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Miami gifted first touchdown of 2024 season after Florida penalty extends drive

Derek Peterson

By Derek Peterson

Published:

Miami scored its first points of the new season on a pitch-and-catch from Cam to Cam.

The Hurricanes’ new quarterback, Cam Ward, found tight end Cam McCormick on a crosser and McCormick walked into the endzone to give Miami an early 7-0 lead over Florida in The Swamp. The Hurricanes marched 84 yards in 11 plays and 5:39 to score on their opening possession of the season.

Ward went 3-for-4 with 24 yards passing on the opening possession. He also had 36 rushing yards on a pair of runs. The touchdown toss was a nifty little flip from Ward, highlighting the experience the Canes’ new quarterback brings to the table. Drifting backward, throwing off his back foot, and he just lofts a catchable ball to an open receiver.

But Ward also had a little help.

A 24-yard run from Ward got Miami down into the red zone before back-to-back incompletions brought up a third-and-10. Ward faced pressure on the third-down throw and fired incomplete but the drive was extended on a roughing the passer call against Florida’s Justus Boone.

Ward hit McCormick for the touchdown 2 plays later.

Florida got the ball to open the game. The Gators gained 11 yards on a pass from Graham Mertz to Eugene Wilson III on the first play from scrimmage and then promptly stalled out.

The 19th-ranked Hurricanes and Gators are battling on ABC. Ward is making his highly-anticipated debut after transferring to The U from Washington State during the offseason. He’s part of a top transfer class that is expected to put Miami in contention for the ACC title and the College Football Playoff in 2024.

Derek Peterson

Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.

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