Miami delivered an emphatic statement in college football on September 30, 2023, defeating the USF Bulls 49-12 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The No. 5 Hurricanes showcased their dominance, particularly after the Bulls had garnered attention for their unexpected victories over ranked teams earlier in the season.
The Hurricanes’ performance was marked by a commanding offensive display, totaling 576 yards and effectively neutralizing USF’s dual-threat quarterback Byrum Brown. Miami held Brown to 274 yards passing and just 2 yards rushing while scoring seven touchdowns. By the fourth quarter, with a comfortable lead, backup quarterback Emory Williams stepped in to close out the game.
Miami’s victory marked the largest loss for USF as an Associated Press-ranked team. The Bulls, who opened the season with wins against ranked opponents like Boise State and Florida, struggled to maintain competitiveness against a Hurricanes team that has now defeated USF by 25 points or more in their last four matchups.
Coach Mario Cristobal emphasized the importance of staying focused and not allowing external narratives to influence his team’s performance. “Our guys didn’t want to be part of the narrative of somebody else’s success,” he said. “There was a lot of motivation going into this thing… Intensity, physicality, urgency and discipline all came together very nicely for us tonight.”
Beck Shines in the Spotlight
Quarterback Carson Beck had a standout game, passing for a season-high 340 yards and throwing three touchdown passes, two of which were caught by true freshman Joshua Moore. Beck also demonstrated his versatility by adding a rushing touchdown, becoming the first Miami player in 30 years to record three passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown against an AP-ranked opponent.
While the Hurricanes were focused on improving their own game, Beck remarked on the importance of preparation. “Each opponent is a faceless opponent… Our preparation has just been so good,” he stated, underscoring Miami’s commitment to maintaining high standards regardless of their opponent.
USF coach Alex Golesh took responsibility for his team’s performance, acknowledging that they did not resemble the competitive side they had been earlier in the season. The game was delayed by nearly an hour and a half due to lightning, and at halftime, Miami held a commanding 28-6 lead. Golesh noted, “As a program, we’re going to be in that same exact situation again… we didn’t win in the margins.”
Looking Ahead
Miami’s victory not only solidifies their position as a top contender in college football but also highlights their internal drive to improve week by week, regardless of external expectations. Cristobal pointed out, “The amount of time and effort… supersedes all that stuff.”
With this victory, the Hurricanes continue to build momentum as they head deeper into the season, demonstrating both their offensive prowess and defensive resilience. As for USF, they will need to regroup and focus on returning to their winning form as they learn from this challenging defeat.
