Miami quarterback Cam Ward led the Hurricanes to a dominant 41-17 victory over the Florida Gators in their season opener, showcasing his impressive passing skills and delivering a message to the Gators faithful.
The Miami Hurricanes made their presence felt in the Swamp on Saturday, trouncing the Florida Gators 41-17 in a resounding victory. Led by quarterback Cam Ward, the Hurricanes' offense put on an impressive display, showcasing their aerial prowess.
Ward, making his debut for the Hurricanes after transferring from Washington State, showcased his elite passing skills, amassing 385 yards and three touchdowns. His precision and decision-making kept the Gators' defense on their heels, resulting in a quarterback rating of 95.7.
Miami Hurricanes Outplay Florida Gators in Season Opener
As the game progressed, Ward's confidence grew, and he couldn't resist a subtle jab at the Gators faithful who had attempted to intimidate the Hurricanes with their cheers.
"Advice to the fans: If you're going to be loud, you have to be loud when we're huddling," Ward said. "You can't just be loud once we break the huddle. By that time, it's no point. We hear the play and we've communicated already."
Miami Hurricanes Outplay Florida Gators in Season Opener
Ward's words echoed the sentiment of many who felt the Gators' crowd lacked the intensity and volume of other stadiums he had experienced.
"I played at USC. USC wasn't packed, but it was louder than this," Ward said. "I played at Oregon and it was louder than this. The Pac-12 gets misspoken for. The Pac-12, that's where I believe real football is played. . . . Washington was one of the loudest environments I've played (in)."
Miami Hurricanes Outplay Florida Gators in Season Opener
Ward's emergence as a star quarterback for the Hurricanes is a testament to the team's success in recruiting top talent. Considered to be NFL-ready, Ward has the potential to become the first Hurricanes quarterback selected within the first three rounds of the draft since Steve Walsh in 1989.
With Ward at the helm, the Hurricanes offense is poised for a successful season. Their next challenge will come on home turf as they host Florida A&M next week.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
