Cam Ward was outstanding once again, passing for 346 yards and five touchdowns before being replaced early in the second half as No. 10 Miami built up impressive numbers in a 62-0 victory over Ball State on Saturday night.
Miami (3-0) gained 750 yards compared to Ball State’s 115, setting a new school record for yards in a single game. This win was the largest shutout against an FBS opponent in the Hurricanes’ history, surpassing the 61-0 win over Rutgers in 2001.
Ward has now had three consecutive games with 300 or more passing yards to start the season. He threw two touchdown passes to Xavier Restrepo and also connected with Jacolby George, Elijah Arroyo, and Chris Johnson Jr. for other touchdown passes for the Hurricanes.
“It’s good for everybody to lock in, prepare the right way,” Ward said. “It’s good to see.”
Ward’s five-touchdown game was the 10th by a Miami quarterback, just one short of the school record of six touchdowns set by Jarren Williams against Louisville in 2019.
This game also happened during the weekend when Miami marked the 35th anniversary of their 1989 national title-winning team, which included a young offensive lineman named Mario Cristobal, now the Hurricanes’ coach.
“There was some natural pressure,” Cristobal said. “They better play well in front of my guys.”
The 2024 team did not disappoint. They have scored 159 points so far this season, the most by any Miami team through three games.
Ajay Allen had a 56-yard touchdown run on the first play of the fourth quarter for Miami. Elija Lofton caught a 40-yard touchdown pass from Emory Williams—who went 11 of 12 for 161 yards in relief—and Jordan Lyle had a late rushing score for Miami.
Kadin Semonza completed 16 of 26 passes for 111 yards for Ball State (1-1). The Cardinals fell to 0-9 all-time against Top 10 teams and were shut out for the first time since a 42-0 loss to Temple on October 8, 2011.
“There’s not a lot of positives to bring out of tonight,” Ball State coach Mike Neu said.
