MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — No. 5 Miami held a commanding 28-6 lead over No. 18 South Florida at halftime Saturday, extending its early-season dominance after play resumed following a 102-minute lightning delay at Hard Rock Stadium.
Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck continued his hot start, completing 13 of 17 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns and an interception in the first half.
He opened the game by connecting with Tony Johnson for 13 yards and then found Joshua Moore in the end zone for the first score of the contest.
Moore added a second touchdown later in the opening quarter on a 39-yard reception, giving the Hurricanes a 14-3 advantage.
South Florida answered with a field goal after quarterback Byrum Brown scrambled for a first down and completed a key pass to Chad Nimrod, moving the Bulls to Miami’s 12-yard line. Kicker Gramatica’s 28-yard attempt cut the deficit to 14-6.
Miami responded immediately on its next possession. Beck found Mark Fletcher for a 20-yard gain in the flat, and on the following play, Fletcher broke free for a 38-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 21-6.
A defensive stand forced South Florida into a three-and-out, and Beck later capped a short-field drive with a quarterback keeper into the end zone, pushing Miami’s advantage to 28-6.
Miami’s defense also made its presence felt.
Freshman safety Bryce Fitzgerald recorded an interception, his second of the season and career.
Another eye-popping stat for Miami is the Hurricanes out-rushed the Bulls 131-18 in the first half.
Linebacker Chase Smith and defensive tackle Ahmad Moten helped Miami stop South Florida on a critical third down, while cornerback Xavier Lucas nearly added a second interception on a pass from Brown late in the half.
Other key contributors included Joshua Moore, who finished the first half with two receptions for 47 yards and two touchdowns, and Mark Fletcher, who had 73 yards on eight carries and a score.
After a brief error from Beck, who threw his first interception of the season to Jarvis Lee Jr., Miami maintained control and led 28-6 as the teams headed to the locker rooms.
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