MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. ran for 106 yards and powered through for three touchdowns — the first three-score game of his college career — as No. 9 Miami bounced back from its first loss of the season with a 42-7 win over Stanford on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium.

The Hurricanes (6-1) entered the night eager to prove themselves after last week’s 24-21 loss to Louisville.

Miami started slowly, trailing 7-0 early, but found their rhythm behind Fletcher’s bruising runs and a defense that forced two turnovers and held the Cardinal scoreless after the first quarter.

Stanford (3-5) struck first when quarterback Ben Gulbranson found receiver Caden High for a 9-yard touchdown pass in the opening period.

But after that, Miami’s defense tightened up, and the offense began to find balance through the air and on the ground.

Quarterback Carson Beck connected with receiver CJ Daniels on a 5-yard fade route late in the second quarter to tie the game 7-7 going into halftime.

The Hurricanes took complete control of the game in the third quarter.

A 31-yard punt return by Malachi Toney set Miami up in Stanford territory, and Fletcher punched in a 1-yard run to give Miami its first lead of the game, 14-7.

Moments later, linebacker Wesley Bissainthe intercepted Gulbranson and returned the ball to the 3-yard line, setting up Fletcher’s second touchdown — a 3-yard plunge that extended the lead to 21-7.

But Fletcher wasn’t done.

On Miami’s next possession, he powered through tacklers for two first downs before capping the drive with another short yardage touchdown, his third of the night, putting Miami up 28-7 late in the third quarter.

It marked Fletcher’s first career game with three touchdowns, a milestone that came after weeks of frustration for a Miami rushing attack that managed just 63 yards on 24 carries in the 24-21 loss to Louisville.

Hurricanes running back Jordan Lyle added one of the finishing touches in the fourth quarter with a 17-yard touchdown run, his first of the season, as Miami closed out a dominant second half.

The Hurricanes’ defense also made a statement, holding Stanford to fewer than 150 total yards and forcing two turnovers.

Miami defensive end Armondo Blount recorded a key sack, while cornerback Xavier Lucas came away with the second interception of the game to halt a Cardinal drive.

Toney continued to be a spark for Miami’s special teams, returning punts of 31 and 42 yards to help set up scoring drives. He also hauled in 5 catches for 52 yards.

Gulbranson almost threw his third interception of the game to Kamal Banner but his pass on fourth down ended up incomplete.

Girard Pringle Jr. scored a 3-yard rushing touchdown in the game’s final 30 seconds to give the Miami a 42-7 lead over Stanford.

Emory Williams took over for Beck with six minutes left in the game. Beck finished the game by completing 21 of 28 passes for 189 yards, 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions.

It was a comeback performance for Beck who threw four interceptions in last week’s loss to Louisville.

The win improves Miami to 6-1 overall and a 2-1 conference record.

Up next:

Miami travels to Gerald J. Ford Stadium to face SMU (5-3, 3-1 ACC) next Saturday.

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