The Miami Hurricanes continue to prove their legitimacy this season with a gutsy win over the Florida Gators, with a final score of 26-7. It was their ugliest victory thus far, without a doubt, but the team will take it any way they can.
Despite the final results, the game came down to which defense would outperform the other. The Hurricanes did a great job of preventing Gators' quarterback DJ Lagway from establishing any rhythm. He completed only 12 of 23, 52.2 percent, passes for 61 yards.
Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck didn't have an outstanding performance compared to the last three weeks and wasn't as accurate. He completed 17 of 30 passes, 56.7 percent, for 160 yards and one interception. The Gators' defensive line was able to disrupt Beck in the pocket, which led to either overthrows or passes falling short.
However, the Hurricanes found tremendous success in the run game. Both running backs, Mark Fletcher Jr. and CharMar Brown, combined for 249 yards and scored all three of the team's touchdowns.
Despite Florida not being a ranked team, this win was still meaningful for the Hurricanes, especially Beck, who grew up as a Gator fan. Now, they will enter the new week with a bye, allowing them to heal up and rejuvenate for another in-state battle against the Florida State Seminoles.
The latest AP polls were released and the Hurricanes continue to take massive leaps, finishing second in the rankings. Last season, the program's highest ranking was fourth.
The program is gaining tremendous respect from the national media, as it should, because the victories and performances speak for themselves. They leaped over the fourth-ranked Louisiana State Tigers and the third-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions.
The Hurricanes fell behind the Ohio State Buckeyes, who were in a bye week, and will take on the Washington Huskies this upcoming Saturday.
The Hurricanes made a statement on a nationally televised stage, proving that they are a legitimate contender.
If the Seminoles take care of business against the Virginia Cavaliers this Saturday, then another test will be waiting for the Hurricanes.
Mario Cristobal and his staff are doing a tremendous job in getting all players involved and helping them achieve great things on the field.
As the victories continue to stack, it also strengthens the case for Beck as a Heisman trophy candidate, as well as his draft stock.
The Hurricanes will have an advantage of rest and extra time to study film, but they will be ready for action against anyone on the other side of the field.