Cam Ward, No. 8 Miami Beat USF as CFB Fans Mesmerized By QB amid Heisman Trophy Race

Miami quarterback Cam Ward continued his pursuit of the Heisman Trophy by throwing for three touchdowns and more than 400 yards in Saturday night's win over South Florida.

After one of his passes bounced off his receiver and was intercepted during the Hurricanes' second drive of the game, Ward bounced back to finish the night with 404 yards on 24-of-34 passing.

Ward and the Hurricanes won 50-15 to open the 2024 season with four straight wins.

Ward followed up his early pick with a six-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Horton on Miami's following possession late in the first quarter.

In the final minutes of the half the Hurricanes quarterback connected with Samuel Brown for a 76-yard catch-and-run touchdown, then found Damien Martinez for the two-point conversion.

Ward put the game out of USF's reach with a five-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Restrepo in the final eight minutes of the fourth quarter.

Amid an injury to Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers, Ward is an early candidate for the Heisman Trophy. The award last went to a Hurricanes player following Gino Torretta's senior season in 1992.

Ward previously declared for the 2024 NFL draft, but chose instead to transfer from Washington State to Miami for his final year of college eligibility.

The B/R NFL Scouting Department projected Ward as a first-round pick by the time the 2025 draft rolls around, and his stock could be set to climb higher still this fall.

Three USF quarterbacks combined for 303 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions in the loss. Miami overall gained 574 total yards of offense while allowing 365.

For the second season in a row Miami has opened the season with a 4-0 record heading into conference play.

This time fans believe the Hurricanes have a better shot at winning the ACC for the first time since the team joined the conference prior to the 2004 season.

Ward will look to continue his Heisman campaign and the Hurricanes' so-far undefeated season as Miami returns home next weekend to open ACC play on Friday against Virginia Tech.