Hurricanes Rock Clemson

     The University of Miami Hurricanes blitzed the Clemson University Tigers 41-13 at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. It was a battle between two schools that were tied for first place in the ACC standings entering into this contest. 

     Miami(5-0, 3-0) rapidly took a 7-0 lead at the 13:05 mark of the opening quarter. Quarterback Darian Mensah tossed a 61-yard touchdown screen pass to wide receiver Cooper Barkate on the right side. 

     Jake Weinberg kicked a 50-yard field goal with 3:11 remaining in the first to expand the Canes lead to 10-0. Clemson(3-2, 2-1) responded with a 48-yard field goal by Nolan Hauser with four seconds to go in the first to make it 14-6.

     In the second quarter, the Hurricanes made it 17-6 at 13:42. Mensah rushed into the end zone on a 34-yard touchdown run. He carried it to the four-yard line, fumbled it and recovered the ball in the end zone for the score. The Tigers had to settle on a Hauser 29-yard field goal with no time left in the second and they trailed 17-6 at halftime. 

     The Canes increased their lead to 24-6 with 1:51 remaining in the third quarter. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. raced through the left side of the offensive line from two yards away. 

     Miami extended it to 27-6 just 12 seconds into the final quarter. Weinberg was able to boot a 24-yard field goal. 

     The Tigers cut the deficit to 27-13 at the 12:09 mark of the fourth. Running back Gideon Davidson busted up the middle into the end zone from two yards out. 

     It became a 21-point margin again for the Hurricanes 34-13 with 6:14 left in the fourth quarter. Fletcher plunged up the middle from one yard for his second touchdown of the contest. 

     Clemson quarterback Tait Reynolds would later throw an interception. It was returned 39 yards by Miami defensive back J.J. Dunnigan to the end zone for a touchdown and the Canes led 41-13 with 1:49 to go in the fourth.