Miami ran away with a 50-15 win at USF on Saturday. What does the 4-0 start mean for Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes?

After a tug-of-war in the first half, No. 8 Miami (4-0) pulled away in the second half and notched a 50-15 win over upstart USF (2-2), which has proven its mettle in closely fought games against both UM and Alabama. The Hurricanes are 6-1 all-time against the Bulls.

After years of false starts and false hope ending in Miami mediocrity, it’s time to take the No. 8 Hurricanes seriously. Not just as the ACC favorites. Not just as contenders to make the expanded College Football Playoff.

Miami, aided by a pair of big third-down conversions and four USF penalties, marched 75 yards down the field on its opening drive, with running back Damien Martinez capping it with a 2-yard rushing touchdown. Martinez also had a 14-yard catch-and-run on a third down midway through the drive.

Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward is not short on athleticism, but he chooses to wait for options to develop in UM’s talented passing game instead of taking off and running.

Fueled by three total rushing touchdowns by Damien Martinez, including two in the second half, and another stellar performance from quarterback Cam Ward, No. 8 Miami pulled away from USF and left Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium with a 50-15 road win.

The No. 8 Miami Hurricanes continued their torrid start to the season with a 50-15 blowout of the USF Bulls on Saturday at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium to improve to 4-0 on the season.

Cam Ward throws for 404 yards and three touchdowns. And the Hurricanes score 50 points for a third consecutive game.