No. 17 Miami runs past No. 18 Louisville in conference opener

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – D’Eriq King threw three touchdown passes and No. 17 Miami used big plays to beat No. 18 Louisville 47-34 on Saturday night in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams.

King threw a 75-yarder touchdown pass to Jaylon Knighton in the third quarter, a series after Cam’Ron Harris ran 75 yards for a score on the way to finishing with 134 yards on nine carries.

Miami (2-0) led 20-6 at halftime before Louisville (1-1) scored twice in a wild third to get within seven. The Hurricanes answered both TDs on their next snap with an unbalanced look against an out-of-place defense, with Knighton wide open for his catch that made it 34-20. Knighton also had a 3-yard TD run in the first half after King threw a 17yard scoring pass to Will Mallory.

The ‘Canes had 10 chunk plays of at least 18 yards, including seven passing.

“We talked about creating more explosive plays through the passing game, which we were able to do,” Miami coach Manny Diaz said, “but we obviously had some through the running game, as well. We can still be so much better. The explosive plays, it was who we wanted to be.”

Said Louisville coach Scott Satterfield, “Just too many big plays. Two two-play drives that went for six. You gotta at least make the offenses drive the ball.”

King also hit Brevin Jordan (seven catches, 120 yards) with a 47-yard TD pass in the fourth to finish with 325 yards on 18-of-30 passing. That spoke volumes about his protection, which allowed the dual-threat QB time to scout the defense and find receivers who were often open.

So much so that King’s nine yards rushing on eight carries were just a footnote on a night his arm helped lead an 86yard TD drive and three others of 75.

“The offensive line played a great game,” he said. “They allowed me to sit in the pocket and throw the ball, and we did pretty good.”

Jose Borregales added four field goals, including first-half kicks of 48 and 57 yards, with the latter breaking the Cardinal Stadium record for an opponent by 6 yards and the overall mark by 5.