Harris leads Miami to season-opening victory over UAB
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Cam’Ron Harris ran for 134 yards and scored twice to lead Miami to a 31-14 season-opening win over UAB Thursday night.
Harris’ second touchdown from 4 yards late in the third period gave Miami a 24-14 lead after the Blazers of Conference USA got within three on Spencer Brown’s 6-yard run.
Houston graduate transfer D’Eriq King threw for a touchdown and scored one for Miami, which became the first school from a Power 5 conference to begin the game-depleted 2020 season. ACC, SEC and Big 12 schools will play football while the Big Ten and Pac-12 cancelled fall sports because of coronavirus concerns.
“Couldn’t be more proud of our players,” Miami coach Manny Diaz said. “Just everything they did to get us to this day. They did everything we asked during the summer. We kept each other safe. They gave us the opportunity to play today.”
Miami debuted its spread offense under new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee with 337 yards rushing and 493 total offense.
“We have to pass the ball better moving forward,” King said. “But running the ball and keeping the defense off balance is the key to our success.”
King’s 4-yard pass to Brevin Jordan with time expiring in the third quarter gave Miami its final margin.
The Hurricanes snapped a 7-7 tie and took the lead for good on King’s 12-yard run early in the second quarter. Jose Borregales’ 25-yard field goal in the Hurricanes’ first possession of the second half increased their lead to 17-7.
The Blazers (1-1) struck first on Tyler Johnston’s 16-yard pass to Austin Watkins with 2:40 remaining in the first quarter.
The lead was short-lived after Harris’ 66-yard run on the next drive. Miami opted to go for it on a fourth
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