BY SCOTT MORGANROTH
In the days leading up to the Miami Hurricanes vs Florida Gators game on Saturday, August 31, 2024, I was very consistent with my prediction leading up to this state rivalry.
I truly believed that the Hurricanes were going to win the game 27-17.
I figured that the Hurricanes were going to turn the corner in Coach Mario Cristobal’s third season and he landed QB Cam Ward, who was named ACC Preseason Player of the year in a poll of media at the conference’s annual media day in Charlotte, NC.
Ward was also named to the preseason watch list for nearly every major offensive award, including the Maxwell Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and the Davey O’Brien Award.
I also saw Cam at the Spring Game on campus and I was impressed with everything that I saw.
The Miami Hurricanes vs Florida Gators is a unique in state rivalry.
Going into this game, Miami held the series lead 29-27. The Canes and Gators are tied 14-14. In Gainesville, Miami led 12-9. On neutral sites, Florida leads 4-3.
In their last meeting, Florida defeated Miami 24-20 on (7/24/2019 in Orlando).
Prior to this contest, they had met four times in the past 20 years. They played in 2004, 2008, 2013 and 2019.
The Canes were making their first visit to Gainesville since 2008 and opening the season with a true road game for the first time since Louisville in 2014.
Of the 57 total meetings, 27 have been decided by a touchdown or less.
The last time I saw these two teams meet was on September 1, 1984 when the defending National Champions Hurricanes defeated the Gators 32-20 as a sellout crowd in Tampa Stadium, saw new coach Jimmy Johnson earn his first win with Bernie Kosar at QB.
At that time, a close friend of mine bought two tickets from a student, whose car broke down. I was a junior at the University of South Florida.
Ironically, Miami will face USF at Raymond James Stadium on September 21.
This was the first college game ever aired live on ESPN.
During the Canes championship season, Miami’s lone loss was to the Gators under Coach Howard Schnellenberger.
Now 40 years later, the head coach is Mario Cristobal.
The UM alumnus lone matchup vs Florida as head coach occurred on November 21, in 2009 when he was coaching FIU. When you’re a program builder, there are games that are mismatches to collect a big paycheck to fund your athletic program. The Gators thrashed FIU 62-3.
Coaches do remember these things and I mentioned this to Cristobal in his Monday Press Conference in Coral Gables. You can see how he addressed that question in the enclosed video. In fact, check out all the videos in this story.
There is a history between Cristobal and Napier as they were on the same Alabama staff from 2013-2016. Cristobal was in charge of the Tide’s offensive line and Napier led the program’s wide receivers.
What would occur was satisfying on all levels for the 19th ranked Miami Hurricanes as they rolled to a 41-17 win in front of 90,544 fans at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
The Hurricanes dominated in all key categories and Ward put on a show. Ward was 26-35-385 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for 36 yards on three carries.
Miami led in total offense 529-261. The Canes led in passing yardage 385-122. Miami had five rushers that amassed 144 yards. The Canes utilized 10 receivers, led by Xavier Restrepo’s 7-112 and a touchdown.
As for the Gators, six rushers gained 139 yards while the receivers were 6-122. Don’t let the rushing totals fool you because running back Montrell Johnson Jr was 11-106 and had a 71-yard touchdown run.
Cristobal avenged his lone loss to Florida in Gainesville, while Napier watched his squad lose six straight contests leaving the Gators fans extremely restless and nervous.
The loss marked Florida’s first defeat in a home opener since 1989 and set the program record for most points allowed in that contest. Napier said, “They beat us today and I don’t have a ton of excuses.”
The Gators lost starting QB Graham Mertz to a concussion. At the time of his departure Mertz was 11-20- with one interception and 91 yards. He was also sacked three times. DJ Lagway took over and was 3-6- with one interception and 31 yards.
With the openers in the books, the Hurricanes face Florida A&M at Hard Rock Stadium while Florida is looking for its first win against Samford at The Swamp with Lagway at QB.
If you’re wondering when these two teams meet again. It won’t be long as the Gators come to Hard Rock Stadium on September 20, 2025 at Hard Rock Stadium. The only question is whether Napier will have a chance to avenge the loss to Cristobal.
The Hurricanes now lead this series 30-27 and are 13-9 in Gainesville.
Scott Morganroth can be reached at southfloridatribune@gmail.com and you can find him on Twitter/X @TribuneSouth.
To watch Scott’s broadcasts, feel free to Subscribe to the South Florida Tribune YouTube Channel.
Also, he wrote a book, “Lessons From The Microphone“ Tuning Into the Enduring Wisdom of Visionary Leaders. It’s available on Amazon-Kindle and Barnes & Noble.
