TAMPA — Cam Ward’s second interception in a Miami uniform wasn’t his fault, but the Hurricanes quarterback didn’t flinch.

On Miami’s second possession of Saturday night’s game at USF, Jacolby George hauled in a pass from Ward as he ran over the middle, then lost the ball while trying to put it away. The ball bounced right into the waiting hands of a USF defensive back. Three plays later, the Bulls were in the end zone and Miami trailed for the first time this season.

“(I told him) don’t worry about it,” Ward said. “I told him he’s got to make it right before the end of the season, he’s got to give one back. JG is one of the best receivers in the country. I’m going to get back to him. Next week he’ll probably be in the same position, he’ll make the same play and he’ll catch the ball and he’ll score. I’m not too worried about that. All that matters at the end of the day is the win. And that’s all we can be thankful for.”

The pick was not costly. Miami’s deficit lasted five minutes and five seconds off the game clock before Ward made up for it with his 12th touchdown pass of the season. After USF regained the lead with a field goal, Ward got it back 40 seconds later with a 76-yard touchdown strike to Sam Brown.

The Hurricanes never trailed again, collecting 574 total yards in a 50-15 victory over the Bulls.

You can criticize the quality of Miami’s first three non-conference opponents (faltering Florida, FCS Florida A&M, MAC outfit Ball State) all you want, but opponent No. 4 was the same USF team that trailed fourth-place Alabama 21-16 with six minutes left in Tuscaloosa two weeks ago.

After gaining 206 rushing yards at Alabama, the Bulls were limited to 62 yards on 32 attempts at home.

The Turnover Chain made a brief cameo at the end of the evening… photo.twitter.com/Rkgijb2EyG

— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) September 22, 2024

Mario Cristobal’s team isn’t perfect. The Hurricanes had far too many penalties in the first half (finishing with 11 for 113 yards), and USF’s up-tempo offense gave them trouble in the first two quarters. Ward also missed a number of open receivers. And if it weren’t for a school-record 91-yard touchdown run by freshman Jordan Lyle late in the game, the Hurricanes’ rushing totals (170 yards on 28 attempts) would have been a thorn in the side of the stat sheet.

But after four games, it’s safe to say this: With Ward at quarterback, Miami is explosive enough to beat anyone.

“If you want to make it a boat race, we’re fine with that,” Cristobal said.

Miami’s offense entered Week 4 leading all FBS schools with 32 plays of 20 yards or more. It produced five more against the Bulls en route to reaching the 50-point mark for the third straight game. Its worst offensive performance yet? Forty-one points in a season-opening blowout of rival Florida in Gainesville.

And the Hurricanes’ ability to light up the scoreboard could come in very handy, as the other scores in the ACC this weekend show:

None of those five ACC teams are on Miami’s schedule, but two of the league’s four remaining undefeated teams — Louisville and Duke — are. To reach the 12-team College Football Playoff, you’d likely have to finish the regular season at 12-0 or 11-1 and win the ACC title game.

Right now, the only game on the schedule where Miami likely isn’t the favorite is the trip to Louisville on Oct. 19. But the Cardinals will have to survive a series of games at Notre Dame, SMU and Virginia in the coming weeks without taking too much damage first.

By then, Ward and Miami could have a lot more people believing that The U is back. That’s how it felt Saturday to the large chorus of Canes fans who made the trip to Tampa and sang a familiar song as Bulls fans left Raymond James Stadium.

Miami Hurricanes fans are singing again… photo.twitter.com/OUEonwJurV

— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) September 22, 2024

The Hurricanes open ACC play next Friday at home against Virginia Tech, and as the quality of the competition increases, they like their chances.

“I would say the best part of it all is that our guys are excited to work,” Cristobal said. “The conversation is about coming back, waking up and getting ready for the conference. Nobody is satisfied. We’re excited about the progress. We’re excited and driven, but we really just want to get back to work.”

(Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck / Imagn Images)