Three Stars: Miami at Louisville

The Canes survive a serious road scare to stay undefeated.

The Miami Hurricanes won a crazy shootout on the road against the Louisville Cardinals today, 52-45. Apparently the Canes can’t play a game without giving their entire fan base a giant collective heart attack. My head is still spinning. At least I can watch these two huge SEC games with a smile on my face.

Let’s get to the three stars of the game.

1. Cam Ward

Make it seven games in a row in the top spot for Miami’s signal caller and should-be Heisman front runner. Obligatory ridiculous stat line listing as usual: 21-32, 319 yards, 4 touchdowns, 29 rushing yards. How is Cam Ward not the betting favorite for the Heisman Trophy? He is the best quarterback in the country leading the best offense in the country. He has the best stats of any QB in the country. He can make every throw and has led his team from behind twice, once from a 25-point deficit in the second half. I’ve never had more confidence in a Miami offense. I freaking love rooting for Cam Ward. He’s the man.

2. Xavier Restrepo

X was clutch again today. His 64-yard catch and run late in the third quarter was incredible. His touchdown reception was really nice as well. Also, it wouldn’t be a Miami conference game without X converting an important second half fourth down. I think I’ve run out of superlatives to describe Restrepo. He’s made so many appearances in my Three Stars articles the past couple years. X is now second in career receptions and somewhere in the top five in career receiving yards at Miami (I’m too tired of holding my son and watching Miami to look it up). I do know he should break both records by season’s end. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Xavier Restrepo is a true ‘Cane and one of the best to ever put on the Miami Orange and Green.

3. Reuben Bain Jr.

You can see Bain getting more comfortable the more snaps he’s on the field. He is getting back to looking like he did last season when he was Freshman All-American. Bain had a big sack today in the fourth quarter when Louisville had to throw the ball. He was getting consistent pressure in the second half; love to see that. Miami should be causing havoc on third downs when they put Bain, Tyler Baron, Simeon Barrow Jr., and Akheem Mesidor out there on the defensive line. Those are four legit pass rushers. With how the back end has been playing lately, Bain is going to have to step up his game and become a force in opponents’ backfields going forward.

Honorable mention:

Sam Brown Jr. – Brown has had some drops this season, but he came up with some huge catches today. Three grabs for 125 yards and a touchdown. Canes fans will take that all day.

Damien Martinez – Miami’s big transfer running back needs to be mentioned if just for his fourth quarter touchdown run. That was true beast mode. Martinez finished with 12 carries for 89 yards.

Who were your three stars of the game? Let us know in the comments below.

GO CANES!