Ferguson Returns To Duty, Leads Miami Past Rutgers

Danyell Ferguson returned from a two-game suspension and woke up a sputtering offense with thirdquarter touchdown runs of 31 and 1 yards, leading No. 10 Miami to a 33-0 victory over Rutgers on Thursday night.

Ryan Clement threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Tony Gaiter in the third quarter as the Hurricanes (3-0) intercepted two passes and scored on three straight possessions to put away Rutgers (1-2).

Miami forced four turnovers, including one on the first play from scrimmage, and each was converted into a touchdown in the Hurricanes’ first shutout on the road since 1967.

Safety Tremain Mack had a fumble recovery and an interception in leading the defensive effort that limited Rutgers’ new West Coast offense to 142 yards, including 24 in the second half. The shutout was the first against the Scarlet Knights since 1990 and the first at Rutgers Stadium since 1973.

Miami, a 25-point favorite, appeared like it would run away from the rebuilding Scarlet Knights in the opening minutes as Mack recovered Melvin Cobbs’ fumble at the Rutgers 32.

Receiver Magic Benton went 22 yards on an end-around on the opening play and tailback Dyral McMillan scored from 10 yards out on the next play, giving the Hurricanes a 6-0 lead after just 35 seconds.

Andy Crosland missed the extra point and that seemed to take the air out of Miami. The Hurricanes threatened once more in the half, but Clement lost a fumble at the Rutgers 6 after being sacked.

Ferguson, who sat out the first two games for accepting the use of a limousine for a night from a former Miami player, got the Hurricanes going by leading an eightplay, 70-yard drive.

Ferguson carried three times for 44 yards.