Miami beats Stanford 42-7 to reach bowl eligibility

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — No. 9 Miami rebounded from its first loss of the season with a 42-7 victory over Stanford on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium, handing the Cardinal their first road loss to a ranked opponent this year and moving the Hurricanes to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play.

Miami’s ground attack and defense decided the game after a scoreless stretch for the Hurricanes in the first half. Junior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed 23 times for 106 yards and three touchdowns, his first career three-touchdown game. Fletcher’s third-quarter burst put Miami ahead for good and moved him into the top 10 on the school’s career rushing touchdown list. The Hurricanes finished with 199 rushing yards and 404 total yards, their highest output against a Power 4 opponent this season.

The contest was tied 7-7 at halftime after Stanford opened with a 74-yard drive capped by a 9-yard touchdown pass from Ben Gulbranson. Miami took control in the third quarter, scoring 21 points on short touchdown drives following two interceptions and two long punt returns by freshman Malachi Toney. Linebacker Wesley Bissainthe intercepted Gulbranson and returned the ball to the...