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'Canes knock off turnover-prone Gators

Sep 7, 2013 - 10:27 PM Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Duke Johnson ran for a two-yard touchdown late in the fourth quarter following one of Florida's five turnovers, and the Miami- Florida Hurricanes held on to beat the mistake-prone 12th-ranked Gators, 21-16, at Sun Life Stadium.

Johnson reached the end zone after Gators quarterback Jeff Driskel lost a fumble on a sack by Tyriq McCord, who recovered the ball at the Florida 4-yard line.

The score gave Miami a 21-9 lead with 3:29 remaining, but Driskel quickly answered with a 21-yard touchdown pass to Solomon Patton.

Miami then punted after recovering an onside kick, giving the ball back to Florida with 28 seconds left. Driskel, though, was sacked on first down to seal the win for the Hurricanes (2-0).

"I'm real proud of the way the guys fought," said Hurricanes head coach Al Golden. "There was nothing easy on that field for either team."

Stephen Morris had 162 yards on 12-of-25 passing and threw a pair of first- quarter touchdowns for Miami, which registered only 10 first downs and was 1- for-11 on third down.

Driskel completed 22-of-33 passes for 291 yards and two interceptions, the second coming five plays after an overthrown pass by Morris in the fourth quarter was picked off.

The Gators (1-1) committed three first-half turnovers, but trailed only 14-6 at the break.

Running back Matt Jones, who missed the opener while recovering from a viral infection, fumbled on the game's first possession, and Morris capitalized on the turnover by hitting Herb Waters for a 7-yard touchdown.

The Hurricanes went three-and-out on their second drive, and Loucheiz Purifoy, one of five Florida players suspended for the opener, blocked the punt to set up Driskel's 9-yard touchdown run. The 2-point conversion failed, however.

Morris then connected with Phillip Dorsett for a 52-yard TD on the sixth play of the ensuing drive, extending Miami's lead with 1:47 left in the first quarter.

Florida reached the red zone on three consecutive series in the second quarter and each time came away without points. Rayshawn Jenkins picked off Driskel at the 4-yard line, the Gators turned the ball over on downs after Driskel was stopped on a QB keeper at the 16 and Trey Burton fumbled after a short grab to derail a nice-looking drive late in the half.

"I thought we did some good things at times, but bottom line is that you cannot continue to shoot yourself in the foot and give someone else the opportunity - especially on the road - and we certainly did that," said Florida head coach Will Muschamp.

Austin Hardin kicked a 33-yard field goal to trim Florida's deficit to 14-9 in the third quarter.

Game Notes

Florida held a 38:20-21:40 advantage in time of possession ... The Gators had started 2-0 in each of their previous eight seasons ... Miami has won seven of the last eight meetings ... These teams met in Miami for the first time since 2003.