Quarterback Kyle Wright threw three touchdown passes and backup Kirby Freeman passed for a fourth as the University of Miami (4-2) blew open a close game at the half and went on for a 35-0 victory over FIU in the first city-series game between the two schools.

It was the first time that FIU had been shut out in 46 games, dating back to a 31-0 whitewashing at the hands of Bethune-Cookman back on September 21, 2002, during the program's first year of competition.

Josh Padrick completed 12-of-25 passes and threw a pair of interceptions for the Golden Panthers, who fell to 0-7 entering a bye week before traveling to Alabama on October 28. Julian Reams carried the ball 21 times for 45 yards.

UM managed 279 yards of total offense for the game, 170 of those coming in a 28-point second half, and was limited to only 90 rushing yards on 29 carries, a statistic that wasn't lost on Hurricane head coach Larry Coker.

“It was really a hard-fought football game and I think that FIU has to be proud of the way that they competed,” Coker said. “Our run defense was good, but we didn't run the ball very well. But nobody does against FIU. Statistically, they are one of the best in the country.”

FIU had the first opportunity to score with a third down and five from the six yard line midway through the first quarter, but Padrick's pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by Kenny Phillips in the end zone. The Golden Panthers started the drive with a short field at the Miami 21 after Cory Fleming forced a fumble by Javarris James?UM's first turnover in 115 plays dating back two games.

Miami moved down the field, but missed a 46-yard field goal attempt and the game was scoreless at the end of the first quarter.

UM got another opportunity when a Padrick pass was picked off by Lovon Ponder at the FIU 28. But again the Golden Panthers defense rose to the occasion stopping the drive on a fourth-and-short at the five-yard line. The FIU offense picked up a first down to climb out of a hole but a 20-yard punt by Chris Cook put UM back in business at the Golden Panther 39 with 3:55 left in the half.

That was the break Miami needed. The Hurricanes went the distance on five plays, which ended on an 11-yard TD pass from Wright to wide receiver Lance Leggett in the corner of the end zone with 1:45 remaining in the half.

FIU took the opening kick to begin the second half and moved the ball to midfield before it was forced into a punt that was blocked by Colin McCarthy. It was the first FIU blocked punt in nearly two years that came against McNeese State on October 23, 2004.

A face mask and a roughing the passer penalty helped UM to a first-and-goal from the five and on a second-down play, Wright found James Bryant in the right flank for the score and a 14-0 lead with 9:00 remaining in the third quarter.

That's when a melee ensued that cleared both benches. When order was restored after nearly a 15-minute delay, 13 players in all were ejected, eight from FIU. That seemed to doom any chance of a comeback by the Golden Panthers.

Another FIU offensive miscue led to a third Miami score. Padrick had the ball stripped and fumbled while attempting to pass, setting up the Hurricanes at the Golden Panthers 15-yard line. It took only three plays for Wright to find Chris Zellner for a 1-yard TD pass for a 21-0 UM lead after three quarters.

Miami would add two more scores in the fourth quarter, the first by Leggett, his second of the game, on a seven-yard catch and the second on a 11-yard run by Derron Thomas.

“We had some opportunities and then it all just kind of got away,” said FIU head coach Don Strock. “They are an excellent defense and we couldn't block them in time. We had some guys who weren't quick enough to get through the holes and we had some dropped balls.

“Our defense was very active and we had a plan to bring as much pressure as possible in certain situations. They played hard, but kind of wore down at the end.”