GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Quarterback Cam Ward made his way toward the Miami tunnel, green-and-orange clad Hurricanes fans screaming to get his attention.
Coach Mario Cristobal stopped him, then directed him to a large contingent that was hollering behind their bench the entire game so Ward could wave and high five.
Nobody could blame the Hurricanes for lingering on the field postgame or for Cristobal for wanting his players to salute the fans. This win meant just a little bit more, on the road, against an in-state rival, in a stadium where Miami last won 22 years ago.