MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. _ Three weeks ago, the Miami Hurricanes took the field for their season opener knowing they faced questions.
Though Miami won that game, Hurricane Irma threatened South Florida days later, and threw the Hurricanes season into disarray, forcing the cancellation of one game and the postponement of another.
And on Saturday afternoon, when No. 14 Miami returned to the field for the first time since Irma, a high-flying, high-scoring Toledo team arrived at Hard Rock Stadium hoping to capitalize not only on some of Miami's issues, but the extended layoff that, at times, made the Hurricanes look rusty.
But after enduring some early scares that included their star running back dealing with an ankle injury and an experienced opposing quarterback targeting their inexperienced secondary, the Hurricanes bounced back, found their rhythm and rallied for an emotional 52-30 win over the Rockets.
It was Miami's first game since that Sept. 2 opener against Bethune-Cookman and entering the game, both Hurricanes players and coaches stressed they wanted to play well for a community that dealt with extended power outages, damaged homes and business and weeks of Irma-induced turmoil.
Throughout much of the first half, though, the Hurricanes (2-0) looked as sluggish as one might have thought.
Though the Hurricanes built a 10-0 first quarter lead on the strength of a 44-yard Mark Walton touchdown and a 19-yard Michael Badgley field goal, Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside _ a senior already generating NFL buzz _ picked apart Miami's defense throughout the second quarter.
Woodside, who entered the game coming off a six-touchdown performance against Tulsa last week, completed 13 of 26 for 213 yards in the first half, his 37-yard touchdown to Jon'Vea Johnson with 3:30 left in the first half giving Toledo a 13-10 lead.
The Rockets, who converted on 10-of-14 third-down opportunities in the first half, extended that lead just before halftime with Jameson Vest connecting on a 32-yard field goal, his third of the day.
Most of the second quarter was an exercise in frustration for Miami, which allowed 16 unanswered points and struggled offensively after Walton left the game with an ankle injury.
Walton, who had 137 rushing yards before he was hurt, returned late in the third quarter, but during his second-half absence, back-up running back Travis Homer put the Hurricanes back on top for good, his 12-yard touchdown with 5:36 left in the quarter capping an eight-play, 91-yard drive that lasted 2:54.
It was in that quarter, too, that quarterback Malik Rosier began connecting with his receivers.
Rosier was 8 of 14 in the quarter for 189 yards, his 10-yard touchdown pass to Dayall Harris just before the end of the third putting Miami ahead 24-16 after Badgley's extra point.
Rosier, named Miami's starter in late August after his former roommate Brad Kaaya bypassed his senior year to enter the NFL draft, continued playing well into the fourth quarter, connecting with both Braxton Berrios and Chris Herndon on touchdown passes that pushed Miami's lead to 38-16 lead.
Rosier finished 27 of 36 for 333 yards with three touchdowns, and despite his injury, Walton had a career-high 204 yards on 11 carries.
But Woodside and Toledo _ who against Tulsa rallied from a 21-point deficit _ made a late push.
First, Diontae Johnson caught a 6-yard pass from Woodside early in the quarter and later, the Rockets pulled within one possession midway through the fourth after Rosier made a costly miscue, an errant throw getting picked off by Rockets (3-1) safety Jordan Williams deep in Miami territory.
One play later, Woodside hit Johnson again, this time on an 8-yard touchdown that cut Miami's lead to 38-30 with 7:37 left.
Rosier, though, bounced back on the next drive, leading a 5-play, 75-yard drive that culminated when he scampered through the Toledo defense for a 23-yard touchdown run that put Miami back on top by two touchdowns.
Miami, which has now won seven straight dating back to last season, will travel to Durham for its ACC opener against Duke on Friday night.
