RUSTON, Louisiana (Ticker) -- It doesn't say much for Louisiana Tech, but Miami isn't where it wants to be.
Cornerback Antrel Rolle returned a punt and interception for touchdowns, highlighting the third-ranked Hurricanes' 48-9 rout of Louisiana Tech in the season opener for both teams.
Miami jumped to a 14-0 lead in the opening five minutes before stumbling. The Bulldogs were within 14-3 and had the ball at the Hurricanes 18 after a 57-yard completion midway through the second quarter, but Ralph Davis fumbled.
Linebacker D.J. Williams scooped up the ball and sprinted 78 yards untouched for one of his team's three defensive touchdowns, giving Miami (1-0) a 21-3 lead. Louisiana Tech never got closer.
Despite the lopsided score, Hurricanes coach Larry Coker wasn't too impressed, especially with their home opener against Florida coming up next week. Their schedule also includes Florida State, Virginia Tech and Tennessee.
"We know we have a lot of tough opponents down the road," Coker said. "I like what I saw, but we are not there yet. We have to do a lot better and improve to get where we need to be."
Rolle scampered 66 yards on a punt return to give Miami a 14-0 lead just five minutes into the game. He also helped put the finishing touches on Louisiana Tech (0-1), racing 30 yards on an interception for a 38-6 bulge with 1:54 left in the third quarter.
Runner-ups last season in their quest for a repeat national championship, the Hurricanes showed off a typically athletic defense, which forced three turnovers and came up with three sacks.
"They had a great pass rush and defense," Bulldogs coach Jack Bicknell said. "They just line up against you in man and say, `Try to beat us.'"
The offense also looked sharp, with Brock Berlin completing 14-of-28 passes for 203 yards with two TDs and an interception. It was the much-anticipated Miami debut for Berlin, a Florida transfer and Louisiana native.
Frank Gore, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, ran 21 times for 118 yards, leading Miami's dominating rushing attack. The Hurricanes had 192 yards on the ground to only 98 for Louisiana Tech.
Luke McCown was 16-of-26 for 195 yards with a pair of interceptions for the Bulldogs (0-1), who had three of the game's four turnovers. They amassed 310 yards of total offense while Miami rolled up 467.
"You have to get your running game going against a team like that," Bicknell said.
After Miami's quick start, which opened with Berlin's 24-yard TD pass to Ryan Moore 2:35 into the game, Josh Scobee got the Bulldogs on the board with a 35-yard field goal, making it 14-3 with 1:03 left in the first quarter.
Louisiana Tech got back the ball at its own 25 with 8:36 left in the second and McCown immediately found Erick Franklin with a 57-yard pass. But Davis fumbled at the line of scrimmage and Williams went the distance for a TD.
Davis said there was a problem with the exchange. McCown disagreed.
"I thought I put it right in his gut," McCown said. "But he said he never felt it. I don't know, I'd love to see that on tape."
The rest of the game was a highlight reel for Miami.
After the teams exchanged field goals, tight end Kellen Winslow Jr. leaped over a defensive back to haul in a six-yard TD, making it 31-6 with 3:28 left in the third quarter.
Just 1:32 later, Rolle stepped in front of a pass by McCown and ran 30 yards for a 38-6 cushion. Rolle is part of a secondary corps that returned all four starters this season.
"I thought they were great," Bicknell said. "As good of DBs as a group that I've seen since I've been head coach."
Jarrett Payton, the son of late NFL legend Walter Payton, got into the act with a four-yard touchdown run, increasing the lead to 45-6 with 13:13 remaining.
The teams exchanged field goals over the final 8:46. One of the only positive signs for the Bulldogs was the foot of Scobee, a Lou Groza candidate who hit all three of his attempts, from 35, 27 and 52 yards.
