Bell Leads No. 5 Florida Past Miami

Kerwin Bell passed for four touchdowns, including two in the fourth quarter, to lead fifth-ranked Florida to a 35-23 victory over Miami Saturday night before 80,227 fans at the Orange Bowl.

The victory was Florida’s 10th straight over two seasons and extended its unbeaten streak to 11 games--the longest in the nation. BYU had its 25-game streak ended Saturday by UCLA.

The victory also avenged the Gators’ only loss last season and improved Coach Galen Hall’s record to 9-0 since replacing Charley Pell during the latter stages of an NCAA investigation that cost the school the Southeastern Conference championship.

“I like to rise to the challenge and be the man with the ball,” Bell said. “It’s great to get the passing game clicking. With great receivers like ours, it makes my job a lot easier.”

Bell’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Ricky Nattiel gave Florida a 28-21 lead with 7:50 remaining. Five minutes later, Bell found Frankie Neal in the left corner of the end zone for his fourth scoring pass.

The final scoring came when Florida punter Ray Criswell ran out of the end zone for a safety with 36 seconds left.

Bell completed 20 of 28 passes for 248 yards.

Trailing, 20-7, at halftime, the Hurricanes came back to take a 21-20 lead as quarterback Vinny Testaverde directed two touchdown drives and the Miami defense held Florida without a first down until 11:40 remained in the game.

Alonzo Highsmith ran three yards for Miami’s first second-half touchdown, and Testaverde--making his first collegiate start--scrambled 13 yards to the end zone, giving the Hurricanes their only lead.

Testaverde, a fourth-year junior, hit 24 of 39 passes for 278 yards and was intercepted twice.