Hurricanes, Orangemen Set for Showdown : Miami: Torretta keeps getting better as future for Temple’s Berndt keeps looking bleaker, 48-0.

The Miami Hurricanes were supposed to win easily, and Gino Torretta made sure they did.

Continuing his late charge in the Heisman Trophy race, Torretta threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns Saturday to help top-ranked Miami defeat lowly Temple, 48-0.

The Hurricanes (9-0) extended the nation’s longest winning streak to 27 games and won their 51st in a row at the Orange Bowl.

A reporter asked Torretta about speculation that he’s the Heisman front-runner.

“Hopefully the popular opinion is right,” Torretta said with a laugh.

“It’s an honor to be mentioned for the award, but I’m not going to change my game plan to try to get the award, because that’s not what our team is all about. Our team is all about winning games and national championships.”

The game was the first for Temple (1-9) since reports last week that the school plans to fire Coach Jerry Berndt after the season. Clemson defensive coordinator Ron Dickerson confirmed that he has interviewed for the job.

“It was one of the most difficult weeks of my life,” Berndt said.

Torretta completed 16 of 23 passes, including nine in a row in the first half. Lamar Thomas had four catches for 116 yards.

Torretta extended his string of passes without an interception to 122, breaking the school record of 116 held by George Mira and Vinny Testaverde. He has 11 touchdown passes and no interceptions in the last four games.