Syracuse Feels the Wrath of Miami, 49-0 : Big East: Hurricanes, on heels of loss to Florida State, prove that they are still a ‘beast’ to contend with.

Sophomore Ryan Collins played well in his first career start for Miami, but it was the Hurricanes’ running attack and defense that doomed Syracuse to a 49-0 Big East Conference defeat at Miami.

The Orangemen suffered their worst loss in a decade and their first shutout in nine years.

The sixth-ranked Hurricanes were playing their first game since a 28-10 loss at No. 1 Florida State.

“People doubted us,” defensive end Kevin Patrick said. “They said we’re not the beast of the East anymore. Well, we’re still there. We’re not just the beast of the East; we’re the beast of the nation.”

Patrick and company sacked Marvin Graves four times and harried him into three interceptions. Terris Harris picked off two passes, and defensive end Kenny Holmes returned an interception 11 yards for a touchdown.

“In my wildest dreams, I didn’t imagine the score being what it was,” Graves said. “It’s just embarrassing. I never lost like this in my life.”

Miami rushed for 259 yards, its most in three years. James Stewart led the way with 96 yards and two touchdowns in 10 carries. Larry Jones carried eight times for 68 yards and one score.

The Hurricanes, 5-1 overall and 3-0 in the Big East Conference, won their 54th in a row at the Orange Bowl, three shy of Alabama’s NCAA record for the longest home winning streak.

Collins, chosen this week to replace struggling junior Frank Costa in the starting lineup, completed 16 of 20 passes for 207 yards, with one touchdown and one interception.

Syracuse (4-2-1, 1-2), averaging 29 points and 447 yards per game, never got untracked. The Hurricanes limited Graves to 32 yards total offense, 260 yards below his average. He completed six of 20 passes for 59 yards.