No. 19 Miami emphatically whipped Pittsburgh 31-3 Thursday night at Heinz Field.

From the opening drive, the Hurricanes (2-1) played at a faster pace than the Panthers. Damien Berry’s 1-yard touchdown run capped a quick 10-play, 80-yard drive that put Miami up 7-0 early in the first quarter. The Hurricanes took a 10-0 lead into halftime, but it could have been worse. Quarterback Jacory Harris threw two interceptions in the first half--his fifth and sixth of the season--including one in the Pittsburgh end zone.

It didn’t matter. The Panthers (1-2) couldn’t do anything against Miami’s defense. Pittsburgh didn’t pick up its initial first down until late in the second quarter. Dave Wannstedt's team turned the ball over three times and had little success on the ground. Quarterback Tino Sunseri completed 8-of-14 passes for 61 yards and was pulled for backup Pat Bostick in the fourth quarter.

Playing their first game without defensive leader Greg Romeus (back surgery), the Panthers struggled to slow down Miami’s offense. Harris had ample time to look downfield to his talented receiving corps. He connected with Leonard Hankerson on a 19-yard toucdown pass push the lead to 17-0 early in the third quarter. Harris finished 21 of 32 for 248 yards and two touchdowns.

Pittsburgh had a chance to get back in the game early in the fourth quarter, but Miami capitalized on a muffed punt and put the game away with a Harris-to-Travis Benjamin touchdown pass that made it 24-3 with 10:53 to play. Lamar Miller's short touchdown run accounted for the final score.

Miami travels to Clemson to open ACC play on Oct 2. Pittsburgh will try to bounce back at home against Florida International on Oct. 2