Miami (Fla.) 34, Florida Atlantic 6: Duke Johnson rushed for a career-high 186 yards and a score and Herb Waters added a 63-yard touchdown run as the Hurricanes opened their season with a comfortable win over the visiting Owls.

Johnson, the runner-up to Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd for preseason ACC Player of the Year, is already nearly 20 percent of the way to his 2012 rushing total. The electrifying sophomore ran for 947 yards last season and began this season with a 53-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter.

Stephen Morris threw for 160 yards and a touchdown for Miami, which is looking to build on its 7-5 record from last season. The Hurricanes, who did not play in the ACC title game or a bowl game last season due to self-imposed sanctions, have eight days to prepare for next Saturday's showdown against No. 10 Florida.

Waters broke open the game with his touchdown on a reverse with 4:43 left in the third quarter. Miami's Dallas Crawford capped the scoring with a 4-yard run late in the period.

Florida Atlantic converted just 6-of-19 third downs in its first game as a member of Conference USA. Jaquez Johnson and Greg Hankerson combined to go 16-of-31 for 117 yards for the Owls, while their rushing attack needed 43 attempts to rush for 133 yards.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Florida Atlantic dropped to 1-26 all-time against teams from BCS conferences. … Miami’s offense produced five plays of at least 30 yards. … The Hurricanes’ defense, which allowed more yards (5,837) and points (366) than any team in school history in 2012, had not held an opponent to six points or fewer since a 6-3 win over South Florida on Nov. 19, 2011.