Normally, opposing teams try to fight their way through the Hurricanes defense. Saturday night at Sun Life Stadium, a fan got away with it.

A man appearing to be in his late 20s jumped out of the stands and through the FSU bench before making his way onto the field in the middle of play with a little less than six minutes left in the first quarter.

The fan, wearing a bright orange shirt and blue shorts, ran right between Hurricanes safety Kacy Rodgers and defensive end Shayon Green while they were in hot pursuit of FSU running back Christian Thompson. The tailback picked up 15 yards on the play to convert a third down.

Officials huddled after the play was over and decided the fan on the field had no effect on the play. Before that happened, though, the fan, who came out on the field with his arms raised, ran down to the Hurricanes end zone. He was finally tackled by security and escorted off the field, where he was arrested.

Thompson injured

Thompson, FSU’s top runner, was knocked out of the game with a left leg injury with 12:44 left in the second quarter. Thompson entered the game leading FSU with 640 yards and a 7.8 yard average.

Thompson was injured after making a 32-yard catch and run. He tackled by two Hurricanes at the Miami 45. Thompson was down on the field for a couple minutes before leaving under his own power.

’87 team honored

As part of its 25th anniversary, the Hurricanes’ 1987 national championship team was honored at halftime of Saturday night’s game. About 40 former players and assistant coaches were on hand for the ceremony.

The first 10,000 fans inside Sun Life Stadium were given a free poster in honor of the title team.

Duke returns

A week after being limited in practice with a turf toe injury, Duke Johnson was back on the kickoff return team for the Canes. Johnson handled one kickoff in the first half, but decided to kneel it in the end zone.

Earlier this week, Johnson was one of 12 players named to the 2012 Jet Award Midseason Watch List, which honors the best return specialist in college football. He came in ranked 20th nationally and third in the ACC in kickoff returns, totaling 447 yards and a touchdown on 16 returns.

• Kicker Jake Wieclaw, who came in having missed five of his last six field-goal attempts, booted a 19-yard field goal with 7:32 left in the first quarter — his first make since he hit on a 28-yarder versus Notre Dame.

Gaines starts

Junior Jimmy Gaines earned his first start of the season at middle linebacker for UM and recovered his first career fumble to setup the Canes’ opening score.

Gaines competed all week with sophomore Gionni Paul and redshirt freshman Raphael Kirby for the starting job.

Homecoming

Saturday was Miami’s 78th homecoming game. Going into the game, UM was 50-25-2 in homecoming games. Saturday marked the fourth time that UM hosted FSU for homecoming. Miami was 1-2 in the previous three meetings. The Noles defeated the Canes in 1974 and 1982, before UM won the 2002 game 28-27.

UM coach Al Golden was asked about the Canes choosing the FSU game for their Homecoming opponent.

“There were no cupcakes on the schedule this year,” Golden said. “I have no idea. It really is probably just the way the schedule worked out because Virginia Tech was on a Thursday night and I’m sure they didn’t want to have homecoming in November.”