Crossword Genius

Heard number at university consumed all (3,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ate up

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'consumed all' is the definition.
'ate up' can be an answer for 'consumed' (I've seen this in another clue). I am not sure about the 'all' bit.

'heard number at university' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'heard' could be 'e' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'e' is found in the answer.
'at' is found in the answer.
'university' could be 'u' (abbreviation for university) and 'u' is found in the answer.
A single letter 'p' remains which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ate up that I've seen before include "Squandered" , "preoccupied" , "Absorbed" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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