Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
King and fast-paced offense shine in ’Canes’ 1st fall camp scrimmage
In the first glimpse of offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee’s fast-paced attack with Miami Hurricanes playmakers in a game-like setting, it appears the UM offense outshined the defense in the team’s first fall camp scrimmage on Sunday night.
Quarterback D’Eriq King, the star grad transfer from Houston, threw four touchdown passes, according to information released by Miami on the scrimmage that was closed to the media. King completed 15 of 26 pass attempts for 178 yards.
“D’Eriq King, his ability to make plays — four touchdown passes, plays with his feet — really, really ignited our offense and really got them going,” Hurricanes coach Manny Diaz said.
Both freshman running backs had solid outings, with Deerfield Beach alum Jaylan Knighton carrying 10 times for 126 yards and a touchdown, and Donald Chaney Jr. going for 57 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries.
“They both have had a great camp, so it just made sense and they’d have a great night tonight,” Diaz said. “Both guys had explosive runs. Chaney had some good, hard runs on some short-yardage stuff and both of them had the ability when they got out in the open field to make things happen.”
Junior tight end Will Mallory led the pass catchers with four receptions for 71 yards and a touchdown. Senior receiver Michael Harley hauled in a pair of touchdowns, while freshmen Michael Redding III (3 catches, 41 yards) and Xavier Restrepo (2 catches, 54 yards) also flashed. Restrepo added a 70-yard touchdown run.
“What I was pleased with was the operation for a first time out as a scrimmage,” Diaz said. “Your pre-snap penalties, guys lining up the wrong way, just not knowing what to do, I thought we were outstanding in that.
“I thought coach Lashlee and the staff did a great job of getting his guys prepared. I’m sure they’ll watch the film and realize they can be so much better, but again, just in terms of functioning in a scrimmage setting for the first time out and not having a spring, I was very impressed.”
Safety Gurvan Hall led all defenders with seven tackles. Linebackers Sam Brooks and Waynmon Steed and freshman defensive end Chantz Williams each added five. Williams had a pair of sacks, while freshman linebacker Corey Flagg had a sack and fellow freshman Marcus Clarke, a cornerback, recorded an interception.