WR Ladson builds his case for comeback award
BLACKSBURG, VIRGINIA
Frank Ladson Jr. officially became a nominee for the national Comeback Player of the Year Award last week and the wide receiver built his case Saturday with his best performance as a Miami Hurricane.
Ladson caught five passes for 58 yards and a touchdown in Miami’s 20-14 win against the Virginia Tech Hokies, and his touchdown in the opening three minutes set the tone for the Hurricanes in Blacksburg.
“Frank played a good game,” quarterback Tyler Van Dyke said.
A junior, Ladson transferred to Miami in January after spending his first three years of college with the Clemson Tigers, struggling to carve out a consistent role, partly because of a series of sports hernia injuries. He made the Comeback Player of the Year watch list Wednesday.
He was, however, an elite recruit out of Homestead South Dade in the Class of 2019, and the return home to South Florida has been rejuvenating for the 6-foot-3, 205pound wideout. He’s now up to 21 catches and 215 yards this season — just three catches and 66 yards off the career highs he set as a sophomore in 2020.
As the Hurricanes have struggled to find reliable receivers for Van Dyke this year, Ladson is emerging as one of the quarterback’s favorite targets, along with fellow wide receiver Colbie Young, who’s even bigger at 6-5 and 215 pounds.
“The receivers should get a lot of credit for this one,” Van Dyke said. “They got open for me a lot.”
DEFENSE NEARLY MAKES HISTORY
Miami (3-3, 1-1 Atlantic
Coast) got 12:10 away from handing Virginia Tech its first shutout loss since 1996.
Instead, the Hurricanes had to settle for one of their better defensive performances of the season — even if they made it a bit too close for comfort in the fourth quarter.
The Hokies (2-5, 1-3) didn’t score until they threw a 15-yard touchdown pass on third-andgoal with 12:10 remaining. They added another touchdown with 3:20 left after converting a fourth down in the red zone.
Virginia Tech hasn’t been shut out in 353 games — the third-longest streak in the country.
“We just dominated,” UM defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor said.
Mesidor spearheaded the defensive effort with 31⁄2 of Miami’s six sacks — a career high.
The Hurricanes let the Hokies into their territory only once until the fourth quarter. Miami sacked Hokies quarterback Grant Wells on two of their three first-half snaps in Hurricanes territory.
Miami also recovered a fumble in the opening minutes, setting up Ladson for the early touchdown and a quick 7-0 lead at Lane Stadium.
INJURY UPDATES
Tight end Will Mallory left the Hurricanes’ win in the first half with an unspecified injury, but coach Mario Cristobal said he doesn’t think it’s too serious.
The senior left the game after making a 20-yard catch on the third play of the second quarter and taking a hit to the head. Hokies defensive back Nasir Peoples was ejected for targeting on the play.
Mallory’s injury left Miami without seven starters for the second half.
Running back Henry Parrish Jr., wide receiver
Michael Redding III, offensive lineman Justice Oluwaseun, linebacker
Waynmon Steed Jr. and cornerback Tyrique Stevenson all did not dress, and offensive lineman
Jakai Clark did not play after getting hurt last week, although he did dress.
Zion Nelson also did not play. The star offensive tackle has missed all but one game this season after having knee surgery in July.
The junior had a “setback” after debuting against the then-No. 24 Texas A&M Aggies last month, Cristobal said.
Cristobal said the players who missed this game should be “on track” to play next week versus Duke.
In place of the injured players, the Hurricanes started Jaylan Knighton at running back, Young at wide receiver, Jonathan Denis at center, Logan Sagapolu at right guard,
Keontra Smith at linebacker and Daryl Porter Jr. at cornerback.
Susan Miller Degnan: 305-376-3366, @smillerdegnan