South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Sunday)
‘I’m running this in’
Garcia describes game-winning play in his first career start
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VIRGINIA — Jake Garcia’s first career college start didn’t go perfectly, but it ended that way.
The redshirt freshman quarterback, playing in place of injured starter Tyler Van Dyke, ran in a game-winning two-point conversion in the fourth overtime, giving the Hurricanes a 14-12 win over Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia.
“There was a lot of praying going on from me on the sidelines during the two-point conversions that were going on,” Garcia said. “We called that play; we had worked it a couple times in practice. I was ready for it. We talked through it, and coach said, ‘If you have to, go make a play. But you’re going to have your flat [receiver] right there or you can hand the ball off.’
“I stepped back and read it and ended up pulling it. I saw my flat guy, which is Kahlil [Brantley], and it looked like he was almost going to trip to me. But also knowing how my day was going, I was like, ‘I see the pylon right there. I’m running this in. I’m right here. I’m running it in.’ ”
Garcia, the Miami Hurricanes’ most highly touted quarterback recruit in nearly 20 years, completed 15 of 29 passes for 125 yards.
“Proud of Jake,” coach Mario Cristobal said. “He worked his butt off the entire game and had some good moments, had some other tough ones. But you saw at the end of the game, ball’s in his hands and he finds a way to get in there and make a play.”
Garcia said he prepared for the game similarly to how he prepared for Miami’s previous games.
“It felt like a normal day because I’m always trying to prepare like I’m the starter,” Garcia said. “Whether that was last year or throughout high school and all of this year. It really felt like a normal day.”
Garcia was critical of some of his throws in the victory. He missed an early deep post route to Key’Shawn Smith, overthrowing his receiver. He also threw an unofficial interception on a two-point attempt in overtime.
“I just wasn’t connecting,” Garcia said. “I’m taking accountability for that. I wasn’t connecting on things we’d normally connect on.”
Cristobal did not say whether Van Dyke would be out for next week’s game against FSU, but if he misses that game, too, Garcia will have some starting experience under his belt.
“I think it was a good learning experience and a good time to get a feel of playing football again and going out there and starting,” Garcia said. “First start since Dec. 31, 2020, the state championship game in Georgia. It was a good feeling to get back. But I have to pull my weight, honestly.”
Two key players return to action: Hurricanes
slot receiver Xavier Restrepo returned from a foot injury that kept him out since Miami’s win over Southern Miss on Sept. 10.
Restrepo had one catch for 11 yards in Miami’s win.
“Impact guy,” Cristobal said. “We’ve missed that guy. Let’s call it what it is. That guy generates enthusiasm, momentum, energy, leadership and, of course, performance. That guy, he’s a special one, so to have him back and everything all systems go going forward from here.”
Restrepo has 12 catches for 183 yards and a touchdown in his two games this season.
Brashard Smith also returned from a one-week injury absence, making two catches for 16 yards.
Williams held out; Mesidor, Bissainthe leave with injuries:
Safety James Williams looked poised to play Saturday after missing the end of Miami’s loss to Duke last week, but he was held out, Cristobal said.
“I think James will be fine,” Cristobal said. “He was a game-time decision, or a last-second decision.”
Two other key defensive players left Saturday’s game with injuries: defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor and linebacker Wesley Bissainthe.
Cristobal indicated that neither player’s injury was serious.
“Akheem’s a little bit dinged up and ... just
felt he’s not where he needs to be,” Cristobal said. “At this stage in the season, you’ve got to play when you’re hurt and whatnot, and he’s a tough guy, and he pushed through as much as he could and it was time . ... Wesley, they’re checking on him. He seems to be fine.”
South Florida kickers have their moments:
As both teams’ offenses struggled on Saturday, both teams’ kickers got their chances to shine.
Miami kicker Andy Borregales (a Hialeah Champagnat Catholic alumnus) and Virginia kicker Will Bettridge (a Pinecrest Gulliver Prep graduate) hit four field goals each without missing one. The pair of kickers are both from South Florida and have known each other since they were in elementary school.
“We grew up together. We used to practice together in high school and middle school. I see him as my little brother. We always competed.”
Borregales said hello to Bettridge and took a picture with him before the game. Even though Bettridge was playing against Borregales this week, the UM kicker was happy to see his friend do well.
“I was more happy than he was,” Borregales said. “Even though he’s on the other team, him personally, I was happy for him because he needed that because I know he had a bad game last week. Seeing him bounce back like that made me happy.”