’Canes coming off historic rout entering ACC play
MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Hurricanes earned a much-needed dominant win with their 69-0 victory over Central Connecticut State on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Facing an overmatched FCS team, UM finished with a program-record 739 yards en route to its third-largest margin of victory in team history after its slow start to the season.
With D’Eriq King out due to a shoulder injury, freshmen quarterbacks Jake Garcia and Tyler Van Dyke combined for 21-of-25 passing for 417 yards and five touchdowns to lead Miami to a 2-2 record before the Hurricanes start ACC play versus Virginia on Thursday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Here are 10 things we learned from UM’s Saturday win:
Freshmen quarterbacks ready for more:
All takeaways from Saturday’s game come with the caveat that the Hurricanes matched up with a Blue Devils team that wasn’t on their level, but both Garcia and Van Dyke played with a confidence and poise that you’d like to see out of lesser experienced guys.
In his first start and the most extensive playing time he’s had at the collegiate level, Van Dyke went 10 of 11 for 270 yards and three touchdowns. His lone incompletion was a well-thrown deep ball to Dee Wiggins in the third quarter that could’ve gone for a touchdown if not for Wiggins’ drop. Van Dyke’s passing yards were padded by his receivers’ yards after catch, but he did of good job of spreading the ball around efficiently and showed nice touch on his passes.
Garcia, who was playing in his first college game, went 11 of 14 for 147 yards and two touchdowns and showed his mobility with a 45-yard run that fell 1 yard short of a touchdown. He had one pass attempt that fell short and could’ve been intercepted, but made good decisions outside of that and showed the ability to make big plays.
With King’s status uncertain for the remainder of the season, Garcia and Van Dyke may get more playing time than anticipated heading into this season, and both showed they’re ready for the next step.
Young receivers making plays: True freshman wide receiver Romello Brinson’s one-handed touchdown catch from Garcia in tight coverage during the third quarter was a catch-of-the-year worthy grab.
Fellow first-year freshman Jacolby George provided Garcia with a deep threat on a 44-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. Brashard Smith (126 all-purpose yards and one touchdown) showcased his versatility.
Second-year freshman Xavier Restrepo finished with 75 yards on four catches. The wideout unit is one of Miami’s deepest positions, and the young Hurricanes continue to show it should stay that way in the future.
Williams steps up: In his first start in place of the suspended Gurvan Hall Jr., true freshman safety James Williams showed he’s ready for more playing time.
Williams, a former five-star prospect out of American Heritage Plantation, recorded UM’s lone takeaway with an interception in the third quarter. He finished with three tackles and one pass break up.
Most importantly, Williams wasn’t called for a penalty against the Blue Devils, which should encourage the coaching staff to give him more playing time once conference play starts.
Brown, Franklin get opportunities: True freshmen running backs Cody Brown and Thaddius Franklin Jr. made the most of their first real opportunities on the field.
Brown rushed for 77 yards and scored
the first two touchdowns of his college career, both in the first half. He displayed an aggressive, downhill running style that help him break tackles and pick up yards after contact.
Franklin, a Chaminade-Madonna alum, added 100 rushing yards and a touchdown on eight carries, mostly during the game’s later stages.
Starting running back Cam’Ron Harris (183 all-purpose yards, three touchdowns) and second-year freshman Jaylan Knighton — who’s expected to return from his four-game suspension versus Virginia — are expected to be UM’s top backs with Don Chaney out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury, but Brown and Franklin gave reasons to believe they can be depended on early in their careers.
Taylor debut: After not seeing a snap in Miami’s first three games, Leonard Taylor made his college football debut on Saturday.
Taylor, a true freshman out of Miami Palmetto who 247 Sports rated as a fivestar prospect and the No. 11 player in the 2021 recruiting class, finished with three tackles, including one for loss, in his first college game.
He didn’t generate much pressure on the quarterback from the middle, but he held his own in the trenches in his first game.
Several players get playing time: Over 80 Miami players got playing time against the Blue Devils. Second-year freshman linebacker Tirek Austin-Cave and true freshman cornerback Malik Curtis got extended playing time.
Third-year linebacker Sam Brooks Jr. made his season debut, recording four tackles and one quarterback hit. True freshman striker Chase Smith got meaningful snaps on Saturday.
Walk-on quarterbacks Peyton Matocha and Ryan Rizk led Miami’s final two drives.
Quiet night for special teams: Kicker Andy Borregales had a busy Saturday, making all seven of his extra point attempts, but didn’t take a field goal attempt. Lou Hedley only had one punt against Central Connecticut State.
Backup kicker Camden Price took three extra point attempts, making two of them.
Defense missing game-changing plays: UM’s starting defense took most of the first half reps, yet the Hurricanes only finished with two tackles for loss, one sack and zero takeaways in the first two quarters.
They ended the game with five tackles for loss, three sacks and one takeaway.
Tight ends remain quiet: Despite Miami’s offensive explosion, neither of the team’s top-two tight ends (Will Mallory and Elijah Arroyo) had a reception on Saturday, continuing a quiet season at the position.
Mallory (eight catches for 64 yards) and Arroyo (two catches for 18 yards) have combined for 82 receiving yards on 10 receptions through four games.
Fourth-string tight end Kahlil Brantley, a true freshman out of Miami Northwestern, caught a pass for 7 yards against Central Connecticut State.
ACC wide open: Coastal Division preseason favorite North Carolina (2-2, 1-2) lost its second ACC game on Saturday with its 45-22 defeat to fellow Coastal program Georgia Tech (2-2, 1-1).
Clemson (2-2, 1-1), lost its first conference game to a non-Notre Dame team since 2017 with its 27-21 loss to NC State (3-1, 1-0) in overtime, with the Tigers looking vulnerable all season.
The Hurricanes may not have started the season the way they wanted to, but the goal of competing for the Coastal and ACC titles is still alive, making Thursday’s matchup versus the Cavaliers a crucial one ahead of a 16-day break from gameplay.