Miami improved to 3-0 by blowing out an overmatched Bethune Cookman team by the score of 48-7 on Thursday night. A famous riff from Chris Rock comes to mind as I think about this game.
They did what they were supposed to do.
Really, not too much credit should be given to this much-improved Hurricanes squad but this was in many ways the perfect respite after that highly charged victory over Texas A&M five days ago.
They scored a few points.
Padded the stats.
Got in the youngsters.
Were able to hold out a slew of key players.
And stayed healthy.
So they didn't just do what they were supposed to do, Mario Cristobal and his staff got what they wanted out of this game. Now they have a long week to prepare for their first road trip against Temple in Philadelphia on September 23rd.
But 3-0. Doesn't it feel good?
A few quick thoughts on this game...
- Tyler Van Dyke was a model of effiency as he was 19-23 for 247 and two touchdowns (and it could've been three if not for Colbie Young fumble near the goal line at the end of the first half). Again, we shouldn't make too much out of this, but you can see how much better this offense fits him, and how much more comfortable he is in this system. After last years lost season, he has found life much easier and more fun going up (Shannon) Dawson's creek.
Look at this stat that was compiled by the ACC Network after the game:
So yeah, say it with me, coordinators, system and play-calling matter.
- Some had written off Don Chaney given the new pieces added to that running back room, and his injury history. But he is showing that he will be a part of this rotation moving forward. He ran hard and showed he's back to his true freshman form. Chaney (7 carries, 73 yards and 1 TD) is bigger than Ajay Allen and Henry Parrish, and has more burst than Mark Fletcher (who was held out of this game). There should be a place for him in this offense.
- Another player that might have earned more snaps with the offense is Brashard Smith, who after last weeks huge kickoff return, was incorporated into the throw game and came up with some plays, including a 27-yard touchdown to end the first half barrage. He is another guy that was never allowed to get out into space in last years offense.
- A player that flashed on defense was linebacker, Chase Smith, who has been beset by injuries, but you can see his phyiscal upside as he came downhill on a few plays. The one thing this defense seems to be missing is a true edge rusher that can close out drives. Perhaps he gets some pressures dialed up for him by Lance Guidry moving forward.
- Overall, youngsters like the Washington brothers, Chris Johnson, Ray Ray Joseph, Raul Aguirre, Marcelius Pullium, Damari Brown, Markeith Williams, Samson Okunlola, Josh Horton -- and of course, Emory Williams, all got some snaps tonight, as did a few others as the bench was emptied out in the second half.
- Emory Williams, I'll say this again, he's going to be here for awhile. It's going to take a really talented quarterback to take his spot post-TVD.
- Finally, it was one year ago this week that Miami went into College Station and lost 17-9 in what was clunker. The next game would see the Canes get blown out by Middle Tennessee State at home, which then sent the team into a full tailspin. Fast forward a year later -- and again, I know it's just three weeks into the 2023 campaign -- you can see that this program has made some significant strides.
They did what they were supposed to do.
Really, not too much credit should be given to this much-improved Hurricanes squad but this was in many ways the perfect respite after that highly charged victory over Texas A&M five days ago.
They scored a few points.
Padded the stats.
Got in the youngsters.
Were able to hold out a slew of key players.
And stayed healthy.
So they didn't just do what they were supposed to do, Mario Cristobal and his staff got what they wanted out of this game. Now they have a long week to prepare for their first road trip against Temple in Philadelphia on September 23rd.
But 3-0. Doesn't it feel good?
A few quick thoughts on this game...
- Tyler Van Dyke was a model of effiency as he was 19-23 for 247 and two touchdowns (and it could've been three if not for Colbie Young fumble near the goal line at the end of the first half). Again, we shouldn't make too much out of this, but you can see how much better this offense fits him, and how much more comfortable he is in this system. After last years lost season, he has found life much easier and more fun going up (Shannon) Dawson's creek.
Look at this stat that was compiled by the ACC Network after the game:
So yeah, say it with me, coordinators, system and play-calling matter.
- Some had written off Don Chaney given the new pieces added to that running back room, and his injury history. But he is showing that he will be a part of this rotation moving forward. He ran hard and showed he's back to his true freshman form. Chaney (7 carries, 73 yards and 1 TD) is bigger than Ajay Allen and Henry Parrish, and has more burst than Mark Fletcher (who was held out of this game). There should be a place for him in this offense.
- Another player that might have earned more snaps with the offense is Brashard Smith, who after last weeks huge kickoff return, was incorporated into the throw game and came up with some plays, including a 27-yard touchdown to end the first half barrage. He is another guy that was never allowed to get out into space in last years offense.
- A player that flashed on defense was linebacker, Chase Smith, who has been beset by injuries, but you can see his phyiscal upside as he came downhill on a few plays. The one thing this defense seems to be missing is a true edge rusher that can close out drives. Perhaps he gets some pressures dialed up for him by Lance Guidry moving forward.
- Overall, youngsters like the Washington brothers, Chris Johnson, Ray Ray Joseph, Raul Aguirre, Marcelius Pullium, Damari Brown, Markeith Williams, Samson Okunlola, Josh Horton -- and of course, Emory Williams, all got some snaps tonight, as did a few others as the bench was emptied out in the second half.
- Emory Williams, I'll say this again, he's going to be here for awhile. It's going to take a really talented quarterback to take his spot post-TVD.
- Finally, it was one year ago this week that Miami went into College Station and lost 17-9 in what was clunker. The next game would see the Canes get blown out by Middle Tennessee State at home, which then sent the team into a full tailspin. Fast forward a year later -- and again, I know it's just three weeks into the 2023 campaign -- you can see that this program has made some significant strides.
