Miami Hurricanes' offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson shared his thoughts this week about the team's growth during the bye week, the challenges posed by the upcoming game against Georgia Tech, and individual player contributions.
Bye Week Benefits: The bye week seemed to have worked in Miami's favor. Dawson highlighted that it provided much-needed rest for some players while giving the young ones crucial reps.
Preparation Challenges with Georgia Tech: Dawson admits that the upcoming game poses challenges, primarily because Georgia Tech made the move today to switch defensive coordinators, bringing elements of unpredictability. He anticipates minor tactical shifts rather than a complete overhaul of Georgia Tech's strategy.
Georgia Tech's Personnel: Dawson respects the physical attributes of Georgia Tech, mentioning they're a "good-looking unit" that's long and physical. He also hinted at the volatility of college football, pointing out that favorites don't always win.
Player Focus: Dawson was all praise for several of his players:
- Henry Parrish: Described as consistently productive, making plays when needed.
- Tyler Van Dyke: Highlighted for his remarkable accuracy this season. Dawson believes the offensive line's performance in keeping the pressure off Van Dyke has played a significant role in his success.
- Elijah Arroyo: While he hasn't been on the field, Dawson eagerly awaits the opportunity to leverage his talent, stating that Arroyo's return would add depth.
- Running Backs: Dawson emphasized the physical nature of the running back role, noting the value of depth in that room.
- Ray Ray Joseph and Christopher Johnson: Both players are getting more comfortable and will likely see increased game involvement as the season progresses.
Statistically speaking, Dawson's emphasis on ball security seems to be paying dividends. The Hurricanes are currently leading the ACC and performing commendably at a national level when it comes to limiting turnovers. But what makes this team so adept at protecting the ball?
According to Dawson, it's about the consistent and relentless emphasis on securing the ball during practice. "There's not a play that's run at practice that people aren't stressing ball security. If you're not securing the ball the proper way, you get called out on it," he explained.
The Hurricanes have an innovative approach to ensuring players take ball security seriously. Throughout practice, photographs are taken of players. If a player is seen with poor ball security, that picture is promptly sent to them. The intent is to provide a visual reminder of what they need to correct. "Kids know what we expect as far as ball security, and that is never going to change," Dawson stated firmly.
While the Hurricanes are proud of their low turnover numbers, Dawson knows that it's not just about the drills and the reminders. It comes from the top down. "From coach Cristobal down, we understand that the quickest way to lose a game is to turn the ball over. Turnovers in the wrong areas of the field can be even more detrimental," he said.
When asked about how the Hurricanes' approach compares to other programs, Dawson couldn't say definitively if they stress ball security more than others, but he knows it's a major emphasis for the Hurricanes. "We do have drills; we talk about it in meetings, during walkthroughs, or anytime you have a ball in your hand, we ensure you secure it the right way."
As the season progresses, tendencies in offense and defense become clearer. Teams get more adept at identifying these tendencies and game-planning against them. "Every good offense that's ever played football had tendencies," Dawson noted, emphasizing that recognizing and countering these tendencies is part of the game.
Regarding individual player progress, Dawson spoke positively but indicated that the flow of games often dictates playing time. The number of snaps a team plays can also affect opportunities for individual players, and he emphasized efficiency over sheer quantity.
