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Ahead of #17 Miami vs. #18 Louisville tomorrow, CIS took a deep-dive into the numbers and compared the two programs. How do the teams match up in key areas of the game, what players were recruited by the other school, and how does the series history shake out? Let's find out.
Head-to-Head
Miami Rush Offense vs. Louisville Rush Defense
The Canes were one of the worst rushing teams in the country last year, coming in at 120th nationally at 118.1 ypg. Despite UM’s struggles on the ground last year, UL was a team Miami had no difficulty running on whatsoever in 2019, as the Canes racked up 197 yards rushing on 32 carries (6.2 ypc). Add that to their 2020 opener against a strong UAB defense returning the majority of their starters, Miami showed off a surprisingly dominant rushing attack in churning up 337 rushing yards on a whopping 52 carries for their second-best rushing day against an FBS opponent since 2004. The three-headed monster of Cam’Ron Harris, Jaylan Knighton, and Don Chaney are buoyed this year by a true dual-threat under center in D’Eriq King that can make plays on the ground out of nothing, a first at UM.
Miami would be wise to continue their focus on the run this week, as Louisville was 112th in the country at stopping the run (205.8 ypg) in 2019. Led by LB Rodjay Burns (11 TFL in 2019), the Cardinals return 5 starters from that underwhelming front 7 and don’t have anyone on the DL above 290 pounds, which could be an issue against a Miami OL that looked more physical than last season in their opener.
Advantage: Miami
Louisville Rush Offense vs. Miami Rush Defense
Led by the electric sophomore RB Javian Hawkins, who finished 3rd in the ACC in rushing (1,525 yards) in 2019, the Cardinals have boasted one of the best rushing attacks in the country over the past year-plus. At 212.9 ypg, Louisville was the #24 rushing team in the country last season and gets an extra boost from their QB; junior Micale Cunningham ran for 482 yards and 6 TD’s in 2019 and can threaten a defense in multiple ways.
Not to be outdone, Miami’s D was even better defending the run last season (17th in FBS at 114.6 ypg); however, Miami is replacing 6 of last season’s starters on the front 7 and still have a lot to prove, although they had a good start in Week 1 limiting UAB to just 80 yards rushing. Still, even with a stronger front last season, Miami had trouble with both Hawkins (91 yards) and his backup Hassan Hall (79 yards), as the duo averaged 8.1 yards per carry on the way to 168 yards rushing for UL. If Miami can get the shifty Hawkins down on first contact, they should limit his impact, but that’s easier said than done and this is going to be an area of concern for UM heading into Saturday.
Advantage: Louisville
Miami Pass Offense vs. Louisville Pass Defense
The Hurricanes’ passing attack absolutely dominated this Louisville secondary in 2019, with former starting QB Jarren Williams putting up 252 passing yards and a school-record 6 TD’s only mid-way through the third quarter. While things are mostly different for UM on offense this season, and King did struggle to get on the same page with his receivers in the opener, things are more of the same at Louisville; they return 3 of their 4 starters from a bad secondary in 2019 (79th in FBS, 234.2 ypg) and their reinforcements this year include a Liberty transfer (CB Kei’Trel Clark) who was a only a part-time starter for the Flames last year. Yikes.
Led by CB Chandler Jones (10 PBU, 50 tackles, INT in 2019), the Cardinals have been a sieve against any and all types of passers recently, and Louisville is also below average at pressuring the QB; their two starting edge rushers in Burns and Yasir Abdullah combined for just 3 sacks last season. While Miami has a questionable group of WR’s, Mike Harley and Dee Wiggins had a field day against UL last season (combined 9 catches, 201 yards, 4 TD’s) and UM has one of the best TE’s in the nation in Brevin Jordan. King has shown in the past that he can pick apart a secondary if given time, so if this weak pass rush doesn’t get home, it could be a long day for this UL pass defense.
Advantage: Miami
Louisville Pass Offense vs. Miami Pass Defense
UL was smack dab middle of the road in passing offense last year (65th at 234.5 ypg), and Louisville is much more of a team that prefers to run to set up the pass more than anything. However, the Cardinals are hoping Cunningham has taken a step forward in his second year as the starter, as he threw for 343 yards and 3 TD’s in their opener vs. Western Kentucky. Louisville also has a penchant for the big play, as Cunningham led the ACC in yards per attempt at a whopping 11.5 in 2019 largely because of the weapons at his disposal. WR Tutu Atwell led the conference in receiving last year (1,276 yards, 12 TD’s), while Dez Fitzpatrick was 6th in the ACC in ypc (18.1); both are plenty explosive and will make you pay if you give them even a hint of daylight.
On the surface, UM’s pass defense was considered one of the better units in the country in 2019 (18th at 195.2 ypg), but struggled vs. Louisville last season in giving up 328 passing yards and already have questions at their #2 corner spot with DJ Ivey’s poor performance in the opener. The key to this game is likely UM’s pass rush of talented ends Quincy Roche and Jaelan Phillips, as Louisville’s OL was one of the worst pass blocking lines in the country in 2019 with 40 sacks allowed (120th nationally). If UM’s rushers can get home like they have in the past in this scheme, that will take a lot of pressure off the secondary to keep up with the speedy UL receivers.
Advantage: Louisville
Miami Special Teams vs. Louisville Special Teams
The Cardinals are replacing both their specialists in 2020 with sophomores that played in their first career college game last week. K James Turner was not called on for a FG attempt at all vs. WKU, while P Logan Lupo struggled with a 37.3 ypp mark. On the flip side, Miami punter Louis Hedley made the Ray Guy Award watchlist after continuing to bomb punts in UM’s opener (47.5 ypp on 6 punts, 2 inside the 20), while the experienced Jose Borregales (76.1% career kicker on 67 attempts) has stabilized Miami’s kicking game. While Mark Pope fumbled in his first game as UM’s returner and didn’t do much vs. UAB, UL has themselves a true homerun threat with Hall, who finished third in the conference last year in both total KR yards (793) and yards per KR (27.3), adding a 100-yard KR touchdown.
Advantage: Miami
Roster Notes
Louisville Players recruited by Miami (10): QB Jawon Pass, WR Justin Marshall, OL Caleb Chandler, DL Jared Goldwire, LB Robert Hicks, DB Trenell Troutman, OL Renato Brown, QB Tee Webb, OL Kobe Baynes, S Lovie Jenkins
Miami Players recruited by Louisville (36): QB N’Kosi Perry, WR Mike Harley, OL Navaughn Donaldson, OL Kai-Leon Herbert, DT Jonathan Ford, LB Waynmon Steed, LB Bradley Jennings, S Amari Carter, RB Cam’Ron Harris, TE Brevin Jordan, TE Will Mallory, CB DJ Ivey, S Gurvan Hall, WR Jeremiah Payton, TE Larry Hodges, OL Jakai Clark, DE Jahfari Harvey, DE Cameron Williams, DT Jared Harrison-Hunte, DT Jalar Holley, LB Avery Huff, LB Sam Brooks, CB Te’Cory Couch, S Keontra Smith, QB Tyler Van Dyke, RB Jaylan Knighton, WR Dazalin Worsham, WR Xavier Restrepo, OL Jalen Rivers, DE Chantz Williams, DE Quentin Williams, CB Isaiah Dunson, CB Marcus Clarke, S Avantae Williams, S Jalen Harrell, S Brian Balom
Louisville Players that were committed to Miami (1): OL Renato Brown
Miami Players that were committed to Louisville (0): None
Louisville Players from South Florida (10): WR Tutu Atwell (Miami Northwestern), DB Chandler Jones (Miami Central), LB Robert Hicks (Miami Central), DB Trenell Troutman (St. Thomas), LB Yasir Abdullah (Carol City), OL Renato Brown (Palm Beach Central), DB Anthony Johnson (Chaminade-Madonna), WR Tyler Harrell (Columbus), DT Henry Bryant (Atlantic), P Logan Lupo (St. Thomas)
Series History
**Miami leads the overall series with Louisville, 10-3-1.
**Miami is on a one-game winning streak against the Cardinals; the longest ever winning streak in this series was 7 games, done by Miami (1979-2004).
**The largest margin of victory in this series is 38 points, accomplished by Miami in 1985 (45-7).
Last Time They Played
**Last season on Senior Day vs. Louisville, the Canes had one of their best offensive showings of the year as they racked up 449 yards behind QB Jarren Williams’ school-record 6 TD passes in what was a rout of the Cardinals, 52-27. Williams also tied the single-game touchdown record for any ACC quarterback, done on seven other occasions.
**The game was last close early in the second quarter after a UL touchdown made it 21-14. From there, Miami went on a 31-7 run that featured two Mike Harley touchdown catches to put the game out of reach for Louisville.
**Harley had the best game of his college career, setting personal bests in catches (6), yards (116), and TD’s (2) vs. the Cardinals. Dee Wiggins (3-85 line) also had two TD receptions.
**Miami’s defensive front had a strong game with 14 TFL, and Shaq Quarterman led the way with 4 TFL.
**Although overall the day went poorly for UL, Miami Northwestern product Tutu Atwell dominated at receiver for Louisville, posting a line of 6 catches for 142 yards that also included an 80-yard TD.
Head-to-Head
Miami Rush Offense vs. Louisville Rush Defense
The Canes were one of the worst rushing teams in the country last year, coming in at 120th nationally at 118.1 ypg. Despite UM’s struggles on the ground last year, UL was a team Miami had no difficulty running on whatsoever in 2019, as the Canes racked up 197 yards rushing on 32 carries (6.2 ypc). Add that to their 2020 opener against a strong UAB defense returning the majority of their starters, Miami showed off a surprisingly dominant rushing attack in churning up 337 rushing yards on a whopping 52 carries for their second-best rushing day against an FBS opponent since 2004. The three-headed monster of Cam’Ron Harris, Jaylan Knighton, and Don Chaney are buoyed this year by a true dual-threat under center in D’Eriq King that can make plays on the ground out of nothing, a first at UM.
Miami would be wise to continue their focus on the run this week, as Louisville was 112th in the country at stopping the run (205.8 ypg) in 2019. Led by LB Rodjay Burns (11 TFL in 2019), the Cardinals return 5 starters from that underwhelming front 7 and don’t have anyone on the DL above 290 pounds, which could be an issue against a Miami OL that looked more physical than last season in their opener.
Advantage: Miami
Louisville Rush Offense vs. Miami Rush Defense
Led by the electric sophomore RB Javian Hawkins, who finished 3rd in the ACC in rushing (1,525 yards) in 2019, the Cardinals have boasted one of the best rushing attacks in the country over the past year-plus. At 212.9 ypg, Louisville was the #24 rushing team in the country last season and gets an extra boost from their QB; junior Micale Cunningham ran for 482 yards and 6 TD’s in 2019 and can threaten a defense in multiple ways.
Not to be outdone, Miami’s D was even better defending the run last season (17th in FBS at 114.6 ypg); however, Miami is replacing 6 of last season’s starters on the front 7 and still have a lot to prove, although they had a good start in Week 1 limiting UAB to just 80 yards rushing. Still, even with a stronger front last season, Miami had trouble with both Hawkins (91 yards) and his backup Hassan Hall (79 yards), as the duo averaged 8.1 yards per carry on the way to 168 yards rushing for UL. If Miami can get the shifty Hawkins down on first contact, they should limit his impact, but that’s easier said than done and this is going to be an area of concern for UM heading into Saturday.
Advantage: Louisville
Miami Pass Offense vs. Louisville Pass Defense
The Hurricanes’ passing attack absolutely dominated this Louisville secondary in 2019, with former starting QB Jarren Williams putting up 252 passing yards and a school-record 6 TD’s only mid-way through the third quarter. While things are mostly different for UM on offense this season, and King did struggle to get on the same page with his receivers in the opener, things are more of the same at Louisville; they return 3 of their 4 starters from a bad secondary in 2019 (79th in FBS, 234.2 ypg) and their reinforcements this year include a Liberty transfer (CB Kei’Trel Clark) who was a only a part-time starter for the Flames last year. Yikes.
Led by CB Chandler Jones (10 PBU, 50 tackles, INT in 2019), the Cardinals have been a sieve against any and all types of passers recently, and Louisville is also below average at pressuring the QB; their two starting edge rushers in Burns and Yasir Abdullah combined for just 3 sacks last season. While Miami has a questionable group of WR’s, Mike Harley and Dee Wiggins had a field day against UL last season (combined 9 catches, 201 yards, 4 TD’s) and UM has one of the best TE’s in the nation in Brevin Jordan. King has shown in the past that he can pick apart a secondary if given time, so if this weak pass rush doesn’t get home, it could be a long day for this UL pass defense.
Advantage: Miami
Louisville Pass Offense vs. Miami Pass Defense
UL was smack dab middle of the road in passing offense last year (65th at 234.5 ypg), and Louisville is much more of a team that prefers to run to set up the pass more than anything. However, the Cardinals are hoping Cunningham has taken a step forward in his second year as the starter, as he threw for 343 yards and 3 TD’s in their opener vs. Western Kentucky. Louisville also has a penchant for the big play, as Cunningham led the ACC in yards per attempt at a whopping 11.5 in 2019 largely because of the weapons at his disposal. WR Tutu Atwell led the conference in receiving last year (1,276 yards, 12 TD’s), while Dez Fitzpatrick was 6th in the ACC in ypc (18.1); both are plenty explosive and will make you pay if you give them even a hint of daylight.
On the surface, UM’s pass defense was considered one of the better units in the country in 2019 (18th at 195.2 ypg), but struggled vs. Louisville last season in giving up 328 passing yards and already have questions at their #2 corner spot with DJ Ivey’s poor performance in the opener. The key to this game is likely UM’s pass rush of talented ends Quincy Roche and Jaelan Phillips, as Louisville’s OL was one of the worst pass blocking lines in the country in 2019 with 40 sacks allowed (120th nationally). If UM’s rushers can get home like they have in the past in this scheme, that will take a lot of pressure off the secondary to keep up with the speedy UL receivers.
Advantage: Louisville
Miami Special Teams vs. Louisville Special Teams
The Cardinals are replacing both their specialists in 2020 with sophomores that played in their first career college game last week. K James Turner was not called on for a FG attempt at all vs. WKU, while P Logan Lupo struggled with a 37.3 ypp mark. On the flip side, Miami punter Louis Hedley made the Ray Guy Award watchlist after continuing to bomb punts in UM’s opener (47.5 ypp on 6 punts, 2 inside the 20), while the experienced Jose Borregales (76.1% career kicker on 67 attempts) has stabilized Miami’s kicking game. While Mark Pope fumbled in his first game as UM’s returner and didn’t do much vs. UAB, UL has themselves a true homerun threat with Hall, who finished third in the conference last year in both total KR yards (793) and yards per KR (27.3), adding a 100-yard KR touchdown.
Advantage: Miami
Roster Notes
Louisville Players recruited by Miami (10): QB Jawon Pass, WR Justin Marshall, OL Caleb Chandler, DL Jared Goldwire, LB Robert Hicks, DB Trenell Troutman, OL Renato Brown, QB Tee Webb, OL Kobe Baynes, S Lovie Jenkins
Miami Players recruited by Louisville (36): QB N’Kosi Perry, WR Mike Harley, OL Navaughn Donaldson, OL Kai-Leon Herbert, DT Jonathan Ford, LB Waynmon Steed, LB Bradley Jennings, S Amari Carter, RB Cam’Ron Harris, TE Brevin Jordan, TE Will Mallory, CB DJ Ivey, S Gurvan Hall, WR Jeremiah Payton, TE Larry Hodges, OL Jakai Clark, DE Jahfari Harvey, DE Cameron Williams, DT Jared Harrison-Hunte, DT Jalar Holley, LB Avery Huff, LB Sam Brooks, CB Te’Cory Couch, S Keontra Smith, QB Tyler Van Dyke, RB Jaylan Knighton, WR Dazalin Worsham, WR Xavier Restrepo, OL Jalen Rivers, DE Chantz Williams, DE Quentin Williams, CB Isaiah Dunson, CB Marcus Clarke, S Avantae Williams, S Jalen Harrell, S Brian Balom
Louisville Players that were committed to Miami (1): OL Renato Brown
Miami Players that were committed to Louisville (0): None
Louisville Players from South Florida (10): WR Tutu Atwell (Miami Northwestern), DB Chandler Jones (Miami Central), LB Robert Hicks (Miami Central), DB Trenell Troutman (St. Thomas), LB Yasir Abdullah (Carol City), OL Renato Brown (Palm Beach Central), DB Anthony Johnson (Chaminade-Madonna), WR Tyler Harrell (Columbus), DT Henry Bryant (Atlantic), P Logan Lupo (St. Thomas)
Series History
**Miami leads the overall series with Louisville, 10-3-1.
**Miami is on a one-game winning streak against the Cardinals; the longest ever winning streak in this series was 7 games, done by Miami (1979-2004).
**The largest margin of victory in this series is 38 points, accomplished by Miami in 1985 (45-7).
Last Time They Played
**Last season on Senior Day vs. Louisville, the Canes had one of their best offensive showings of the year as they racked up 449 yards behind QB Jarren Williams’ school-record 6 TD passes in what was a rout of the Cardinals, 52-27. Williams also tied the single-game touchdown record for any ACC quarterback, done on seven other occasions.
**The game was last close early in the second quarter after a UL touchdown made it 21-14. From there, Miami went on a 31-7 run that featured two Mike Harley touchdown catches to put the game out of reach for Louisville.
**Harley had the best game of his college career, setting personal bests in catches (6), yards (116), and TD’s (2) vs. the Cardinals. Dee Wiggins (3-85 line) also had two TD receptions.
**Miami’s defensive front had a strong game with 14 TFL, and Shaq Quarterman led the way with 4 TFL.
**Although overall the day went poorly for UL, Miami Northwestern product Tutu Atwell dominated at receiver for Louisville, posting a line of 6 catches for 142 yards that also included an 80-yard TD.
