Miami Gardens, FL — Although Saturday afternoon’s game was against an opponent in Central Connecticut State, this game was all about the depth of the Miami Hurricanes football team. The Canes took care of business with a win over the visiting FCS opponent and the young players saw plenty of action throughout.
“The most important thing today was Miami, and how we played,” said Head Coach Manny Diaz. “I think the depth that we have or we some of the weapons that we have is really starting to show, and exciting for the future.”
The Hurricanes were efficient offensively scoring on every drive in the first half jumping out to a 49-0 lead. The Canes racked up 488 total yards and converted 17 first downs in the first half alone, but the defense totaled just one sack and two tackles for loss after two quarters.
Central Connecticut State started South Florida product, Romello Williams, out of Miramar High School while Miami started Connecticut product Tyler Van Dyke out of Suffield Academy. Starting quarterback D’Eriq King sat this one out due to a shoulder injury.
“He’s limited in some of his motions and movements,” said Diaz of King. “We’ll have an idea I would imagine some time this week.”
Van Dyke started the scoring onslaught with a five-yard touchdown pass to Mike Harley (St. Thomas Aquinas). Next, true freshman Brashard Smith (Miami Palmetto) took a short pass 75 yards for a touchdown. It was Smith’s first catch of his collegiate career. Smith led all receivers with five catches for 91 yards and the one score.
Quarterback Play
Van Dyke and Jake Garcia rotated series’ throughout most of the game.
Van Dyke went 10-11 for 270 yards and three touchdowns, zero interceptions.
Co-backup quarterback Garcia would also see plenty of action in this game. Garcia’s biggest moment of the first half, a 45-yard run that got his team inside the Blue Devil five-yard line. Senior running back Cam’Ron Harris (Miami Carol City) would eventually score on a two-yard run to end the drive.
Garcia completed 11-14 for 147 yards and two touchdowns, zero interceptions. Garcia added 45 yards rushing.
Running Back Play
Harris was effective on the ground and through the air totaling 183 all-purpose yards in the first half. Harris had a big 51-yard touchdown run and had an even bigger 83-yard touchdown catch. Harris took the short pass from Van Dyke and used his speed to run away from the Blue Devil defenders. Harris led the team scoring three touchdowns.
True freshman running back Cody Brown (Parkview, GA) also saw some action at running back. Brown scored on a 16-yard run in the first quarter. Brown finished the game with 14 carries for 77 yards scoring two touchdowns.
True freshman Thad Franklin (Chaminade-Madonna) made his presence felt in the second half scoring on a 31-yard touchdown, the first touchdown of his career. Franklin completed the game with 88 yards rushing on seven carries.
The Hurricanes rushed for 322 yards as a team.
Defense Gets Job Done With Shutout
On defense, true freshman James Williams made his first start of his career as safety Gurvan Hall was suspended for the game. Williams caught an interception on an attempted deep pass in the third quarter.
“It was like I was squatting something,” said Williams of the weight of the chain on his neck. “It was amazing to get to hear the crowd, my family going crazy, I just want to thank God for that.”
First-year players Tyler Johnson and Leonard Taylor also saw playing time for the first time in their collegiate careers.
The defense finished with three sacks and five tackles for loss and the one turnover.
The Canes defense limited the Blue Devils to 198 total yards.
Sam Brooks Jr. (Miami Northwestern) was the leading tackler with four.
Freshman Scoring First Of Careers
First-year receivers Smith, Jacolby George, and Romello Brinson all had receptions in this game. Brinson scored on a 17-yard touchdown catch fighting off a defender with one hand and catching the football with the other in the third quarter.
It was Brinson’s first career touchdown. George also scored the first collegiate touchdown of his career in the third. Garcia threw a perfect deep ball to George for a 44-yard touchdown.
“The three amigos that’s we call ourselves,” said Smith. “We’re just working, trusting the process.”
Miami opens ACC play on Thursday night hosting Virginia. Central Connecticut State hosts Columbia in two weeks.
Attendance – 44,019
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