FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A lackluster 2022 season saw the Canes finish 5-7 and 5th place in the ACC (3-5 ACC). Perpetually frustrated UM fans are desperate for a break from mediocrity, and Mario Cristobal looks to make big improvements to his team as he enters his second year as Head Coach in 2023.
Fans gained some insight into the team’s progress tonight at DRV PNK Stadium, home of the MLS’s Inter Miami CF. (Not gonna lie, it was difficult to keep track of who was “winning” because this was an Offense vs. Defense game and not an Orange vs. White game. Defense earned 1-point and 5-point spots for things like holding the Offense to a FG or a Punt… maybe? Don’t even get me started on calculating scores with sacks and turnovers…)
Regardless, it’s tough to say, but there were only a few bright spots in an otherwise “meh” performance by the Offense. Tyler Van Dyke looked decent throwing the ball, reestablishing his connection with his roommate, Xavier Restrepo, and later tossing a beautiful back corner fade to Jacolby George for a TD. George also added an explosive 31-yard gain off of a smoke screen. TVD also had us in the press box impressed with his wheels, evading pressure and escaping the pocket for several scrambles. Now, considering the QBs can’t be touched in this game, I’ll take TVD’s speed with a grain of salt.
Jacurri Brown was flat-out disappointing today. He flashed his twitchy athleticism on the ground, but was inaccurate through the air, even missing wide open WRs at times. Brown needs to shore up his footwork if he wishes to compete for the job once TVD is out.
Tyler Van Dyke – 13/19, 184 yds, 1 TD
Jacolby George – 2 rec, 46 yds, 1 TD
Xavier Restrepo – 3 rec, 69 yds
Colbie Young – 3 rec, 38 yds
Isaiah Horton – 2 rec, 31 yds
Robby Washington – 2 rec, 21 yds
Early-enrollee freshman QB Emory Williams (Milton (FL)) showed great command and poise. Williams seems to be developing chemistry with his freshman counterparts, WR Nathaniel “Ray Ray” Joseph Jr (Miami Edison) and TE Riley Williams (IMG Academy). Joseph added an explosive TD from Williams to end the game on a high note.
Don Chaney Jr. showed a few signs of his potential after battling injuries, but I’d be shocked to see him take the job from Henry Parrish. Chaney should fill the #2 role nicely, giving the Miami backfield some thunder to Parrish’s lightning.
K Jose Borregales hit 2 FGs for 27 and 51 yards.
On the defensive side, FR DL Rueben Bain (Miami Central) had 3 sacks, LB Francisco Mauigoa (Washington State) had 3 tackles and 1 TFL, and DB Daryl Porter Jr came up with 2 clutch PBUs to prevent a TD and force a turnover-on-downs.
Overall Takeaway
There were definitely flashes of the future here with some stellar performances from the young guys. However, I don’t expect much of an improvement from last year’s record based on the starters’ average performance against a “thud” defense. (Dude’s full momentum would be carrying him across the goal line into the endzone, yet refs would blow the whistle and mark it dead at the 1-yard-line once the defender’s pinky finger slightly grazed the gentle arm of the ballcarrier.)
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