Tag: Hurricanes

Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Rutgers Scarlet Knights running back Kyle Monangai (5) celebrates his touchdown against Miami Hurricanes during the second quarter with Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Isaiah Washington (14) at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Rutgers takes down Miami to capture Pinstripe Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Kyle Monangai rushed for 163 yards and a touchdown, Gavin Wimsatt added two short scoring runs and Rutgers rallied in the second half to top Miami 31-24 Thursday in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium.

Monangai ripped off a 40-yard run to the 1-yard line early in the fourth quarter that set up Wimsatt’s second 1-yard touchdown sneak with 11:51 remaining in the game, increasing the Scarlet Knights’ advantage to 28-17.

Wimsatt completed 7 of 15 passes for 84 yards for Rutgers (7-6), which beat the Hurricanes for the first time in 12 meetings, dating back to the schools’ time in the Big East Conference. It marked Rutgers’ first bowl victory since 2014.

Miami (7-6) took its only lead with 10:33 left in the third quarter on Jacurri Brown’s 30-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Restrepo. But the Scarlet Knights regained the lead with 5:06 left in the period when Timmy Ward recovered a blocked punt in the end zone.

Brown was 20-of-31 for 181 yards with a touchdown and an interception in his first start. He also ran for two touchdowns, including a 1-yard run with 27 seconds left that got the Hurricanes within seven points.

Miami recovered an onside kick but was stopped on downs at the Rutgers’ 47-yard line with seven seconds remaining.

Rutgers dominated the first quarter and a half behind a physical ground game coupled with a stifling defense. The Scarlet Knights chewed up the game’s first 8:06 with a 75-yard drive that Wimsatt capped with a 1-yard sneak.

Rutgers made it 14-0 at the 7:37 mark of the second quarter on a 7-yard touchdown run by Monangai. Rutgers cashed in a 42-yard field, set up after Abram Wright intercepted Brown.

At that point, Miami, which was outgained 115-5 in the first quarter, decided to join the game.

With the help of consecutive personal fouls on the Scarlet Knights’ Aaron Lewis, the Hurricanes got on the board with Brown’s 7-yard scoring jaunt. Then they drove 73 yards inside the final minute to set up a 35-yard field goal by Andres Borregales as time expired, drawing within 14-10 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Nov 4, 2023; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal looks on during the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Miami looks to revive season vs. No. 4 Florida State

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One win would change everything.

That’s the opportunity facing the Miami Hurricanes, who travel to Tallahassee, Fla., to visit the fourth-ranked Florida State Seminoles on Saturday.

Miami’s disappointing season — including a stunning last-second loss to Georgia Tech that would’ve been a victory had the Hurricanes simply taken a knee with time winding down — can be salvaged in a sense with a triumph over the school’s biggest rival.

However, the Seminoles (9-0, 7-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) are favored by two touchdowns and a serious threat to win their first national title since 2013.

Worse yet for Miami (6-3, 2-3), quarterback Tyler Van Dyke seems to have lost his confidence — to the point that coach Mario Cristobal hasn’t ruled out benching him in favor of true freshman Emory Williams.

Van Dyke is a capable QB, proving that in 2021 when he averaged 293 passing yards per game and threw 25 touchdown passes with just six interceptions. Earlier this season, in a signature 48-33 win over Texas A&M, Van Dyke completed 21 of 30 passes for 374 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions.

However, in the past two games, Van Dyke averaged just 168 passing yards while tossing no TD passes and getting intercepted five times.

Cristobal this week suggested that injuries are a factor.

“(Van Dyke) has been banged up,” Cristobal said. “But the bottom line is that we have regressed in the passing game. It was our strength earlier in the year, and it hasn’t been good (lately).”

Williams, in his only career start, beat Clemson 28-20 in double overtime on Oct. 21. The Hurricanes played it conservatively in that game and Williams completed 24 of 33 passes for 151 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

As for the Florida State series, Miami leads 35-32. However, the Seminoles are looking for their third straight win in the series and 13th in the past 19 meetings with the Hurricanes.

A fascinating matchup to watch for on Saturday pits Florida State’s wide receivers against Miami’s cornerbacks.

Star Seminoles receivers Johnny Wilson and Keon Coleman missed the team’s 24-7 win over Pitt last week.

Wilson, who sat out the Seminoles’ past two games, returned to practice this week — welcome news for coach Mike Norvell.

“I do see us being in a better spot,” Norvell said of his receivers’ health entering the Miami game. “What that means, we’ll see.”

Coleman (538) and Wilson (415) are Florida State’s top two players in receiving yards. They have also combined for 11 receiving TDs. No other Florida State player has more than two TD catches.

Further, Wilson is 6-foot-7, and Coleman 6-4, giving sixth-year quarterback Jordan Travis two imposing targets.

Miami could be vulnerable in the secondary due to injuries that hit two of its top three cornerbacks last week. Both Jaden Davis and Daryl Porter Jr. were hurt in Miami’s 20-6 loss at North Carolina State.

The only certainty for Miami at cornerback is that Te’Cory Couch will play. But losing Davis and/or Porter could hinder the Hurricanes’ upset hopes.

Florida State leads the ACC in points scored per game (39.6) and is third in points allowed (17.0). Miami ranks fifth in scoring offense (32.1) and fourth in scoring defense (20.0).

Miami will need to stop running back Trey Benson and Travis.

Benson ranks third in the ACC in yards per rush (6.6) and is sixth in rushing yards (641).

Travis ranks second in the league in passing yards (2,469) and has produced 190 yards and seven TDs on the ground.

–Field Level Media

Oct 14, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (9) looks to pass against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first half at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports

Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke to return from injury vs. Virginia

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Miami will have starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke back this week for the Hurricanes’ home game against Virginia on Saturday.

Van Dyke missed last Saturday’s 28-20 double-overtime win over Clemson due to an undisclosed injury. Miami coach Mario Cristobal said Monday that Van Dyke was “good to go” and practiced earlier in the day.

“Last week caught us off guard during the week,” Cristobal said. “He doesn’t have anything that’s serious, but if it takes a certain turn it can delay you, so that’s really what ended up happening. We’re in a good place right now.”

In his fourth season playing for the Hurricanes, Van Dyke has completed 70.5 percent of his throws for 1,721 yards, 16 touchdowns and six interceptions for Miami (5-2, 1-2 ACC).

In Van Dyke’s absence, freshman Emory Williams completed 24 of 33 passes for 151 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Miami’s win over Clemson.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2023; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels wide receiver Devontez Walker (9) warms up before the game against the Syracuse Orange at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

Tez Walker, No. 12 UNC try to stay perfect vs. No. 25 Miami

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No. 12 North Carolina aims to keep its unbeaten record intact on Saturday when it opposes No. 25 Miami in Chapel Hill, N.C.

The Hurricanes (4-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) are still licking the wounds from their first loss of the season, an arguably self-inflicted defeat at home to Georgia Tech.

Miami led 20-17 and could have knelt on the ball to end the game on a third-and-10 play, as there was just 33 seconds left and the Yellow Jackets had no timeouts remaining, but instead the Hurricanes ran the ball and fumbled it. Moments later, Georgia Tech’s Haynes King tossed the game-winning touchdown pass.

Second-year Miami coach Mario Cristobal took the blame for the blunder during a press conference this week.

“I made the wrong call,” Cristobal said. “I take full ownership in not taking a knee and giving them the opportunity to have a couple extra plays and preventing us from sealing the win.”

He added: “The guys are very eager to get back to work and prepare for this weekend’s opportunity.”

What awaits Miami is its toughest on-paper opponent yet, with the Tar Heels (5-0, 2-0 ACC) led by a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback.

North Carolina’s Drake Maye showed off his talent again last weekend in a 40-7 home victory over Syracuse, completing 33 of 47 passes for 442 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for 55 yards and a score. Maye is the conductor of an offense that scores an average of 36.6 points per game, tied for 18th best in the FBS.

And Maye and the Tar Heels offense just got stronger, as Devontez “Tez” Walker finally made his North Carolina debut last weekend after receiving an eligibility waiver from the NCAA. Maye and Walker seemingly had chemistry right away as the wideout hauled in six catches for 43 yards. Last season at Kent State, Walker tied for the Mid-American Conference lead in receiving touchdowns with 11.

Walker, a native of Charlotte, transferred to North Carolina to be closer to his ailing grandmother.

“It’s heartwarming that she finally got to see me play,” Walker said. “I just felt blessed to be out there.”

As for Miami, despite an inconsistent offensive performance last week, the unit can be potent behind a quarterback who is a proven playmaker. Tyler Van Dyke leads the ACC in completion percentage with 72.6 percent of his throws landing in the mitts of his receivers. Van Dyke also has more passing touchdowns than Maye (12 to eight).

Before the loss to Georgia Tech, Miami scored at least 38 points in each of its first four games.

“They’re the most talented team that we’ve played to this point,” North Carolina coach Mack Brown said. “They’ve got speed all over the place, and we’ll have our hands full this weekend.”

North Carolina is 13-11 against Miami and has won four straight games in the series. The Hurricanes haven’t won in Chapel Hill since 2017.

–Field Level Media

Oct 7, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal walks on the field in the second half against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Miami coach Mario Cristobal: ‘Wrong call’ lost game to Georgia Tech

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Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson tried to take responsibility Monday for calling the wrong play in the Hurricanes’ improbable loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday, but head coach Mario Cristobal was not having it.

“I made the wrong call,” Cristobal said at his weekly news conference. “I take full ownership in not taking a knee and giving them the opportunity to have a couple extra plays and preventing us from sealing the win.”

Miami (4-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) was leading 20-17 and could have taken a knee on third-and-10 from the Georgia Tech 30 with 26 seconds to play and run out the clock. The Yellow Jackets had no timeouts remaining.

Instead, Donald Chaney Jr. fumbled after a 4-yard gain, and the Yellow Jackets’ Kyle Kennard recovered at the 26. Four plays later, Haynes King’s 44-yard touchdown pass to Christian Leary with one second left gave visiting Georgia Tech a stunning 23-20 upset over then-No. 17 Miami.

“What we did at the end was the wrong decision. I called it,” Dawson said Monday. “… It was the wrong thing to do.”

Cristobal said the Hurricanes practice situations such as the victory formation.

“We didn’t do it Saturday, and we should have,” he said.

Earlier Monday, the coach of the now-No. 25 Hurricanes appeared as a guest on WQAM sports talk host Joe Rose’s radio show and didn’t shy away from the decision that’s been heavily criticized since Saturday night.

“There’s no way to rationalize it,” Cristobal said. “It’s the wrong decision. Should have kneeled it and didn’t do it.

“Like everything,” Cristobal told Rose, “we have a process. We got the first down and then after that, again, there’s no way to rationalize it. Just the wrong decision. Should have taken a knee, taken it out of the players’ hands.

“… We gave ourselves a chance at the end. But again, like I mentioned before, this entire program is based on accountability. We gave ourselves a chance to win and just gotta make that decision to take a knee. That’s it.”

Miami visits No. 12 North Carolina (5-0, 2-0) on Saturday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 14, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (9) runs with the football against the Bethune Cookman Wildcats during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

No. 22 Miami has no trouble dispatching Bethune-Cookman

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Tyler Van Dyke passed for two touchdowns and ran for another as the 22nd-ranked Miami Hurricanes routed the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 48-7 on Thursday night in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Van Dyke played just one half, completing 19 of 23 passes for 247 yards as Miami (3-0) cruised. The Hurricanes scored touchdowns on their first four possessions and nearly had a fifth if not for a fumble into the end zone by Colbie Young.

Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo had six catches for 120 yards for Miami. The Wildcats (1-2) have never beaten Miami, losing all seven games in the series.

Bethune-Cookman quarterback Luke Sprague, making his first start of the season, lasted just one series before leaving the game due to an injured right shoulder. Sprague went 3-for-3 for 23 yards, but he took a couple of big hits.

Miami played without four defensive starters, all out due to injury: All-American safety Kamren Kinchens; ends Akheem Mesidor and Nyjalik Kelly; and tackle Branson Dean.

Still, the Hurricanes led 14-0 after the first quarter, 34-0 at halftime and 41-0 heading into the fourth.

The Hurricanes were nearly flawless in the first half other than the fumble and one penalty for five yards.

Van Dyke went 5-for-5 for 34 yards passing on Miami’s first possession. He capped the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run.

The Hurricanes made it 14-0 on Ajay Allen’s 8-yard run, capping an 11-play, 93-yard march. A highlight on the drive was a 20-yard catch by Restrepo on third-and-7.

Miami extended its lead to 20-0 as Van Dyke threw a 20-yard scoring pass to Jacolby George on a bubble screen. Andres Borregales missed the extra point.

The Hurricanes made it 27-0 on a four-play, 55-yard drive. Donald Chaney Jr., who carried on every play, capped the march with a 3-yard rumble up the middle.

On its final possession of the first half, Miami moved 74 yards in just 35 seconds and four plays — all through the air. The touchdown came on a 27-yard post pattern to Brashard Smith with 27 seconds left in the first half to make it 34-0.

The Wildcats spoiled Miami’s shutout bid on Walter Simmons III’s 6-yard scoring run with 1:19 left in the game. Simmons made a great effort to reach for the right pylon.

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2023; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes safety James Williams (20) reacts as trainers check on Miami Hurricanes safety Kamren Kinchens (5) after an injury against the Texas A&M Aggies during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Miami S Kamren Kinchens says he’s ‘doing better’ after scary injury

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Miami All-American safety Kamren Kinchens, who was airlifted to a trauma center Saturday night at the end of the Hurricanes’ game, wrote on social media Sunday that he is “doing better.”

Kinchens collided with Texas A&M receiver Ainias Smith after a 20-yard completion with just under two minutes left in Miami’s 48-33 win and fell down to the turf. He was attended to for nearly 10 minutes before being removed from the field and taken to Ryder Trauma Center in Miami.

The school hasn’t yet revealed the nature of Kinchens’ injury, but later that night the program’s official Twitter account posted a photo of Kinchens sitting up in his hospital bed, making the school’s signature “U” with his hands.

Kinchens then released a short message Sunday afternoon.

“I want to Thank everyone for the prayers, I’m doing better Love Y’all,” Kinchens wrote.

Kinchens had seven tackles and an interception during the victory over then-No. 23 Texas A&M.

“So far, the reports that we have on (Kinchens) are that everything seem to be relatively normal, so I’m going to head over there right after I get done with the press conference and see how he’s doing,” Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal said in his postgame press conference. “I think we’re going to be fine. Obviously, aside from that, it’s hard to talk about the game when something like that happens, but the guys played really hard.”

Last season as a sophomore, Kinchens earned first-team All-American honors while grabbing six interceptions. He also was first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference.

Kinchens earned first-team preseason All-American honors prior to this season and is one of the team leaders.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman (15) warms up on the sideline during the first quarter against the New Mexico Lobos at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

No. 23 Texas A&M brings new-look attack to Miami

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No. 23 Texas A&M won a low-scoring slugfest when it faced Miami last season. But the Aggies’ offense looks nothing like it did a year ago entering Saturday afternoon’s rematch with the Hurricanes in Miami Gardens, Fla.

The Aggies gained just 264 total yards when they beat Miami 17-9 in September 2022 in College Station, Texas. They got only 140 passing yards from then-starting quarterback Max Johnson, and De’Von Achane, who carried the run game, is now in the NFL.

It’s a new year, and Texas A&M (1-0) appears to have settled its quarterback question. Sophomore Conner Weigman, a former five-star prospect, had as many passing touchdowns as incompletions (five) in a season-opening, 52-10 win over New Mexico.

Three of Weigman’s touchdowns went to Noah Thomas, all in the first half, while Evan Stewart added eight receptions for 115 yards and two scores.

“When they had unblocked defenders and people got through, I thought Conner did an excellent job of buying time, stepping one or two little steps away by just a couple feet to be able to get the ball out his hands,” Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher said. “And he was really good, and still accurate with it and got the ball to playmakers.”

The Aggies’ defense faces a stiffer test this week against an experienced quarterback in Tyler Van Dyke and a Miami rushing attack that gained 250 yards in the season-opening win over Miami (Ohio).

The Hurricanes (1-0) got rushing touchdowns from Mark Fletcher Jr., Henry Parrish Jr. and Donald Chaney Jr. in the second half — ranging from 12 to 26 yards — to pull away for a 38-3 victory.

“We got the guys up front and physicality, but it’s a different opponent,” Fisher said. “Miami is a very good opponent and they know how to run it. (Miami coach Mario Cristobal is) a line coach himself. He’s gonna have those guys ready to run it and you guys still gotta play the play-action passes and things are always gonna come off those things.”

Cristobal is wary of Texas A&M’s sizable defensive front, which could make things tougher in the run game. Meanwhile, Van Dyke wore tape on the index finger of his throwing hand in the opener — he purportedly bruised it in late August — but Cristobal said he has no limits.

“So much was made of it in the media when they saw him with it. Some people thought it was a prosthetic finger or something,” Cristobal said. “Whatever makes him feel comfortable.”

Miami wants to avenge last year’s loss and make a statement in its only marquee nonconference game.

“The juice takes care of itself,” Cristobal said. “I don’t think there’s anything I can do at a practice or meeting to increase that. They’re well aware of the opportunity that we have in front of us.”

According to Cristobal, wide receiver Colbie Young is OK after leaving the opener early with a possible leg injury. Tight end Elijah Arroyo missed the opener with an injury, but Cristobal said there was “a good chance” he’d be available against Texas A&M.

Texas A&M linebacker JD Davis, who was “banged up” against New Mexico, per Fisher, is expected to play.

–Field Level Media

Jul 25, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke answers questions during ACC Media Days at The Westin Charlotte. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke mulled transfer, stayed for Mario Cristobal

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Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke was tempted to transfer out of the program, he said on Tuesday at ACC Media Days in Charlotte, N.C.

But Van Dyke “couldn’t do it,” he said, instead explaining his allegiance to Miami coach Mario Cristobal.

After the Hurricanes finished Cristobal’s first season 5-7, Van Dyke said five programs contacted him, trying to persuade him to enter the transfer portal.

“There was a time, everything was so bad with how the season went, and I had no idea what was going on with the coaching staff, that I was considering (a transfer),” Van Dyke said. “But I couldn’t do it. This is where I wanted to be the entire time.”

Van Dyke, entering his third year as Miami’s starting quarterback, conveyed his belief in Cristobal, who was hired ahead of the 2022 season after a successful run as head coach of Oregon.

“I’ve had immense trust in Coach Cristobal throughout this entire process,” Van Dyke said. “The guys he’s brought in to help our team. Just the coaches he brought in to help us as players. It’s been great. This offseason, we’ve worked hard.

“(There are) a lot more guys in our leadership council, and a lot of the guys stepped up. Nobody wants to be 5-7. So it set a fire under us. And now, like I said before, we’re just excited to get things going.”

Van Dyke threw for 1,835 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions in nine starts last season after earning 2021 ACC Rookie of the Year honors. He took over the starting job that year when D’Eriq King went down with an early-season injury and threw for 2,931 yards, 25 touchdowns and six picks in 10 games.

Van Dyke may not have transferred, but the Hurricanes lost almost two dozen players to the portal after the disappointing 2022 campaign. Cristobal also replaced both of his coordinators; he fired offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, while defensive coordinator Kevin Steele left for the same job at Alabama.

Shannon Dawson will be Miami’s new offensive coordinator and Lance Guidry is the new DC. Dawson was hired away from Houston.

“What Shannon has done in his history really fits Tyler, his skill set, the pieces around him,” Cristobal said. “It gives him the opportunity to enhance a supporting cast.”

As for the expectations for Cristobal’s second year coaching his alma mater, the 52-year-old used the “r” word — rebuilding.

“I think whenever you start up at a program again, and it has a rebuilding aspect, you have to sometimes go through a season like that and not make any excuse or sugarcoat it, but you go directly at the things that need to be addressed, and it starts with people,” Cristobal said. “People in the locker room, people on the coaching staff, people in a support staff role.

“Now, we’re eager to get to camp so we can put all of that to good use, and the bottom line is just to get to work. Not worry about anything or anyone and just get to work and put to good use this hard work that we have done.”

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2022; Northport, AL, USA; Tuscaloosa County High's running back Kevin Riley (6) runs the ball against Hewitt-Trussville at Tuscaloosa County High School Thursday, Sept. 8, 2022. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-Tuscaloosa News Football Hewitt Trussville Vs Tuscaloosa County High School Football

Miami earns commitment from 4-star RB Kevin Riley

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Running back Kevin Riley, a top-100 high school recruit in the Class of 2024, said Monday that he will play his college football at Miami.

Riley attends Tuscaloosa County High School in Alabama and had the Crimson Tide as a finalist. He chose coach Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes over Alabama, Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia and a host of other Power Five schools.

“After a great talk with Coach Cristobal and the entire Hurricane Staff I would like to proudly announce my commitment to the University of Miami,” Riley wrote on social media.

Riley is listed as 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds. He’s ranked No. 81 overall in the Class of 2024 and the No. 6 running back, according to the 247Sports composite.

Cristobal took over at Miami, his alma mater, in 2022 after a five-year run at Oregon. The Hurricanes went 5-7 in his first season.

–Field Level Media