The Miami Hurricanes (6-1) covered the spread in a 42-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal (3-5) Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium. The ‘Canes are still alive for the postseason even after a 7-7 halftime
tie against a ‘bottom 30’ Stanford squad.
The Canyonero Keys for Miami theme was to caveman the Cardinal to death. The individual keys were:
1- Protect Carson Beck. Miami’s offensive line allowed zero sacks once again, and Beck was hardly pressured. His small handful of pressures did result in two dropped interceptions- the difference between Louisville and Stanford on defense.
2- Play disciplined football. Miami was still flagged five times for 30 yards, but that’s less than half the yardage the ‘Canes normally give away to their opponent. Miami also came away without a turnover, and the ‘Canes looked good on kick and punt return.
3- Pursue and Finish. Miami ended the game with sacks, TFL’s, PBU’s, and takeaways. The ‘Canes held the Cards to 3.4 yards per pass and 2.0 yards per carry. I’d say they improved on the pursuit and finish vs. SU.
The Doppler
The Miami offense went 11-of-20 on money downs but did have to settle for going for it on 4th down five times against a bad defense. Outside of the first quarter, Miami’s defense won money downs vs. Stanford. The ‘Canes held the Cardinals to 5-of-16 on 3rd and 4th down.
Miami picked off Stanford’s QB, Ben Gulbranson, twice on Saturday night. And on the flipside of a week ago the ‘Canes didn’t turn the ball over in their win.
Ah penalty yards. Miami lost the penalty yardage portion of our show 30 to 10 to once again be the less disciplined team on the field. That’s how lowly SU can hang with UM for a half of football.
Another way is that Carter Davis finally missed a field goal. Davis is now 6-of-7 a vast improvement over his career at FAU. Malachi Toney was electric as the punt returner averaging 36.5 yards per return on two PR’s.
Miami Offense
We said the best plan was to caveman Stanford to death and it worked. Miami ran the ball 44 times including 23 from Mark Fletcher. Fletcher averaged 4.6 yards per carry and scored three times on the ground. Miami as a team scored five times on the ground while averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
Carson Beck averaged 6.8 yards per pass attempt with a touchdown throw to CJ Daniels. Beck hit seven different receivers but only two averaged double-digit yards per catch. Toney was one with 10.4 yards per grab and Tony Johnson was the other. Johnson averaged 23 yards per catch with a 30-yard long.
The Miami O-Line didn’t allow a sack but did allow five TFL’s. The ‘never have a negative play’ stuff has gone out of the window.
Above– Beck is really having a hard time throwing guys open. He reminds me of Tyler Van Dyke at times. He throws this behind the WR who has to stop, turn, and then re-accelerate vs. run in stride. If this is a worthy adversary that could be a pick 6 ball.
Above– When an OT opens their hips and shoulders the LB’ers know where the hole is going to be. I’m not sure why Mauigoa turns like this when he has help on a kickout coming but he does and it opens the lane for the LB and a TFL.
Above– More bad ball placement on a slide route. Again, if SU has even an average defense these are potentially pick 6 throws. Stanford dropped two picks, one that hit a guy in the face.
Above– Now for a perfectly thrown ball on 4th down. Daniels drops this one and it results in a turnover on downs. Can’t put it in a better place than that.
Above– The announcers got one right (broken clock theory) by saying players not plays. Shannon Dawson’s jet sweep is getting too obvious and the defense knew it was coming. Toney is just that damn good. He turns this picture into a 1st own and nearly a TD.
Above– Daniels might drop an easy slant but he sure can make tough catches. Reminds me of Chris T. Jones in that regard. This is a PBU against anyone else but Daniels steals the ball off the DB’s shoulder. 3rd and goal red zone fade? Dawson needs to get more creative.
Above– Pros and cons of shoulder turning. The defender knows right where it’s going, he just doesn’t want any part of Fletcher and waits inside the end zone for no.4. If he’s smart he shoots Fletcher low with his eyes on his thighs.
Above– One thing teams have figured out is that C James Brockermeyer can’t win a 1-on-1. Anyone that uses a 0-technique (NT over the center) has a clear advantage over the Miami OL. A zero would cause the blocking scheme to change to make sure a combo is on to help the center.
Above– Here’s Duo again. less shoulder turn at the first level (DL). OL able to get up to the 2nd level (LB) and spring this free for a TD.
Miami Defense
The ‘Canes defense held Stanford to seven points and a 3rd down conversion percentage in the 30% range while taking the ball away twice. That is how a Miami defense should look regardless of opponent. Gulbranson finished with only 2.6 yards per pass attempt with one TD and two INT’s.
RB Cole Tabb averaged 3.4 yards per carry while Champ Hampton rushed for 15 yards on two carries. Miami native Sedrick Irvin Jr. averaged only one yard per carry.
Much like Miami, SU had two receivers hit double-digit yards per catch. Caden High averaged 12 yards per grab with a touchdown while CJ Williams averaged 11 ypc.
Miami got to the QB twice for -20 yards and added six TFL’s with six PBU’s. Wesley Bissainthe and Xavier Lucas had the picks for Miami. Lucas also had a sack, TFL, and PBU.
Above– Lightfoot plays football like a JV jit. He has no feel for down blocks which lets you know that a kick out is coming.
Above– And here’s the kickout. He takes it on with the inside shoulder instead of wrong-arming it. This is exactly what the offense wants as the back comes inside of him, then works outside.
Above– What does Chris Berman say? WHOOP. Miami missed some more tackles early and got that cleaned up after the 1st quarter but imagine flying into your own bench with no idea how to tempo yourself and finish a play at this level.
Above– One step is really three. Beautifully ran Fin-Corner concept for an easy TD.
Above– There was a moment in the game where Blay had more penalties (two) in one game than he had TFL’s and sacks COMBINED on the season. I think he’s ahead now with 2.5 TFL’s and 0 sacks in ‘25. It’s never a good sign for an OL when they turn around to watch the play.
Above– I’m far from a cry baby that thinks Miami gets hosed on calls. I think refs are terrible at their job and some of that is because of review. But this was a horrific miss on the RT’s hold here. Never let a game come down to the refs or the kicker but c’mon ACC.
The Wrap
Miami came out sluggish at home after a home loss a week ago. The ‘Canes can’t play this poorly in the first half against SMU on the road or it could mean a second ACC loss on the season. Mario Cristobal needs to figure out how to motivate this team, especially a group of transfer portal players who have already got what they came for.
Miami covered the spread and in the end they don’t ask how, they ask how many. Miami can still make the ACC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff. The ‘Canes are going to be favorites in every game from here on out as long as they stay 1-0.
