The Miami Hurricanes convincingly beat the Syracuse Orange today at Hard Rock Stadium, 38-10. It was a sluggish first half until a couple of touchdowns by the home team late in the second quarter provided
some cushion. The Canes played a much more complete second half. For the game, Miami forced three turnovers and had six sacks in another solid defensive performance.
Let’s get to the three stars of the game.
1. Keionte Scott
Miami’s best defensive back made the biggest play of the game. With 1:50 left in the first half, Scott intercepted Syracuse quarterback Rickie Collins and returned it for a 38-yard touchdown. The pick-six put the Canes up 14-0 and gave the team the spark they desperately needed. Scott only had one tackle on the day, but it was a sack. Efficient. He’s a semifinalist for the Thorpe award. I also saw he was a midseason First Team All-American. Keionte Scott deserves it all. He’s been awesome this year.
2. Keelan Marion
Miami’s #0 on offense equalled his numerical counterpart on defense with his own explosive touchdown. Marion had a picture perfect 61-yard catch-and-run touchdown on the Canes’ opening drive of the second half. He finished with three catches for 118 yards and the aforementioned touchdown. Marion’s three receptions were for 25, 30, and 61 yards. Those are the types of plays this offense needs the rest of the season! I like Keelan Marion. I hope he is more involved in the passing game for the Canes moving forward.
3. Akheem Mesidor
The senior defensive end was a menace up front today. He finished with four total tackles, 3.5 TFL, and 1.5 sacks. Mesidor also forced a fumble late in the second quarter when the Miami lead was only 14-0. Syracuse was driving for a touchdown, plus they were receiving the second half kickoff. That turnover killed whatever momentum the Orange had for the rest of the game. I am curious to see how Mesidor tests for the NFL. I have to think he will be a solid rotational pass rusher at the least. Either way, he’s been a really good Miami Hurricane.
Honorable mention:
Gerard Pringle – The freshman running back made a nice impact today with Mark Fletcher Jr. out. He finished with seven carries for 55 yards and a touchdown.
Jakobe Thomas – Miami’s other big-play defensive played a solid game, especially late in the third quarter. He had a sack, then an interception on back-to-back plays. I love his intensity.
Justin Scott – The sophomore defensive tackle is starting to show why he was a five-star coming out of high school. He is hard to move and can make plays in the offensive backfield. Scott finished with four total tackles, including 2 TFL.
Who were your three stars of the game? Let us know in the comments below.
GO CANES!
