We looked like the same team as last week. The only thing that changed was the quality of opponent. FCS blowouts don't mean much, but consistency is identity. This is a physical and serious team. Position-by-position thoughts below:
QB
Carson Beck is a 23-year-old first round quarterback. Like Bo Nix at Oregon, he makes it look easy by consistently making the right play. Bethune didn't provide much resistance, but we're going to have an advantage up front every week in the ACC. When Beck has time, he has all the answers to the test.
As we mentioned during camp, Emory Williams has really worked hard on his body and looks twitchier. I'm sure he wants that overthrow to RayRay Joseph back, but overall there is improvement.
RB
I'll never understand why some are so negative on Mark Fletcher. No, he's not going to run like Edgerrin James. But his power is demoralizing for the other team. It's like bringing your big brother to a fight. He overwhelms smaller teams and matches up against the big dogs. And when he chips on passing plays, he knocks guys backwards. Championship teams have guys like Fletcher.
The running back room looks deep, and Jordan Lyle should be back very soon. Marty Brown fits like a glove and replaces some of Damien Martinez's physicality. Girard Pringle brings a different level of juice. I like how he runs North/South as a smaller player. Cristobal compared him to Jahmyr Gibbs during the recruiting process, and he wants to use him in similar fashion. Chris Wheatley-Humphrey showed some wiggle between the tackles and has gained good weight.
WR
Kevin Beard deserves some praise. The culture is right in the WR room. CJ Daniels sets the tone as the veteran. He's blocking like an animal while also making plays. Malachi Toney is one of our most consistent players, on and off the field. RayRay Joseph has looked more explosive since spring and it showed in this game. I'd like to see more of Daylyn Upshaw. He has a well-rounded skillset and works hard. On Saturday, he played sudden and strong after the catch.
TE
Elija Lofton doesn't look right. He was limping a bit on the sideline and isn't showing the pop we saw in spring. They're making a concerted effort to get him going, but it's not there right now. Brock Schott has wide receiver speed and linebacker strength. I'd like to see him take a bigger role on special teams and continue to get catch-and-run looks. While Luka Gilbert came in billed as a blocking TE, he actually looked better as a receiver in camp. He's a fluid runner and a hands-catcher with a wide radius.
OL
We didn't learn much from the first team. They're the best group in America. Matt McCoy and Samson Okunlola both moved around at G and LT. On the second team, the two young guys who played were SJ Alofaituli and Max Buchanan. Ryan Rodriguez performed well and is starting-caliber center. Alofaituli is playing out-of-position as an undersized guard, but he had a very nice block on the Pringle TD.
DE
One of the most impressive players on the field was Marquise Lightfoot. He moves at a different speed in person. Lightfoot was running down everything backside with motor and twitch. Rueben Bain is competing with Caleb Downs as the best defensive player in America. A lot of guys got snaps with Armondo Blount and Hayden Lowe unavailable, and that experience will help later in the year.
DT
The starters overwhelmed Bethune, as they should. Donta Simpson and Daylen Russell were 4th and 5th with Blount out, and they showed some flashes. Simpson got washed by a double team but looked quick getting in the backfield. Russell was bigger and more powerful than expected, albeit against a small opponent.
LB
A lot of guys got burn with Kamal Bonner out and Wes Bissainthe kicked out of the game. Veterans like Chase Smith and Jalyen Alderman provide an unusual amount of experienced depth in the Portal era. The guy I wanted to see was Kellen Wiley, Jr., and he didn't disappoint. He still has a lot to learn like most freshmen, but you can't coach his size, speed and intensity.
S
This group looks younger and deeper with the emergence of Bryce Fitzgerald and the move of Bobby Pruitt. Fitzgerald is a legitimate difference-maker in the passing game. He has the best ball skills I've seen at Miami in two decades, and he can move like a corner. Tackling will be the difference between first rounder and package player. Fitzgerald is already starting in passing downs, and I expect his role to grow.
Along with Jakoby Thomas, Pruitt brings a physical presence we lacked last year. He's also playing real snaps at DIME linebacker. Great defenses like Ohio State have players who can play in space and knock you back. Pruitt brings that skillset.
Nickel
The nickels were playing fast and decisive all day. Keionte Scott was one of the best players on the field with 3 TFLs, and Isaiah Taylor was right behind him with 2 TFLs. Good start for Coach Terry Jefferson's group.
CB
Through two games, we haven't seen teams really challenge us deep. They look the part and tackle. Next week will be much more of a challenge with USF's pace.
Overall, it was a clean win. We have a veteran quarterback, an elite offensive line, a power running game, dudes on the defensive line, man-coverage corners, and we protect the ball. That's the formula for success if we stay healthy and consistent.
QB
Carson Beck is a 23-year-old first round quarterback. Like Bo Nix at Oregon, he makes it look easy by consistently making the right play. Bethune didn't provide much resistance, but we're going to have an advantage up front every week in the ACC. When Beck has time, he has all the answers to the test.
As we mentioned during camp, Emory Williams has really worked hard on his body and looks twitchier. I'm sure he wants that overthrow to RayRay Joseph back, but overall there is improvement.
RB
I'll never understand why some are so negative on Mark Fletcher. No, he's not going to run like Edgerrin James. But his power is demoralizing for the other team. It's like bringing your big brother to a fight. He overwhelms smaller teams and matches up against the big dogs. And when he chips on passing plays, he knocks guys backwards. Championship teams have guys like Fletcher.
The running back room looks deep, and Jordan Lyle should be back very soon. Marty Brown fits like a glove and replaces some of Damien Martinez's physicality. Girard Pringle brings a different level of juice. I like how he runs North/South as a smaller player. Cristobal compared him to Jahmyr Gibbs during the recruiting process, and he wants to use him in similar fashion. Chris Wheatley-Humphrey showed some wiggle between the tackles and has gained good weight.
WR
Kevin Beard deserves some praise. The culture is right in the WR room. CJ Daniels sets the tone as the veteran. He's blocking like an animal while also making plays. Malachi Toney is one of our most consistent players, on and off the field. RayRay Joseph has looked more explosive since spring and it showed in this game. I'd like to see more of Daylyn Upshaw. He has a well-rounded skillset and works hard. On Saturday, he played sudden and strong after the catch.
TE
Elija Lofton doesn't look right. He was limping a bit on the sideline and isn't showing the pop we saw in spring. They're making a concerted effort to get him going, but it's not there right now. Brock Schott has wide receiver speed and linebacker strength. I'd like to see him take a bigger role on special teams and continue to get catch-and-run looks. While Luka Gilbert came in billed as a blocking TE, he actually looked better as a receiver in camp. He's a fluid runner and a hands-catcher with a wide radius.
OL
We didn't learn much from the first team. They're the best group in America. Matt McCoy and Samson Okunlola both moved around at G and LT. On the second team, the two young guys who played were SJ Alofaituli and Max Buchanan. Ryan Rodriguez performed well and is starting-caliber center. Alofaituli is playing out-of-position as an undersized guard, but he had a very nice block on the Pringle TD.
DE
One of the most impressive players on the field was Marquise Lightfoot. He moves at a different speed in person. Lightfoot was running down everything backside with motor and twitch. Rueben Bain is competing with Caleb Downs as the best defensive player in America. A lot of guys got snaps with Armondo Blount and Hayden Lowe unavailable, and that experience will help later in the year.
DT
The starters overwhelmed Bethune, as they should. Donta Simpson and Daylen Russell were 4th and 5th with Blount out, and they showed some flashes. Simpson got washed by a double team but looked quick getting in the backfield. Russell was bigger and more powerful than expected, albeit against a small opponent.
LB
A lot of guys got burn with Kamal Bonner out and Wes Bissainthe kicked out of the game. Veterans like Chase Smith and Jalyen Alderman provide an unusual amount of experienced depth in the Portal era. The guy I wanted to see was Kellen Wiley, Jr., and he didn't disappoint. He still has a lot to learn like most freshmen, but you can't coach his size, speed and intensity.
S
This group looks younger and deeper with the emergence of Bryce Fitzgerald and the move of Bobby Pruitt. Fitzgerald is a legitimate difference-maker in the passing game. He has the best ball skills I've seen at Miami in two decades, and he can move like a corner. Tackling will be the difference between first rounder and package player. Fitzgerald is already starting in passing downs, and I expect his role to grow.
Along with Jakoby Thomas, Pruitt brings a physical presence we lacked last year. He's also playing real snaps at DIME linebacker. Great defenses like Ohio State have players who can play in space and knock you back. Pruitt brings that skillset.
Nickel
The nickels were playing fast and decisive all day. Keionte Scott was one of the best players on the field with 3 TFLs, and Isaiah Taylor was right behind him with 2 TFLs. Good start for Coach Terry Jefferson's group.
CB
Through two games, we haven't seen teams really challenge us deep. They look the part and tackle. Next week will be much more of a challenge with USF's pace.
Overall, it was a clean win. We have a veteran quarterback, an elite offensive line, a power running game, dudes on the defensive line, man-coverage corners, and we protect the ball. That's the formula for success if we stay healthy and consistent.
