This was the best performance of the season. But for the rest of the year, we're on a tightrope with no net. So while vibes are high right now, there's still a ton of work ahead. Here are some thoughts on the weekend before moving onto Blacksburg.
- Girard Pringle is exactly what this running game needed. He's really fast (10.56 100M), but he also runs with a decisive one-cut style that keeps the offense on schedule. He was a workhorse at Armwood with 30+ carry games, so he's capable of playing bigger than his size. While the opposing defenses will get tougher than Syracuse and NC State, Pringle is RB1 until proven otherwise.
One area I'd like to see him continue to expand is his receiving (32 yards on Saturday). He's not going to be a reliable pass protector at this stage of his career (see sack on first drive), but his ability to get out and make big plays as a receiver helps mitigate against that. I hope at one point we get to see our backfield at full strength with Mark Fletcher back. They can be Thunder and Lightning while also playing at the same time. I know Jordan Lyle is disappointed, as Pringle's role was supposed to be his, but this program is built on competition and Pringle has maximized his opportunities.
- The Class of 2025 is looking more and more like a hit. We already talked about Pringle. Malachi Toney can run, catch, return, pass and bury defenders (see his block on Pringle's 18-yard 3rd quarter run). Elite football player. Bryce Fitzgerald is a starter and impactful in the passing game. Herbert Scroggins and Donta Simpson get bigger roles every week. Josh Moore and Daylyn Upshaw are heating up. SJ Alofaituli, Luka Gilbert and Jaboree Antoine played meaningful snaps. We haven't even seen five-star Hayden Lowe yet. In terms of depth of talent, I think this group will exceed the higher-ranked classes of '23 and '24.
- This run defense is borderline dominant. We're up to 4th nationally in yards per carry against, and even that seems to sell them short. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price have been ridiculous against everyone else and they only ran for 78 yards combined against the Canes. Hollywood Smothers and Jayden Scott came into the Rock averaging 6+ yards per carry. They only mustered 25 yards (1.9 YPC) on Saturday. Even in the SMU loss, our defense only gave up 23 rushing yards. Salute to the coaches and an underrated group of DTs and LBs, along with the rest of the defense swarming to the ball.
- The defensive line absolutely annihilated CJ Bailey and NC State. Justin Scott has stepped up in David Blay's absence and might be taking that step as a five-star true sophomore. Ahmad Moten returned and was disruptive as ever. Him and Scroggins tore through the OL on Bailey's second INT. Scroggins has added a ton of good weight and is embracing the tutelage of Akheem Mesidor. They've been doing extra work together since spring and it's paying off.
Armondo Blount spent most of the game at defensive tackle and I think that's his long-term spot. He just turned 19 and is only going to get bigger. He and Marquise Lightfoot have five-star movement skills, but they also play with really high motors. That pure activity allows them to make an impact as they hone their pass rush skill.
- The post-spring Portal season (RIP) was a massive hit for us. Jakobe Thomas and Keionte Scott look like first-team All-ACC players, Keelan Marion keeps getting better, Marty Brown is playing a consistent role and Mo Toure is a key part in our elite run defense. Everybody talks about evaluation out of high school, but it's just as important in the Portal and the staff did an excellent job this year.
- I thought this was Carson Beck's best game as a Hurricane. His release is lightning quick and can be deadly when he's in rhythm. Believe it or not, Miami is currently 22nd in scoring offense nationally (32.4 PPG against FBS opponents). That would be our second highest-ranked scoring offense since Dorsey. Of course, we watch the games and know that inconsistency on offense is the reason we're scraping for the last playoff spot instead of walking into Charlotte. But there are still many things going right on that side of the ball.
Now it's onto Virginia Tech and a bad Hokies team. But as we know from the last twenty Novembers, it's about Miami and not the opponent. Go Canes.
- Girard Pringle is exactly what this running game needed. He's really fast (10.56 100M), but he also runs with a decisive one-cut style that keeps the offense on schedule. He was a workhorse at Armwood with 30+ carry games, so he's capable of playing bigger than his size. While the opposing defenses will get tougher than Syracuse and NC State, Pringle is RB1 until proven otherwise.
One area I'd like to see him continue to expand is his receiving (32 yards on Saturday). He's not going to be a reliable pass protector at this stage of his career (see sack on first drive), but his ability to get out and make big plays as a receiver helps mitigate against that. I hope at one point we get to see our backfield at full strength with Mark Fletcher back. They can be Thunder and Lightning while also playing at the same time. I know Jordan Lyle is disappointed, as Pringle's role was supposed to be his, but this program is built on competition and Pringle has maximized his opportunities.
- The Class of 2025 is looking more and more like a hit. We already talked about Pringle. Malachi Toney can run, catch, return, pass and bury defenders (see his block on Pringle's 18-yard 3rd quarter run). Elite football player. Bryce Fitzgerald is a starter and impactful in the passing game. Herbert Scroggins and Donta Simpson get bigger roles every week. Josh Moore and Daylyn Upshaw are heating up. SJ Alofaituli, Luka Gilbert and Jaboree Antoine played meaningful snaps. We haven't even seen five-star Hayden Lowe yet. In terms of depth of talent, I think this group will exceed the higher-ranked classes of '23 and '24.
- This run defense is borderline dominant. We're up to 4th nationally in yards per carry against, and even that seems to sell them short. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price have been ridiculous against everyone else and they only ran for 78 yards combined against the Canes. Hollywood Smothers and Jayden Scott came into the Rock averaging 6+ yards per carry. They only mustered 25 yards (1.9 YPC) on Saturday. Even in the SMU loss, our defense only gave up 23 rushing yards. Salute to the coaches and an underrated group of DTs and LBs, along with the rest of the defense swarming to the ball.
- The defensive line absolutely annihilated CJ Bailey and NC State. Justin Scott has stepped up in David Blay's absence and might be taking that step as a five-star true sophomore. Ahmad Moten returned and was disruptive as ever. Him and Scroggins tore through the OL on Bailey's second INT. Scroggins has added a ton of good weight and is embracing the tutelage of Akheem Mesidor. They've been doing extra work together since spring and it's paying off.
Armondo Blount spent most of the game at defensive tackle and I think that's his long-term spot. He just turned 19 and is only going to get bigger. He and Marquise Lightfoot have five-star movement skills, but they also play with really high motors. That pure activity allows them to make an impact as they hone their pass rush skill.
- The post-spring Portal season (RIP) was a massive hit for us. Jakobe Thomas and Keionte Scott look like first-team All-ACC players, Keelan Marion keeps getting better, Marty Brown is playing a consistent role and Mo Toure is a key part in our elite run defense. Everybody talks about evaluation out of high school, but it's just as important in the Portal and the staff did an excellent job this year.
- I thought this was Carson Beck's best game as a Hurricane. His release is lightning quick and can be deadly when he's in rhythm. Believe it or not, Miami is currently 22nd in scoring offense nationally (32.4 PPG against FBS opponents). That would be our second highest-ranked scoring offense since Dorsey. Of course, we watch the games and know that inconsistency on offense is the reason we're scraping for the last playoff spot instead of walking into Charlotte. But there are still many things going right on that side of the ball.
Now it's onto Virginia Tech and a bad Hokies team. But as we know from the last twenty Novembers, it's about Miami and not the opponent. Go Canes.
