So it's not always sunny in Philadelphia, but it didn't matter all that much to the Miami Hurricanes who just methodically and systematically beat the Temple Owls, 41-7, at Lincoln Financial Field on what a wet, windy and rainy day. Miami improved to 4-0 as they go into a bye week before hitting ACC play versus Georgia Tech on October 7.
What was most impressive about this victory, was that Miami just went about the game in workmanlike fashion, and just steadily beat Temple. There was some concern that the weather would impact how the Canes would go about their road trip. But they just came out running the ball by moving people upfront, and then Tyler Van Dyke hit some key downfield shots to Jacolby George, Xavier Restrepo and Colbie Young.
In the past, perhaps Miami would've scuffled a bit, and been in a dogfight, but on this particular gray afternoon, they were in complete control from the very beginning. Guys, this might actually be a really good team. How you win tells you a lot about a team.
If I recall correctly, Miami has had other 4-0 starts in recent years (2013, 2016, and 2017) but this feels different.
Some other thoughts on this game:
- How dominant was Miami upfront? The Hurricanes rushed for 320 yards (lead by Henry Parrish and his 139 yards on just 16 carries), while Temple totaled just 11 yards. They say that that running game travels, and that was certainly true today. In situations where it's not ideal, the ability to consistently churn out yards on the ground is invaluable.
- Leonard Taylor is a guy who is the subject of debate among Miami fans. It's not like anyone has him among the Jerome Brown's or Warren Sapp's of the world, but some question if he's really a guy who should be in the first round of mock drafts. Today he looked really disruptive inside, and consisently provided pressure upfront, and flushed EJ Warner out of the pocket a few times. This was one of his better games of his UM career.
- If there will a coaching point in this bye week from defensive coordinator, Lance Guidry, it will be on the secondary play. Which created a pair of turnovers (two INT's from TeCory Couch), but they did give up some big plays in the first half, and allowed the crafty Warner (the son of Hall-of-Famer, Kurt) to consistently extend drives. They allowed a late touchdown drive before halftime to put a damper on things going into the lockeroom. Warner was 15-for-22, 194 yards in the first half, before Miami throttled him in the last two quarters.
I still have some concerns about the ability to close out drives with the pass rush.
- Speaking of Parrish, can we give 'Runnin' Hank' some credit? For some reason it seems as though he's downplayed by some of our fanbase , and many assumed he would be passed up by the likes of Ajay Allen and Mark Fletcher this season. But once again, he is Miami's most consistent runner. No, he doesn't hit a lot of home runs, but he's the type of guy that if there is four yards in a play, he will get that four yards. He always seems to make the correct reads, runs bigger than his size and has quick feet.
- Up 38-7 in the fourth quarter instead of just handing the ball off and grinding the clock, Shannon Dawson just kept dialing up deep shots, and Van Dyke was throwing go-routes to Young. A questionable touchdown was wiped off the board with a questionable offensive pass interference, but the point was made -- Miami will keep attacking throughout the game. It's almost like they are sending a message to certain recruits.
- Yeah, I held by breath as I saw Matt Lee go down in the fourth. He is quite simply one of the two or three most indispensible players on this years team. He is that glue to that Oline. It's imperative that he stays healthy.
- Lastly, this was just a win over Temple( and not even a Matt Rhule lead Temple), so yeah, this needs to be kept in perspective. But on the other hand, it was almost a year ago today that the Hurricanes were embarrassed at home by Middle Tennessee State, in a loss that sent the rest of the '22 season into a tailspin. This year in week four, they just went about their business and were never threatened by Temple. That in itself is progress.
Now, onto October.
What was most impressive about this victory, was that Miami just went about the game in workmanlike fashion, and just steadily beat Temple. There was some concern that the weather would impact how the Canes would go about their road trip. But they just came out running the ball by moving people upfront, and then Tyler Van Dyke hit some key downfield shots to Jacolby George, Xavier Restrepo and Colbie Young.
In the past, perhaps Miami would've scuffled a bit, and been in a dogfight, but on this particular gray afternoon, they were in complete control from the very beginning. Guys, this might actually be a really good team. How you win tells you a lot about a team.
If I recall correctly, Miami has had other 4-0 starts in recent years (2013, 2016, and 2017) but this feels different.
Some other thoughts on this game:
- How dominant was Miami upfront? The Hurricanes rushed for 320 yards (lead by Henry Parrish and his 139 yards on just 16 carries), while Temple totaled just 11 yards. They say that that running game travels, and that was certainly true today. In situations where it's not ideal, the ability to consistently churn out yards on the ground is invaluable.
- Leonard Taylor is a guy who is the subject of debate among Miami fans. It's not like anyone has him among the Jerome Brown's or Warren Sapp's of the world, but some question if he's really a guy who should be in the first round of mock drafts. Today he looked really disruptive inside, and consisently provided pressure upfront, and flushed EJ Warner out of the pocket a few times. This was one of his better games of his UM career.
- If there will a coaching point in this bye week from defensive coordinator, Lance Guidry, it will be on the secondary play. Which created a pair of turnovers (two INT's from TeCory Couch), but they did give up some big plays in the first half, and allowed the crafty Warner (the son of Hall-of-Famer, Kurt) to consistently extend drives. They allowed a late touchdown drive before halftime to put a damper on things going into the lockeroom. Warner was 15-for-22, 194 yards in the first half, before Miami throttled him in the last two quarters.
I still have some concerns about the ability to close out drives with the pass rush.
- Speaking of Parrish, can we give 'Runnin' Hank' some credit? For some reason it seems as though he's downplayed by some of our fanbase , and many assumed he would be passed up by the likes of Ajay Allen and Mark Fletcher this season. But once again, he is Miami's most consistent runner. No, he doesn't hit a lot of home runs, but he's the type of guy that if there is four yards in a play, he will get that four yards. He always seems to make the correct reads, runs bigger than his size and has quick feet.
- Up 38-7 in the fourth quarter instead of just handing the ball off and grinding the clock, Shannon Dawson just kept dialing up deep shots, and Van Dyke was throwing go-routes to Young. A questionable touchdown was wiped off the board with a questionable offensive pass interference, but the point was made -- Miami will keep attacking throughout the game. It's almost like they are sending a message to certain recruits.
- Yeah, I held by breath as I saw Matt Lee go down in the fourth. He is quite simply one of the two or three most indispensible players on this years team. He is that glue to that Oline. It's imperative that he stays healthy.
- Lastly, this was just a win over Temple( and not even a Matt Rhule lead Temple), so yeah, this needs to be kept in perspective. But on the other hand, it was almost a year ago today that the Hurricanes were embarrassed at home by Middle Tennessee State, in a loss that sent the rest of the '22 season into a tailspin. This year in week four, they just went about their business and were never threatened by Temple. That in itself is progress.
Now, onto October.
