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In his Miami Hurricanes debut last week, QB D’Eriq King finished 16-24 (67%) for 144 yards and a TD, along with 83 rushing yards and another TD on the ground. While it was an encouraging first game, King identified a few areas he wants to improve on going forward when watching film this week, including making more big plays in the passing game.
"Watching last game, we have to improve the passing game a lot, have to start making plays,” King said. “Me giving receivers chances to make plays downfield - sometimes last game I would drop back, feel a little bit of pressure and try to escape. Probably should wait a little longer, try to make throws… If you can stay in the pocket a second longer, you have to do that - there’s room for improvement there.”
While King felt he left the pocket early on some occasions, the offensive line in pass protection played their part in allowing a lot of pressures on King when he did drop back, something Miami’s OL has historically struggled with over the past few years. Despite that, King preferred to point to how well the guys up front blocked in the run game vs. UAB, as the Canes were able to rush for 337 yards, their second-largest total vs. an FBS opponent since joining the ACC in 2004.
“Last year was last year, this year those guys have been great,” King said of the OL. “Rushing for over 300 yards, that’s a big improvement already.”
Next up, the Canes have a ranked, primetime matchup that will be featured on College GameDay this Saturday with #18 Louisville, a team Miami’s offense put up 52 points on last season.
"One of the reasons you come to Miami is to play in games like this,” King said. “Louisville is a great team, has great players… They play with a lot of energy. Both linebackers are fast, make plays downhill. Watch them on tape, the energy they play with (is great).”
"Watching last game, we have to improve the passing game a lot, have to start making plays,” King said. “Me giving receivers chances to make plays downfield - sometimes last game I would drop back, feel a little bit of pressure and try to escape. Probably should wait a little longer, try to make throws… If you can stay in the pocket a second longer, you have to do that - there’s room for improvement there.”
While King felt he left the pocket early on some occasions, the offensive line in pass protection played their part in allowing a lot of pressures on King when he did drop back, something Miami’s OL has historically struggled with over the past few years. Despite that, King preferred to point to how well the guys up front blocked in the run game vs. UAB, as the Canes were able to rush for 337 yards, their second-largest total vs. an FBS opponent since joining the ACC in 2004.
“Last year was last year, this year those guys have been great,” King said of the OL. “Rushing for over 300 yards, that’s a big improvement already.”
Next up, the Canes have a ranked, primetime matchup that will be featured on College GameDay this Saturday with #18 Louisville, a team Miami’s offense put up 52 points on last season.
"One of the reasons you come to Miami is to play in games like this,” King said. “Louisville is a great team, has great players… They play with a lot of energy. Both linebackers are fast, make plays downhill. Watch them on tape, the energy they play with (is great).”
