Udynasty
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TAKEAWAYS FROM MIAMI's 38-10 WIN OVER SYRACUSE
The No. 18 Miami Hurricanes (7-2, 3-2 ACC) kept their postseason hopes alive with a dominant 38-10 win over Syracuse on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium. It wasn’t pretty early as Miami opened with four straight punts and struggled to find rhythm but once the offense clicked, it was all Miami. Miami needed a statement win and they delivered one. Here are five key takeaways from the victory:
Miami Opens Up the Offense
After a sluggish start that featured four straight punts, Miami’s offense finally found its rhythm and when it did, it was explosive. Shannon Dawson dug deep into his playbook, dialing up a mix of creative and deceptive plays that left Syracuse guessing. The breakthrough came late in the first half when Malachi Toney took an end-around pitch and tossed a pass back to quarterback Carson Beck for an easy 14-yard touchdown, giving Miami its first score. The trickery didn’t stop there: Daylyn Upshaw’s 41-yard tunnel screen set up another key drive, while Girard Pringle’s outside speed was on full display as he broke free for a 19-yard touchdown to make it 28-3. Even the big men got in on the action when Beck threw a throwback screen to offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa for a three-yard score that capped the night at 38-3. It was an overdue showcase of creativity and explosiveness that fans have been waiting for all season.
Miami’s Defense Was Rock Solid
Corey Hetherman’s defense put together one of its most complete performances of the year, suffocating Syracuse from start to finish. The Hurricanes forced three turnovers and only allowed the Orange to cross midfield three times all game. Keionte Scott had another spectacular night, jumping a route for a pick-six to give the Canes a 14-0 lead. Akheem Mesidor also came up clutch, stripping the ball near the red zone to stop what looked like Syracuse’s best scoring chance of the night. From the front line to the secondary, Miami’s defense dictated the tone, swarming to the ball and never allowing the Orange offense to breathe.
Girard Pringle Needs More Snaps
It’s becoming harder and harder to justify limiting Girard Pringle Jr.’s touches. The freshman’s blend of vision, acceleration, and edge burst continues to give Miami’s run game another dimension. Pringle led all rushers with 55 yards on seven carries, highlighted by a dazzling 19-yard touchdown run where he bounced outside, broke a tackle, and accelerated into the end zone. His ability to change direction and explode into open space makes him a nightmare for defenses trying to contain the perimeter. If Miami wants to keep evolving offensively, Pringle deserves an expanded role in both the running and passing game going forward.
Carson Beck Played a Clean Game
While Miami’s offense sputtered early, Carson Beck stayed composed and delivered a steady, mistake-free performance once things opened up. The veteran quarterback finished 18-of-24 for 247 yards and a touchdown, efficiently spreading the ball to his playmakers and showing poise under pressure. Beck’s connection with Keelan Marion stood out particularly on the 61-yard slant that turned into a breakaway touchdown in the third quarter. More importantly, Beck didn’t force the ball or make risky decisions, something that plagued him early in the season. This was the balanced, controlled version of Beck Miami needs down the stretch.
Miami Finally Shows Discipline
Perhaps the most encouraging stat of the night wasn’t found on the scoreboard but in the penalty column. Miami, one of the most penalized teams in the nation, committed just five penalties for 54 yards, fewer than Syracuse’s eight for 65 yards. That’s a significant improvement for a team that’s often killed its own drives with mental mistakes. The reduction in penalties reflected a more focused and composed effort on both sides of the ball, especially in the second half.
Can Miami continue to build on this win against NC State?
