Game Day Notes: Miami Hurricanes at NC State

RV/RV MIAMI HURRICANES (6-2, 2-2 ACC)

HEAD COACH: Mario Cristobal (Miami, 1993) | CAREER: 73-69 (12th season) | AT MIAMI: 11-9 (second season)

AT

NC STATE WOLFPACK (5-3, 2-2 ACC)

HEAD COACH: Dave Doeren (Drake, 1994) | CAREER: 100-61 (13th season) | AT NC STATE: 77-57 (11th season)

Saturday, November 4, 2023 8 PM ET | ACC Network

Raleigh, N.C., Carter-Finley Stadium (56,919)

THE GAME

• Coming off a 29-26 OT win over Virginia, the Miami Hurricanes continue their second season under the direction of head coach Mario Cristobal on Sat., November 4 with an ACC road tilt at NC State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C. Kickoff for the game is set for 8 p.m.

• The game will be broadcast on ACC Network with Wes Durham (pxp), Tim Hasselebeck (color) & Taylor Tannebaum (sideline) on the call. Joe Zagacki (pxp) & Don Bailey, Jr. (color) are in the 560 WQAM radio booth for the 22nd season. americaradio 1260 AM and WVUM 90.5 FM will also broadcast. THE SERIES

• The Hurricanes lead the all-time series against the Wolfpack, 11-5-1, including a 4-1 lead in games played in Raleigh – the last one in 2020, a 44-41 win.

• Miami is looking for its fifth straight win in the series, having won the last four matchups in 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2021. Miami’s last loss came in 2008.

• In the 2021 matchup between the two teams, QB Tyler Van Dyke threw for 325 yards and four touchdowns in a 31-30 upset win over No. 18 NC State.

THE HURRICANES

• Miami continues Year 2 of the Mario Cristobal Era Oct. 28 when it travels to NC State for its fifth of eight straight conference games to close 2023.

• Coming off a 29-26 overtime win vs. Virginia, Miami was receiving votes in both the Associated Press and US LBM Coaches Poll Sunday. The win was Miami’s sixth of the season, which clinched bowl eligibility in Year 2 under Cristobal. It was UM’s second straight overtime victory (Oct. 21 vs. Clemson)

• Three Hurricanes were honored following the win; Rueben Bain was recognized with ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week, Kam Kinchens was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week and Andy Borregales won ACC Specialist of the Week. Bain won d-lineman honors for the second straight week.

• The Hurricanes picked up an impressive win over #23/#22 Texas A&M, 48-33, on Sept. 9. Miami’s win was its first ranked win during Cristobal’s tenure.

• Cristobal, a double alum of the University, was named the 26th head coach in program history by school president Dr. Julio Frenk on Dec. 6, 2021.

• Cristobal returned home after spending the previous four seasons as head coach at Oregon, where he won two Pac-12 titles and captured a Rose Bowl.

• Cristobal is regarded as one of the nations top recruiters, and in his first recruiting cycle as Miami head coach, the Hurricanes signed the best class in program history according to the 247Sports Composite; it was the top-ranked class in the Atlantic Coast Conference and the top class in the state.

• The second-year Miami head coach hired Shannon Dawson from the University of Houston as the team’s new offensive coordinator and Lance Guidry from Marshall as the team’s new defensive coordinator entering 2023. In total, there are new faces in seven of 10 assistant coach roles; in addition to Dawson and Guidry, Cristobal hired Derek Nicholson (from Louisville) to coach linebackers, Tim Harris, Jr., (UCF) to coach running backs, Kevin Beard (Toledo) to coach wide receivers and elevated both Jason Taylor (defensive line) and Cody Woodiel (tight ends) from analyst roles.

• QB Tyler Van Dyke entered his second full year as a starter with high expectations after an injury-riddled 2022 season. Van Dyke, named to the watch list for the Johnny Unitas Award, earned ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year honors as a second-year freshman in 2021.

• After a breakout season where he earned All-America honors, Kam Kinchens was named to the watch list for nearly every major defensive award, including the Bednarik Award, the Nagurski Trophy and the Thorpe Award. He was also named a Preseason All-American by the Associated Press.

• TE Elijah Arroyo (Mackey Award), K Andy Borregales (Lou Groza Award), OL Javion Cohen (Outland Trophy), OL Matt Lee (Rimington Award) and DL Leonard Taylor (Bednarik) were also among those recognized with preseason watch list selections for major awards entering 2023.

HURRICANES TO BATTLE WOLFPACK

• Following a 29-26 OT win over Virginia on Oct. 28 , Miami continues its second season under Mario Cristobal on Nov. 4 with a road matchup at NC State.

• The Hurricanes have won eight of the last 10 matchups overall, including four in a row in the series and back-to-back wins in Raleigh. UM has not lost to the Wolfpack in Raleigh since 2008 – a 38-28 decision.

• With the win over the Cavaliers, Miami clinched bowl eligbility in Year 2 under Cristobal. Miami’s 6-2 start to 2023 marks the fourth time the Hurricanes have won six of their first eight games since 2010.

UM’S BACK-TO-BACK OT WINS A RARITY

• When Miami and Virginia pushed its game into overtime on Oct. 28, it marked the first time in a season in Hurricanes history that Miami played two overtime games in the same year.

• Coming off a 2OT win the previous weekend over Clemson on Oct. 21, the Hurricanes became the first FBS team since Georgia Southern in 2019 to win overtime decisions in back-to-back games.

• The Hurricanes’ successful back-to-back trips to overtime marked only the 12th instance of an FBS team winning successive overtime games since 2008.

BAIN DOMINATING IN FRESHMAN SEASON

• One of the biggest reasons for Miami’s strong start to 2023 has been the dominance of freshman DL Rueben Bain, Jr., who was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week for the second straight week on Oct. 30.

• Bain leads Miami in sacks (6.5) and ranks second on the team in tackles for loss (7.5)

• Bain was named ACC DL of the Week and ACC Rookie of the Week on Oct. 23. He was named a Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year semifinalist on Oct. 31.

• The freshman standout, who was a top-ranked recruit, has an older brother on staff who serves as a graduate assistant (Reggie).

HURRICANES TRAVEL TO TOBACCO ROAD, FACE WOLFPACK IN RALEIGH

• RV/RV Miami continues its second season under the direction of head coach Mario Cristobal on Sat., Nov. 4 with its fifth of eight straight ACC games to close 2023 – this one at NC State at 8 p.m.

• Coming off an OT win over Virginia last timeout, the Hurricanes are looking for their fifth straight win over the Wolfpack when they meet Saturday. UM hasn’t lost to NC State since a 2008 game in Raleigh.

• Miami leads the all-time series against NC State, 11-5-1, including a 4-1 lead in games played in Raleigh. The Hurricanes won the last four (2012, 2016, 2020, 2021) and have won eight of the last 10 since 1981.

• Three of the last four wins by Miami have been decided by seven points or fewer; the Hurricanes won 31-30 in 2021, 44-41 in 2020 and 44-37 in 2012. The first-ever matchup between the two was in 1939.

• Joining Cristobal on the sidelines in 2023 are seven new faces in full-time assistant coach roles, including both coordinators – offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson from the University of Houston and defensive coordinator Lance Guidry from Marshall – who are both in their first seasons at The U.

• Miami’s game vs. the Wolfpack is also slated for broadcast on 560 WQAM and americaradio 1260 AM.

MIAMI ONE OF ONLY SEVEN IN FBS WITH TOP-25 OFFENSE AND DEFENSE

• The Hurricanes are currently one of only seven groups in all of FBS – and one of only five in Power-5 – to feature units that rank in the top 25 in both “total offense” and “total defense” through Week 8.

• Miami currently ranks No. 19 in the nation in total offense (456.1 yards per game ) and No. 24 in the nation in total defense (321.5). Louisville is the only other ACC team to manage top-25 marks in both.

MIAMI RANKS AMONG ACC LEADERS IN SCORING OFFENSE + DEFENSE

• The Hurricanes are ranked No. 3 in the Atlantic Coast Conference in scoring offense, averaging 35.38 points per game. On defense, the Hurricanes are fourth in the ACC, allowing only 20.0 points per game.

UM RANKS AMONG MOST IMPROVED OFFENSES IN 2023 UNDER DAWSON

• Shannon Dawson, who was named offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach at Miami in February 2023, spent the past four seasons at the University of Houston (2019-2022) before joining The U.

• He has already made his impact felt, with Miami ranking No. 15 in all of FBS at an average of 6.4 yards per play. The Hurricanes ranked No. 104 in FBS last season in yards per play, averaging just 5.3.

• Miami rushed for 211 yards in a 2OT win over Clemson on Oct. 21, marking only the 30th time a Dabo Swinney-led Tigers defense had surrendered 200 or more rushing yards in more than 200 games.

• Among other categories where Dawson’s work has been clear: Miami ranks No. 9 in FBS and No. 1 in the ACC in completion percentage (70.6), No. 20 in FBS and No. 3 in ACC in scoring offense (35.4) and No. 19 in FBS and No. 3 in ACC in total offense (456.1). Under Dawson’s direction, Miami is one of only 23 FBS teams averaging more than 450 yards – 89 yards better than last year’s average (367.1).

• In Dawson’s three seasons as quarterbacks coach with the Cougars (2020-22), Houston quarterbacks combined to throw 87 touchdown passes (13th nationally) behind a 65.3 completion percentage (19th) and 10,008 passing yards (21st). Dawson tutored signal caller Clayton Tune to a record-setting career. In 2022, Tune set the American Athletic Conference single-season TD passes record (40).

• Dawson’s Cougars ranked eighth nationally in passing offense (314.0) in 2022, while Houston wide receiver Nathaniel Dell led the nation in receiving touchdowns (17) and receiving yards (1,398).

• Other impressive numbers: Houston ranked 15th nationally in scoring offense (35.6), 22nd in first downs offense (314), 23rd in passing offense (271.6) and 25th in red zone offense (.891) in 2022.

• Dawson linked up with former Kentucky coach Hal Mumme, considered a godfather of air raid, in 2003-04 to help revive a program at Southeastern Louisiana that had been dormant for 17 years.

BAIN SHINING AS TRUE FRESHMAN, EARNS ACC DL OF THE WEEK AGAIN

• One of Miami’s most impressive breakout players of the season has been true freshman DL Rueben Bain, Jr. Bain was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week and Rookie of the Week on Oct. 23 after a dominant game vs. Clemson. He repeated as ACC DL of the Week honoree on Oct. 30.

• In a 2OT win over Clemson, Bain had the best performance of his young career – eight tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble. Bain was also named 247Sports True Freshman of the Week and hauled in Shaun Alexander Award Freshman of the Week recognition for his dominant game vs. Clemson.

• He outdid himself against Virginia, finishing with 2.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and seven tackles.

• Bain was named a semifinalist for the Alexander Freshman of the Year Award on Tues., Oct. 31.

• Bain has started the last six games on the defensive line and currently leads the Hurricanes with 6.5 sacks. According to PFF, Bain has more credited quarterback pressures than most of the players considered to be the top defensive line prospects in college football ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft.

GUIDRY’S ‘D’ IMPRESSING, HELD SIX OF FIRST SEVEN < 100 RUSH YARDS

• Lance Guidry, who was named defensive coordinator at Miami in February 2023, spent the previous two seasons as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at Marshall University in 2021 and 2022.

• Guidry has already made his impact felt in a short amount of time in Coral Gables. Among ACC teams, Miami ranks No. 4 in scoring defense (20.0 points per game), No. 5 in total defense (321.5 yards per game) and No. 1 in rushing defense (86.9 yards per game). Among FBS teams nationwide, the Hurricanes also rank No. 8 in rushing defense, No. 27 in scoring defense and No. 24 in total defense.

• The Canes are one of just 24 teams in all of FBS allowing fewer than 325 yards per game in 2023.

• Miami had held its opponents under 100 rushing yards its first five games of the season – a streak that ended at North Carolina Oct. 14. It was the Hurricanes’ longest such streak to begin a year since 2006.

• The Hurricanes were one of only three Power-5 teams to have held opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards in six of their first seven games of 2023. The other two were Nebraska and Penn State.

“FOURTH QUARTER PROGRAM” EFFECT: UM AMONG TOP IN 4Q SCORING

• When Mario Cristobal arrived to Miami in 2021, one of his first hires was strength & conditioning coordinator Aaron Feld. The duo’s “fourth quarter” spring workout program has become a staple.

• In games involving only FBS teams across the country, the Hurricanes rank No. 13 in the nation in fourth quarter scoring at 10.6 points per game in 2023. Through its first two games in wins over the Aggies and the RedHawks, Miami outscored its opponents by a 31-7 margin in the final frame.

JOE MOORE RECOGNIZED OL ONE OF 16 TO HAVE STARTED SAME FIVE

• One of the most important components to Miami’s start has been the impressive play of its offensive line. The Hurricanes have started LT Jalen Rivers, LG Javion Cohen, C Matt Lee, RG Anez Cooper and RT Francis Mauigoa for all eight of its games, and the group has been pivotal to UM’s success so far.

• The group was recognized for its outstanding play when it was selected to the midseason honor roll for the Joe Moore Award, which annually honors the top-performing offensive unit in college football.

• Entering Week 9, the Hurricanes were one of only 16 FBS groups to have started the same five players.

• Miami’s entire interior line (Cohen, Lee, Cooper) was named to the PFF Team of the Week on Oct. 30.

• In a win vs. Clemson, the group had perhaps its best performance yet. With a freshman QB making his first start, the group did not allow a sack and helped 211 rushing yards against an elite defense.

• Cooper was named ACC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week as well as Outland Trophy National Player of the Week after a dominant game vs. Texas A&M, where he graded out as Miami’s top lineman.

• Lee was named a candidate for the Rimington Trophy, honoring the top center, after a standout career at UCF. Cohen transferred from Alabama and was was named an Outland Trophy candidate.

RESTREPO ENJOYING BREAKOUT SEASON AS GO-TO WR IN OFFENSE

• While Miami’s offense has impressed under OC Shannon Dawson, WR Xavier Restrepo has emerged as one of the nation’s top wide receivers this season. He leads the Hurricanes with 57 receptions – including a career-high 12 catches in a start against Georgia Tech and 11 more vs. North Carolina. Restrepo ranks No. 8 in FBS in receptions per game (7.1) and No. 8 in FBS in total receptions (57).

• In UM’s game with Georgia Tech, Restrepo (123 yards) recorded his third game of the season with at least 120 receiving yards. He became the only Hurricane over the past 25 years to record three such games within the first five games of a season – he also managed to do so vs. Texas A&M and Temple.

• It was the first game to feature 10 catches since Mike Harley had 13 vs. Duke on Nov. 27, 2021. Restrepo is only the third Cane in the last five years to have 10 in a game, joining Harley and Charleston Rambo.

• Restrepo, who also paces the Hurricanes in receiving yards with 648, struggled through an injury marred 2022 where he caught only 21 passes for 240 yards total, seeing action in just seven games.

• Restrepo and former roommate Tyler Van Dyke have a special connection; Restrepo learned how to play golf based on TVD’s love for the sport, and the duo is ultra competitive in everything they do.

• The fourth-year junior surpassed the 1,000 career yard mark at Miami vs. Georgia Tech- he has 103 career catches for 1,273 yards with eight career touchdowns. He has started all eight games so far.

BACK-TO-BACK OVERTIME WINS A RARITY IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL, AT UM

• Miami won back-to-back games in overtime the last two weeks, emerging victorious over Clemson in two overtimes on Oct. 21 and beating Virginia in OT on Oct. 28. It marked the first time in the history of Miami where the Hurricanes played two overtime games in the same season – let alone back-to-back.

• UM became the first team since Georgia Southern in 2019 to win overtime games in back-to-back outings. UM was the first Power-5 team to do it since Northwestern won three such games in 2017.

BORREGALES LOOKING TO CARRY ON FAMILY’S GROZA LEGACY AT UM

• Junior K Andy Borregales has delivered another dominant season for the Hurricanes in 2023. Ranked as a preseason candidate for the Lou Groza Award, Borregales has tallied 49 career field goals on 57 attempts (86.0%), which ranks him as the second-most accurate among those with 50 attempts, trailing only Jonah Dalmas of Boise State, who has converted 66 of 76 career attempts (86.8%).

• Last time out, Borregales was named ACC Specialist of the Week for a dominant game vs. Virginia. Borregales hit on three field goals of at least 45 yards – connecting from 47, 50 and 48 – and went 6-for- 6 on touchbacks. He is the only kicker in 2023 with a game to have three field goals of at least 45 yards.

• Borregales, whose older brother Jose is the lone Lou Groza Award winner in Miami history (2020), is 15-for-16 on field goals this year. His lone miss was on a 54-yard attempt vs. Texas A&M on Sept. 9.

• Borregales is one of 22 kickers in FBS with a 90%-or-better success rate this year – he is ninth in FBS (93.8) in the category.  

GEORGE ENJOYING IMPRESSIVE SEASON AS STARTER AT WIDE RECEIVER

• Entering Miami’s Sept. 9 matchup with Texas A&M, Jacolby George had just one career touchdown catch. He had three alone vs. the Aggies, becoming the first Cane to have three touchdown catches in the same game since former WR Leonard Hankerson did so against at Clemson on Oct. 2, 2010.

• George had a career-best 125 yards in Miami’s loss at North Carolina, totaling six catches and one TD.

• George is one of eight players in the ACC to have at least five touchdowns catches entering Week 10.

• George put together only the third game of three receiving touchdowns by an ACC player this year.

• For his efforts, the third-year player was named ACC Offensive Receiver of the Week on Sept. 11. He had just 13 catches in all of 2022 and already has 29 – second-most on the team – through six games.

ACC DB OF THE WEEK KINCHENS, WILLIAMS COMBINE AS TALENTED PAIR

• Two of Miami’s closest teammates on and off the field are two of its best players in safety pairing Kam Kinchens and James Williams. The two third-year players make up a highly talented duo.

• Williams delivered a dominant outing last time out, totaling a team-high and career-high 13 tackles in Miami’s overtime win over Virginia. He leads the Hurricanes with 46 total tackles this season.

• Kinchens was similarly dominant against the Cavaliers; the standout was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week after recording the second pick-six of his career. Kinchens returned the pick 29 yards for a TD.

• Kinchens, an All-American a season ago, was named to the All-ACC First Team in 2022 after having 59 total tackles and a team-high six interceptions. He is a member of UM’s leadership council.

• Kinchens average interceptions-per-game mark (0.30) is the fourth-best career mark in all of FBS.

• The Miami native is one of only 11 players in all of FBS to have recorded 9 career interceptions.

• Another impactful player in his own right, the 6-foot-5 Williams made 10 starts and ranked second on the team with 58 tackles a season ago. Both players are South Florida natives and best friends. He is one of only 16 kickers in the country with at least 15 made field goals.

UM ONE OF JUST FOUR TEAMS WITH TRIO OF 30+ CATCHES, 400+ YARDS

• WR Xavier Restrepo (57 catches, 648 yards), WR Jacolby George (36 catches, 495 yards) and WR Colbie Young (32 catches, 429 yards) account for 1,461 yards – 72.1% of the Hurricanes’ total (2,016).

“HURRICANE” BAIN PART OF ELITE GROUP WITH MULTIPLE SACKS VS. P5

• DL Rueben Bain, Jr. has recorded back-to-back games of multiple sacks against Clemson (Oct. 21) and Virginia (Oct. 28), helping lead the Hurricanes to back-to-back overtime wins. Bain is one of just eight players in the nation to have multiple individual performances of at least two sacks in a game this year.

• Bain, a semifinalist for the Shaun Ander Freshman of the Year, is the only freshman on the list.

TVD LOOKING TO REBOUND AT NCST

• QB Tyler Van Dyke is enjoying a return to form in 2023 after putting together an ACC Rookie of the Year campaign at Miami in 2021. Van Dyke’s 2022 season was marred by injury, forcing him to miss significant action during the second half of the year. He missed Miami’s last game vs. Clemson Oct. 21.

• Van Dyke struggled last time out against Virginia, throwing for a season-low 163 yards with two picks.

• Van Dyke has already surpassed last season’s touchdown pass total despite playing in just seven games.

• Van Dyke ranks No. 1 in ACC (No. 12 in FBS) in completion percentage (70.0), No. 1 in ACC (No. 17 in FBS) in passing efficiency (161.5) as well as No. 3 in ACC (No. 23 in FBS) in passing touchdowns (16).

• In Miami’s win against Bethune-Cookman, Van Dyke became the first Hurricane to record multiple pass touchdowns, a rush touchdown and complete 80 percent of his passes in a single game. over the past 25 seasons. He finished 19-for-23 for 247 yards with two touchdowns and no picks.

• Van Dyke entered Week 4 ranked 10th on UM’s career completions list with 419. He’s now No. 5 with 511, having passed Craig Erickson (420), Ryan Clement (427), Bernie Kosar (463) and Kyle Wright (478).

• Van Dyke’s five touchdown passes vs. Texas A&M marked a new career high. The performance was TVD’s eighth career start with multiple TDs and zero picks. He had his ninth such start vs. Bethune.

• Van Dyke became the third Miami Hurricane to win ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2021, joining QB Brad Kaaya (2014) and RB Duke Johnson (2012) to do so.

• Van Dyke has throw multiple interceptions in a game just five times in his 24 career starts at The U.

• Van Dyke took over starting duties three games into the season in 2021 and ended the year with 2,931 yards, 25 passing touchdowns and just six interceptions. He completed 62.% of passes.

BRASHARD ONE OF NATION’S MOST DANGEROUS, MIAMI #2 IN KOR IN 2023

• Though he has only had 12 returns in his six games, WR Brashard Smith has made them count, ranking first in the nation in kickoff return average averaging 32.9 yards per return so far this year.

• Smith’s 98-yard kickoff return TD vs. Texas A&M was his first kickoff return for a touchdown of his career

• Smith had an 80-yard run that resulted in a touchdown in Miami’s 2OT win over Clemson on Oct. 21.