Game Day Notes: Miami Hurricanes at North Carolina

#25/RV MIAMI HURRICANES (4-1, 0-1 ACC)

HEAD COACH: Mario Cristobal (Miami, 1993) | CAREER: 71-68 (12th season) | AT MIAMI: 9-8 (second)

AT

#12/12 NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS (5-0, 2-0 ACC)

HEAD COACH: Mack Brown (Florida State, 1974) | CAREER: 279-144-1 (35th season) | AT NORTH CAROLINA: 104-68-1 (15th season)

Saturday, October 14, 2023 7:30 PM ET | ABC

Chapel Hill, N.C. Kenan Stadium (50,500)

THE GAME

• The Miami Hurricanes continue their second season under the direction of head coach Mario Cristobal on Sat., October 14 at North Carolina at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. Kickoff for the Hurricanes’ first ACC road contest of the season, slated for broadcast on ABC, is set for 7:30 p.m.

• The game will be broadcast on ABC with Sean McDonough (pxp), Greg McElroy (color) & Molly McGrath (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 will also broadcast from Chapel Hill. THE SERIES

• Miami trails in the all-time series with the Tar Heels, 15-11. North Carolina has won four straight over the Hurricanes dating to the 2019 season.

• UM’s last win on the road at North Carolina came in 2017, when eighth-ranked Miami captured a 24-19 win in the midst of a 10-0 star to the season.

• UNC leads the all-time series in Chapel Hill, 7-3. The series is tied, 8-8, in games played in Miami; the two teams have met every year since 2004.

THE HURRICANES

• The #25/RV Hurricanes continue Year 2 of the Mario Cristobal era on Oct. 14 when they travel to #12/#12 North Carolina for their ACC road opener.

• Coming off a 23-20 loss to Georgia Tech, the Hurricanes remained ranked in the Associated Press top 25 on Sunday, checking in at No. 25. Sunday’s AP rankings marked the fifth straight set to include UM, which cracked the polls Sept. 10 at No. 22. Miami is also receiving votes in the coaches poll.

• Last time out, the Hurricanes fell late to Georgia Tech, 23-20. The Yellow Jackets forced a turnover in the fourth quarter to jumpstart the winning drive.

• 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.

• The Canes feature a 2023 transfer portal class that ranked among the best in FBS; it includes starters OL Javion Cohen (Alabama), Matt Lee (UCF) and LB Francisco Mauigoa (Washington State), DB Jaden Davis (Oklahoma) & others like DB Davonte Brown (UCF) and RB Ajay Allen (Nebraska).

MIAMI TRAVELS FOR GAME AT #12 HEELS

• Following a 23-20 loss to Georgia Tech, #25/RV Miami continues its second season under Mario Cristobal on Oct. 14 with its ACC road opener at North Carolina.

• Miami is looking to snap a four-game losing streak to the Tar Heels that dates to 2019. The Hurricanes’ last win in Chapel Hill came in 2017, when No. 8 Miami won, 24-19.

• Miami is looking for its second top-25 win of the year, following a 48-33 win on Sept. 9 vs. then-No. 23/23 Texas A&M. The win was Cristobal’s eighth vs. the Top-25 since 2018 and was UM’s first against a T-25 team since a 2021 38-34 road win at #17/#19 Pitt.

WIDE RECEIVER TRIO EMERGING IN 2023

• The Hurricanes’ offense has impressed under OC Shannon Dawson’s direction, and a trio of wide receivers have emerged as go-to targets for QB Tyler Van Dyke.

• WR Xavier Restrepo (36 catches, 478 yards), WR Jacolby George (23 catches, 337 yards) and WR Colbie Young (21 catches, 298 yards) account for 1,113 receiving yards this year – 75.5% of Miami’s total (1,474).

• Restrepo ranks No. 2 in the ACC in receptions (36), No. 2 in receiving yards per game (95.60) and had a career-high 12 catches for 123 yards last time out vs. GT.

‘D’ IMPRESSING UNDER GUIDRY’S GUIDANCE

• In his first year at The U, DC Lance Guidry has helped the Hurricanes put together an impressive five-game stretch to open 2023.

• The Hurricanes ranks No. 1 in FBS in rushing defense (58.2 yards allowed per game), No. 12 in the nation in scoring defense (14.6 points per game) and No. 9 in the nation in total defense (268.4 yards per game).

• The Hurricanes have allowed only 69 first downs on defense this year – the fifth-fewest in FBS and the fewest in the ACC – and also rank as the top-performing team on fourth down conversion percentage on defense in all of the country (12.5%, tied with Florida for #1).

#25/RV MIAMI OPENS ACC ROAD SLATE AT #12/#12 NORTH CAROLINA

• #25/RV Miami continues its second season under the direction of head coach Mario Cristobal on Sat., Oct. 14 with its ACC road opener at North Carolina at Kenan Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.

• The Hurricanes are looking for their first win at North Carolina since a 24-19 victory in 2017, when Miami started 10-0, won the ACC Coastal Division and played in the Capital One Orange Bowl.

• North Carolina leads the all-time series, 15-11, including a 7-3 mark all-time in games in Chapel Hill.

• 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.

• North Carolina and Miami have met each year since 2004, when the Hurricanes joined the ACC.

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

A LOOK BACK: GEORGIA TECH TOPPLES CANES ON LAST MINUTE DRIVE

• Georgia Tech staged a fourth-quarter comeback to top Miami, 23-20, in the Hurricanes’ ACC opener.

• QB Tyler Van Dyke threw for 288 yards on 24-for-36 passing but tossed three interceptions in the loss. RB Don Chaney, Jr. had the first 100-yard game of his career (106 yards, 24 carries), while WR Xavier Restrepo posted a career-best 12 catches totaling 123 yards. WR Colbie Young had 56 yards.

• Miami’s defense impressed for most of the night, holding Georgia Tech to 99 yards rushing and 250 yards total in the loss. The Jackets averaged just 3.7 yards per rush and threw two interceptions.

• LB Francisco Mauigoa delivered a strong performance, totaling four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one interception and one forced fumble. DB James Williams also returned an interception 44 yards.

NEW FACES ABOUND IN 2023, BOTH ON THE FIELD AND ON SIDELINES

• Among the many storylines of the offseason was the revamping of the Hurricanes roster entering Year 2 under Mario Cristobal – both on the sideline with assistant coaches and on the field with players.

• Cristobal’s first full recruiting class was the best-ranked class in program history according to the 247Sports Composite; UM’s class was the top-rated group in both the ACC and in the state of Florida.

• The Hurricanes also brought in several transfers who started UM’s first four games; OL Javion Cohen (Alabama), OL Matt Lee (UCF) and LB Francisco Mauigoa (Wazzu) are included in the group.

• In total, the Hurricanes have 40 scholarship players who were not on the team in 2022, including a recruiting class featuring 24 true freshman, headlined by five-star offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa.

• The Hurricanes new look coaching staff includes seven faces who were not on the full-time staff as assistants a season ago; offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, defensive coordinator Lance Guidry, wide receivers coach Kevin Beard, running backs coach Tim Harris, Jr., defensive line coach Jason Taylor, linebackers coach Derek Nicholson and tight ends coach Cody Woodiel. Taylor and Woodiel spent the 2022 season as analysts on the Hurricanes staff, while both Beard and Harris are UM alumni.

DAWSON HAS CANES RANKED AMONG MOST IMPROVED FBS OFFENSES

• 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. 6 in all of FBS at an average of 7.55 yards per play. The Hurricanes ranked No. 104 in FBS last season in yards per play, averaging just 5.3.

• Miami’s jump in yards per play (+2.22) is the highest of any Power-5 team and fifth-highest in FBS.

• Among other categories where Dawson’s work has been clear: Miami ranks No. 7 in FBS and No. 1 in the ACC in completion percentage (73.3), No. 22 in FBS and No. 2 in ACC in passing offense (294.8), No. 13 in FBS and No. 2 in ACC in scoring offense (39.0) + No. 7 in FBS and No. 1 in ACC in total offense (505.8). Under Dawson’s direction, UM is one of only nine FBS teams averaging more than 500 yards.

• 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. 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.

GUIDRY’S DEFENSE IMPRESSING, HAS HELD EVERY TEAM <100 RUSH YDS

• 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. 2 in scoring defense (14.6 points per game), No. 2 in total defense (268.4 yards per game) and No. 1 in rushing defense (58.2 yards per game). Among FBS teams nationwide, the Hurricanes also rank No. 1 in rushing defense, No. 12 in scoring defense and No. 9 in total defense.

• The Hurricanes have held their opponents under 100 rushing yards in all five games this season, tied for the most by any FBS program and with only three counterparts: JMU, Kentucky & Nebraska. The stretch marks the longest such streak to begin a season for Miami since 2006 (10-game streak).

• In Guidry’s final year there, Marshall’s defense ranked in the top five nationally in FBS in several key statistics, including third down defense (first), stop rate (second), pass efficiency defense (third), defensive efficiency (third), yards per play (third), turnovers gained (fifth) and rushing defense (fifth).

• In a dominant 2022 campaign under his watch at Marshall, the Herd also finished the season ranked sixth in scoring defense (16.0) and passes intercepted (18), eighth in total defense (294.5) and ninth in first down defense (200). Guidry’s first game as an assistant coach in college was as defensive backs coach at his alma mater, McNeese State, vs. the Miami Hurricanes in 2000 at the Orange Bowl.

FOURTH QUARTER PROGRAM PAYING OFF; MIAMI #9 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. 9 in the nation in fourth quarter scoring at 11.0 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.

RESTREPO BREAKING OUT, PART OF KEY TRIO WITH YOUNG & GEORGE

• 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 36 receptions – including a career-high 12 catches last time out in a start against Georgia Tech, when he had 123 yards.

• Last week against Georgia Tech, Restrepo (123 yards) recorded his third game of the season with at least 120 receiving yards, most by any ACC player. He is the only Hurricanes player over the past 25 years to record three such games within the first five games of a season (also vs. Texas A&M, Temple)

• Restrepo’s game vs. Georgia Tech was one of only five games by a Power-5 student-athlete to feature at least 12 catches and one of only two in the ACC (Nate McCollum of UNC who had 15 on Sept. 16).

• 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, WR Jacolby George and WR Colbie Young comprise one of 11 trios in all of FBS where a team’s top three pass-catchers have totaled more than 75% of receiving yards entering Week 7.

• Restrepo, who also paces the Hurricanes in receiving yards with 478, 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 last time out – he has 82 career catches for 1,103 yards with six career touchdowns. He has started all five games so far this season.

GEORGE ONE OF ONLY SEVEN IN ACC WITH FOUR RECEIVING TDs IN 2023

• 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 is one of seven players in the ACC to have at least four touchdowns catches entering Week 7.

• George put together only the 19th game of three receiving touchdowns by an FBS 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 21 – three shy of the team lead – through four games.

BRASHARD ONE OF NATION’S MOST DANGEROUS, LEADS FBS IN KOR

• Though he has only had seven returns in his five games, WR Brashard Smith has made them count, ranking first in the nation in kickoff return average averaging 38.3 yards per return so far this year.

• Smith’s 98-yard kickoff return touchdown vs. Texas A&M was tied for the sixth-longest return in 2023.

BORREGALES RANKS AMONG FBS’ MOST PROLIFIC ACTIVE FG KICKERS

• 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 43 career field goals on 51 attempts (84.3%), which ranks him as the fifth-most accurate kicker among those with 50 attempts.

• Borregales, whose older brother Jose is the lone Lou Groza Award winner in Miami history (2020), is 9-for-10 on field goals this year. His lone miss was on a 54-yard attempt vs. Texas A&M on Sept. 9.

TVD IS PFF #2-GRADED QB ENTERING UNC, WILL DUEL DRAKE MAYE

• 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 while battling a right shoulder injury.

• TVD is Pro Football Focus’ second-best position grade behind only Michael Penix, Jr. of Washington entering Week 7 vs. North Carolina, despite throwing three interceptions in UM’s loss to the Jackets.

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

• Van Dyke ranks No. 1 in ACC (No. 12 in FBS) in completion percentage (72.6), No. 1 in ACC (No. 6 in FBS) in passing efficiency (178.8) as well as No. 2 in ACC (No. 17 in FBS) in passing touchdowns (11).

• 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. 8, having passed Craig Erickson (420) and Ryan Clement (427). Next up is No. 7 Bernie Kosar (463).

• 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 four times in his 23 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.

CANES HADN’T STARTED WITH THREE IN A ROW AT HOME SINCE 2013

• The Hurricanes had not started the season with a 3-0 mark at home since 2013. Coincidentally, during that early stretch, they also played a ranked SEC team (No. 12 Florida) and won in Week 2.

KINCHENS RANKS HIGH IN CAREER INTERCEPTIONS, RETURNS VS. GT

• Following a breakout All-American season a year ago where he finished with six interceptions, Kam Kinchens added to that total Saturday with his seventh career interception vs. Texas A&M.

• Kinchens average interceptions-per-game mark (0.27) is among the top 10 best marks in FBS..

• A team captain, Kinchens left the Texas A&M game on a stretcher in a scary late moment scene. He underwent evaluation but was discharged the next day and rejoined the team on Sunday, Sept. 10.

• Kinchens will rejoin the team on Saturday against Georgia Tech, it was announced this week.

REHAULED OFFENSIVE LINE EMERGING AS FORCE IN EARLY SEASON

• One of the most important components to Miami’s 4-0 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 four of its games and is off to its first 4-0 start since 2020.

• 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 nation’s top center, after a standout career at UCF. Cohen was named a candidate for the Outland Trophy after transferring to Miami from Alabama. Cooper and Rivers both started for Miami in 2022, while Mauigoa is a freshman.

BROTHERLY LOVE IN CORAL GABLES, SEVERAL WITH UM FAMILY TIES

• The Miami Hurricanes will feature a number of family ties on the sideline this fall across the roster.

• Newcomer OL Francis Mauigoa and older brother LB Francisco Mauigoa will feature prominently for Miami this season. Another set of newcomers have lined up on the same side of the ball, in freshman DB Damari Brown and junior DB Davonte Brown. The elder Mauigoa arrived from Washington State via the transfer portal, as did the elder Brown, who came to Miami from UCF. Both arrived in January.

• Two sets of twins populate the freshmen ranks, as well; Miami natives WR Robby Washington and LB Bobby Washington, Jr., as well as QB Riply Luna and WR Kolby Luna, who are from Idaho.

• The older brother of freshman DL Rueben Bain, Jr., one of the top-ranked freshman defensive lineman, is offensive graduate assistant Reggie Bain. In addition, the nephew of head coach Mario Cristobal – Luis Cristobal, Jr. – transferred to Miami from Georgia State prior to the season.

HOME SWEET HOME OPENERS: UM CONTINUES RUN OF SUCCESS AT HRS

• The Miami Hurricanes opened their 16th season at world-class Hard Rock Stadium on Sept. 1 vs. Miami- Ohio with a 38-3 win; UM holds a 16-0 all-time mark in home openers at the stadium, having outscored opponents 727-122 for an average margin of victory of 37.8 points in those 16 games.

• The Hurricanes have not lost a home opener since 2006, when they fell to Florida State 13-10 at the Orange Bowl on Sept. 4, 2006. Miami has won 17 straight home openers since – each one since 2007.

• Since joining the ACC prior to the 2004 season, Miami has played a conference opponent in only three of its 20 home openers: Florida State twice (in 2004 and 2006) and Georgia Tech once (2009).

KINCHENS, WILLIAMS MAKE UP ONE OF TOP SAFETY PAIRINGS IN FBS

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

GAME FOUR: UM MOVES TO 4-0 WITH DOMINANT ‘W’ IN ROAD OPENER

• Miami took care of business in its first road trip of the season, enjoying a 41-7 win over host Temple at Lincoln Financial Field. The Hurricanes rushed for 323 yards and totaled 543 yards in the victory.

• RB Henry Parrish, Jr., led the Hurricanes with a career-high 139 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first Miami running back to total that many yards and multiple scores in a road game since Duke Johnson did so at Duke in 2012 (176). Don Chaney added 61 rushing yards and Mark Fletcher had 51.

• QB Tyler Van Dyke threw for 220 yards on 17-of-24 passing with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. The performance marked Van Dyke’s seventh game of three touchdowns and no picks.

• Defensively, Miami held TU to just 11 yards rushing and added two interceptions by DB Te’Cory Couch.

• Lincoln Financial Field marked Miami’s fifth NFL stadium in the last six years; in addition to their home venue (Hard Rock Stadium), UM has also played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta (vs. Alabama, 2021), Heinz Field in Pittsburgh (vs. Pitt, 2019 / 2021) and AT&T Stadium in Arlington (vs. LSU, 2018).

GAME THREE: HURRICANES POWER PAST WILDCATS ON SHORT REST

• The Hurricanes opened their season with three straight home games for the first time since 2013, and ensured a perfect September at home thanks to a 48-7 win over Bethune-Cookman on Sept. 14.

• Miami overpowered the Wildcats, recording 589 yards of offense. QB Tyler Van Dyke completed 82% of his passes (19-for-23) with 247 yards and two touchdowns, while Miami finished with 240 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns – including two scores from redshirt freshman transfer Ajay Allen.

• WR Xavier Restrepo was Van Dyke’s favorite target, finishing with an impressive 120 yards on six catches. WR Colbie Young had 55 yards and WR Jacolby George had 52 yards with one touchdown.

• Despite missing four defensive starters due to injury – including three on the defensive line – the Hurricanes finished with 10 tackles for loss and four sacks. DL Rueben Bain had his first college sack.

• Miami rested most of its starters in the second half with a 34-0 lead heading into the final two frames.

GAME TWO: MIAMI KNOCKS OFF #23 AGGIES, 48-33, FOR RANKED WIN

• Miami showed resiliency in its Game 2 victory, a 48-33 decision over a top-25 Texas A&M team that took two separate 10-point leads in the first half. A 27-point second half sealed the hosts’ win.

• The victory was Miami’s first over a team ranked in the top 25 since a 38-34 win over No. 17/19 Pitt in 2021, while head coach Mario Cristobal picked up his eighth win against top-25 teams since 2018.

• Four Hurricanes were honored by the ACC for standout performances last time out; Anez Cooper (Co- Offensive Lineman of the Week), Jaden Davis (Defensive Back), Jacolby George (offensive receiver) and Tyler Van Dyke (quarterback). Cooper was the top-graded offensive lineman, Davis had a key forced fumble and eight tackles, while three of Van Dyke’s five touchdown passes went to George.

• Van Dyke’s five touchdown passes marked a new career high. The performance was TVD’s eighth career start with multiple touchdown passes and no interceptions thrown. George became the first Hurricane receiver since Leonard Hankerson in 2010 to haul in three touchdown passes in one game.

GAME ONE: MIAMI TROUNCES REDHAWKS, 38-3, IN SEASON OPENER

• The Hurricanes delivered a strong season debut on Sept. 1, toppling the visiting RedHawks of Miami University, 38-3. Miami piled up 493 yards in a well-balanced offensive attack, and held MU to just 215.

• Behind a dominant offensive line, the Canes finished with 243 passing yards and 250 rushing yards.

• Miami was one of only 16 teams in FBS to rush for 250 yards or more in their 2023 season opener.

• The Hurricanes had four running backs with at least eight carries, with RB Henry Parrish, Jr., leading the way at 90 rushing yards and one score. RB Mark Fletcher added 76 yards and one TD in his debut.