Game Day Notes: Miami Hurricanes at Temple

#20/21 MIAMI HURRICANES (3-0, 0-0 ACC)

HEAD COACH: Mario Cristobal (Miami, 1993) | CAREER: 70-67 (12th season) | AT MIAMI: 8-7 (second)

AT

TEMPLE OWLS (2-1, 0-0 AAC)

HEAD COACH: Stan Drayton (Allegheny College, 1993) | CAREER: 5-10 (second season) | AT TEMPLE: 5-10 (second)

Saturday, September 23, 2023

3:30 PM ET | ESPN2

Philadelphia, Pa.

Lincoln Financial Field (67,594)

THE GAME

• The Miami Hurricanes continue their second season under the direction of head coach Mario Cristobal on Saturday, Sept. 23 against Temple at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pa. Kickoff for the Hurricanes’ first road game of the season, slated for broadcast on ESPN2, is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.

• The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 with Lowell Galindo (pxp), Kirk Morrison (color) & Stormy Buonantony(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

• Miami leads the all-time series with the Owls, 13-1. Long-time BIG EAST foes, UM has not played TU since 2005 but met 13 of 14 years from 1992-2005.

• The Hurricanes’ last trip to Temple came in 2005, a 34-3 Miami victory. The Hurricanes carry a 5-1 all-time mark against the Owls in Philadelphia.

• Miami will be playing at Lincoln Financial Field for the first time ever Saturday; UM will have played in five different NFL stadiums in the last six years.

THE HURRICANES

• The Miami Hurricanes continue Year 2 of the Mario Cristobal era on Thursday when the Hurricanes travel to play Temple at Lincoln Financial Field.

• The Hurricanes were ranked in both of the major top-25 polls this week, checking in at No. 20 in the Associated Press rankings and No. 21 in the coaches’ poll. Sunday’s rankings marked the second straight set to include UM, which cracked the polls Sept. 10 at No. 22 in AP and No. 23 in coaches.

• Miami opened its season with a resounding 38-3 win over visiting Miami (Ohio) on Fri., Sept. 1. The Hurricanes outgained the RedHawks, 493-215.

• The Hurricanes followed that up with a 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 enters 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 OPENS ROAD SLATE IN PHILLY

• The Miami Hurricanes continue their second season under Mario Cristobal on Saturday, Sept. 23 against Temple in Philadelphia, Pa. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m.

• Following a win over Bethune-Cookman last time out on Sept. 14, Miami is looking for its first 4-0 start since 2017 when it travels to Lincoln Financial Field Saturday.

• The Hurricanes opened their regular season with three straight home games for the first time since 2013.

• Miami started 4-0 in 2017 – a year the Canes won the ACC Coastal Division and started 10-0 before playing in the Capital One Orange Bowl.

THREE WIDEOUTS SETTING THE TABLE

• Miami is one of only two teams in the nation with three players to boast at least 15 catches and at least 200 yards through the first three weeks of the season.

• WR Jacolby George, WR Xavier Restrepo and WR Colbie Young have emerged as QB Tyler Van Dyke’s favorite targets in the early going.

• Restrepo (17 catches, 314 yards), George (16 catches, 202 yards) and Young (15 catches, 209 yards) have totaled six touchdown catches and 725 yards.

• The only other team with three players to have 15 catches and 200 yards is Colorado.

CRISTOBAL PICKS UP EIGHTH WIN VS. T-25

• With a 48-33 decision on Sept. 9 vs. then-No. 23/23 Texas A&M, Mario Cristobal picked up his eighth win over a team ranked in the top 25 since 2018.

• Cristobal finished 7-6 against teams ranked in the top 25 during his tenure at Oregon (2018-2021), including a seismic win at No. 3 Ohio State, 35-28, to snap one of the nation’s longest home winning streaks in 2021.

• Including the 2021 decision in Columbus, Cristobal won both of his games against top-five ranked teams at Oregon, including a 37-14 win over No. 5 Utah in 2019.

• The win was UM’s first against a top-25 team since a 38-34 win over #17/#19 Pitt in 2021.

#20/#21 MIAMI ROAD TRIPS TO CITY OF BROTHERLY LOVE TO FACE OWLS

• #20/#21 Miami continues its second season under the direction of head coach Mario Cristobal on Sat., Sept. 23 with its first road trip of the year at Temple. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET from Philadephia.

• The Hurricanes are looking to open their season with a perfect 4-0 mark for the first time since 2017.

• Lincoln Financial Field marks 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)

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

• The Hurricanes are matching up with the Owls for the 15th time in history; Miami has an impressive 13-1 record in the previous 14 matchups. The two were previously BIG EAST foes from 1992-2003.

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

A LOOK BACK: MIAMI MOVES TO 3-0 WITH 48-7 WIN OVER WILDCATS

• 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.

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 three 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 freshmen, 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’S DYNAMIC MIAMI OFFENSE ALREADY RANKS AMONG TOPS

• 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. 4 in all of FBS at an average of 8.0 yards per play. The Hurricanes ranked No. 104 in FBS last season in yards per play, averaging just 4.8.

• Among other categories where Dawson’s work has been clear: Miami ranks No. 6 in FBS and No. 1 in the ACC in completion percentage (77.5), No. 13 in FBS and No. 1 in ACC in passing offense (322.0), No. 11 in FBS and No. 3 in ACC in scoring offense (44.7) and No. 15 in FBS and No. 4 in ACC in total offense.

• 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.

GEORGE RANKS AMONG ACC, FBS LEADERS IN RECEIVING SCORES

• 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 only 17 players in all of FBS with at least four touchdown receptions entering Week 4.

• George is tied with Keon Coleman (FSU) & Jamari Thrash (Louisville) for the ACC touchdown lead.

• George put together only the 11th 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 16 – one shy of the team lead – through three games.

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 15.5 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.

CANES HAVEN’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 FBS IN CAREER INTERECEPTION MARK

• 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 the fourth best in FBS. He is one of 18 FBS players to have at least seven career picks and one of just two to do so in 26 games or fewer.

• 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.

REHAULED OFFENSIVE LINE EMERGING AS FORCE IN EARLY SEASON

• One of the most important components to Miami’s 3-0 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 three of its games and is off to its first 3-0 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.

TYLER VAN DYKE ENJOYING RETURN TO FORM IN MIAMI’S 3-0 START

• 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 ranks No. 1 in ACC (No. 7 in FBS) in completion percentage (76.0), No. 1 in ACC (No. 7 in FBS) in passing efficiency (200.6) as well as No. 2 in ACC (No. 14 in FBS) in passing touchdowns (8).

• In last week’s game against Bethune-Cookman, Tyler 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 3 ranked 13th on UM’s career completions list with 400. He’s now 10th with 419, after passing No. 12 Brock Berlin (406), No. 11 Steve Walsh (410) & No. 10 Vinny Testaverde (413). Next up to pass: No. 9 Craig Erickson (420), No. 8 Ryan Clement (427) and 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 three times in his 21 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. ked offensive guard, Samson Okunlola, who has played throughout the first three games.

GUIDRY’S DEFENSE IMPRESSING THROUGH FIRST THREE WEEKS OF ’23

• 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. 3 in scoring defense (14.33 points per game), No. 3 in total defense (271.0 yards per game) and No. 1 in rushing defense (60.33 yards per game). Among FBS teams nationwide, the Hurricanes also rank No. 7 in rushing defense, No. 24 in scoring defense and No. 18 in total defense.

• In his 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), ninth in first down defense (200), 12th in defensive touchdowns (3), 16th in team sacks (2.92), 19th in red zone defense (76.7) and 22nd in both tackles for loss (6.9) and fumbles recovered (11).

• Guidry has said his first game as an assistant coach at the collegiate level was as defensive backs coach at his alma mater, McNeese State, against the Miami Hurricanes in 2000 at the Orange Bowl.

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 could line 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).

• In the modern era of Miami Hurricanes football (since 1979), UM has opened the season at home 19 times and is 17-2 in those games. The Hurricanes are 33-12 in regular season openers dating to 1979.

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.