Game Day Notes: Miami Hurricanes vs. Bethune-Cookman

#22/#23 MIAMI HURRICANES (2-0, 0-0 ACC)

HEAD COACH: Mario Cristobal (Miami, 1993) | CAREER: 69-67 (12th season) | AT MIAMI: 7-7 (second)

VS.

BETHUNE-COOKMAN WILDCATS (1-1, 0-0 SWAC)

HEAD COACH: Raymond Woodie (Bethune-Cookman, 1996) | CAREER: 1-1 (first season) | AT BETHUNE-COOKMAN: 1-1 (first)

Thursday, September 14, 2023

7:30 PM ET | ACC Network

Miami Gardens, Fla.

Hard Rock Stadium (65,326)

THE GAME

• The Miami Hurricanes continue their second season under the direction of head coach Mario Cristobal on Thurs., Sept. 14 against Bethune-Cookman at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Kickoff for the Hurricanes’ third game of 2023, slated for broadcast on ACC Network, is 7:30 p.m. ET.

• The game will be broadcast on ACC Network with Jorge Sedano (pxp), Orlando Franklin (color) & Marilyn Payne (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 with the Wildcats, 6-0. All six meetings between the two teams have occurred in Miami Gardens and since 2011.

• Miami emerged victorious by a 70-13 margin in last year’s matchup with Bethune-Cookman – the first game for Miami under coach Mario Cristobal.

THE HURRICANES

• The Miami Hurricanes continue Year 2 of the Mario Cristobal era on Thursday when the Hurricanes host Bethune-Cookman at Hard Rock Stadium.

• The Hurricanes cracked both of the major top-25 polls this week, checking in at No. 22 in the Associated Press rankings and No. 23 in the coaches’ poll.

• 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) MIAMI PLAY THIRD STRAIGHT HOME GAME

• The Miami Hurricanes continue their second season under Mario Cristobal on Thursday, Sept. 14 against Bethune-Cookman Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. on ACC Network.

• Following a win over then-No. 23/23 Texas A&M last time out, Miami is looking for its first 3-0 start since 2020 when they take on Bethune-Cookman on Thursday.

• The Hurricanes are opening their regular season with three straight home games for the first time since 2013. Coincidentally, that early 2013 stretch also included Miami’s last win over an SEC team – a 21-16 decision over No. 12 Florida in Week 2 of the season & others like DB Davonte Brown (UCF) and RB Ajay Allen (Nebraska).

FOUR CANES EARN ACC POTW AWARDS

• Miami’s 48-33 win over No. 23/23 Texas A&M last time out featured a number of standout individual performances, resulting in four weekly honors for the Hurricanes

• OL Anez Cooper, DB Jaden Davis, WR Jacolby George and QB Tyler Van Dyke were all recognized for their dominant play in Miami’s first ranked win since 2021.

• Cooper helped anchor an impressive offensive line, Davis forced a fumble and had eight tackles, George had the first three-touchdown game by a Cane wide receiver since 2010 and Van Dyke threw for five touchdowns and no interceptions.

CRISTOBAL PICKS UP EIGHTH WIN VS. T-25

• With a 48-33 decision last time out 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.

#22/#23 MIAMI CONTINUE YEAR 2 UNDER CRISTOBAL WITH WILDCATS

• #22/#23 Miami continues its second season under the direction of head coach Mario Cristobal Thurs., Sept. 14 vs. Bethune-Cookman. Kickoff for the game is slated for 7:30 p.m. on ACC Network.

• Miami is looking to carry momentum after knocking off #23/#23 Texas A&M, 48-33, last time out.

• Cristobal was named the 26th head coach in the history of the program on December 6, 2021 after spending the previous four years at the helm of the Oregon Ducks. Cristobal is a two-time UM alum.

• 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 Wildcats for the seventh time in history; Miami has won all six previous matchups in the series, including a 70-13 win in Cristobal’s first game as UM head coach.

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

A LOOK BACK: MIAMI KNOCKS OFF #23/#23 A&M, 48-33, IN GAME TWO

• Miami showed resiliency in its most recent 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.

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 two 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’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. 15 in FBS and No. 1 in the ACC in completion percentage (74.5), No. 14 in FBS and No. 2 in ACC in passing yards per completion (15.05), tied for No. 1 in the nation in red zone scoring (1.000) and No. 7 in the nation and tops in the ACC in team passing efficiency. Miami struggled in many of those categories a year ago.

• 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 SURPASSES CAREER TOUCHDOWN OUTPUT IN ONE GAME

• Entering last game versus Texas A&M, Jacolby George had just one career touchdown catch. He had three alone versus the Aggies, becoming the first Hurricane to have three touchdown catches in the same game since former WR Leonard Hankerson did so against at Clemson on Oct. 2, 2010.

• George put together only the ninth 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 11 – tied for a team high – through just two 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.

• 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, Miami has 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 have 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.

A LOOK BACK: 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.

• QB Tyler Van Dyke finished with 201 passing yards and one touchdown, while WR Jacolby George had a career-best six catches for 56 yards. WR Colbie Young had 79 yards and a 44-yard touchdown.

• LB Francisco Mauigoa led Miami with five tackles, while DL Jahfari Harvey and LB Wesley Bissainthe each had a sack. The RedHawks averaged 2.0 yards per rush, totaling 51 rushing yards on 25 carries.

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 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.

TYLER VAN DYKE ENJOYING RETURN TO FORM THROUGH FIRST TWO

• 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.

• 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 touchdown passes and no interceptions thrown.

• 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).

• Van Dyke has throw multiple interceptions in a game just three times in his 20 career starts.

• 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.

• Thanks largely due to talent acquisition via the transfer portal and recruiting, Van Dyke will be the benefit of a new look offensive line that includes three starters who were not with the Hurricanes a season ago; left guard Javion Cohen (Alabama), center Matt Lee (UCF) and freshman right tackle Francis Mauigoa, who was the top-ranked offensive tackle in the high school class of 2023.Hurricanes are 33-12 in regular season openers dating to 1979.

REVAMPED OFFENSIVE LINE PLAYING A BIG FACTOR IN OFFENSIVE SUCCESS

• Three of the Miami Hurricanes’ starters on the offensive line were not on the roster a season ago, as Miami went to work to upgrade the trenches under the direction of offensive line coach Alex Mirabal in Year 2.

• According to the ESPN300 rankings, Miami added both the top-ranked offensive tackle (Francis Mauigoa) and the top-ranked offensive guard (Samson Okunlola) in 2023. Both were five-star high-school prospects.

• In addition to Mauigoa and Okunlola, the Hurricanes signed three other freshman offensive linemen – Tommy Kinsler IV, Frankie Tinilau and Antonio Tripp, Jr. The fivesome rank among the best freshman groups in FBS.

• In addition to Mauigoa, who could start at right tackle, Miami added two other players through the transfer portal that have already made their presence felt; Javion Cohen is a projected starter at left guard after a standout career at Alabama, while Matt Lee is the team’s projected starter at center after finishing at UCF.

• Lee was named to the watch list for the Rimington Trophy, honoring the nation’s best center, while Cohen was named Preseason All-ACC and a candidate for the Outland Trophy, which recognizes the nation’s top lineman.