What Did We Learn Offensively at Miami Hurricanes First Scrimmage?
The Miami Hurricanes held their first scrimmage of training camp at Hard Rock Stadium today. Head Coach Mark Richt said that Miami is closer to deciding on a starting quarterback. The scrimmage gave the majority of the roster a chance to prove they deserve a chance to play.
The quarterbacks were the big focus of the scrimmage. Malik Rosier and Evan Sheriffs continued to show they have a bigger grasp of the offense than Freshmen N’ Kosi Perry and Cade Weldon. Mark Richt discussed where the quarterback race would go forward from Saturday’s scrimmage.
Many other questions about the offense were at the forefront heading into the scrimmage. Throughout training camp, Mark Richt has been trying to find more depth at running back and tight end has worked with returnees and assimilating the newcomers throughout the roster.
Getting everyone playing time in a scrimmage can be difficult. Miami with running back Mark Walton, wide receiver Ahmmon Richards and tight end Chris Herndon IV have three play makers on offense. The wide receiver depth behind Richards is largely inexperienced but very talented.
Related Story: Experienced Miami Hurricanes QBs Assert Themselves At Scrimmage
The game almost featured a scare with Walton getting hurt. Miami student Jihad Shatara tweeted out about the injury.
Mark Walton went down during the scrimmage and had to be helped by several players to the bench. Not encouraging w/ lack of RB Depth
— Jihad Shatara 🇵🇸🇲🇽 (@JShataraTV) August 12, 2017
It appears that Walton will be ok. After the scrimmage Richt said:
"(Walton) “bruised his hip — praise the Lord on that one.”"
The Palm Beach Post’s Matt Porter said:
"“Walton was later spotted walking around without wraps, ice, a brace, the assistance of crutches and without a limp. The Hurricanes’ standout tailback appears fine.”"
Several Miami Hurricanes running backs got carries on Saturday.
- Walton-Seven carries, 39 yards, touchdown
- Sophomore Travis Homer 8-55, fumble
- Redshirt junior Trayone Gray 5-2
- Walk-on Crispian Atkins 5-17
Freshman Robert Burns continues to sit out with an injured shoulder. He has been wearing a green non-contact practice jersey throughout training camp.
Live Feed
Gig Em Gazette
Other than Richards the starting wide receiving slots are open. Several players recorded receptions on Saturday with a chance to separate themselves from the competition. Porter’s notes about the receivers and their stats are below.
- Braxton Berrios scrimmage-high seven catches for 92 yards
- Ahmmon Richards (3-91, touchdown) shined brightest
- Dionte Mullins 32-yard touchdown catch
- Mike Harley (56-yard touchdown catch) scored.
- Herndon (3-49, touchdown)
- Michael Irvin (2-20, fumble) were the tight ends.
Per Porter:
- Richt also chose to spotlight DeeJay Dallas (4-30) and
- “6-4, 220-pound redshirt junior Darrell Langham (2-20) who had a “couple nice snags” and played “big” in “real tight coverage.””
The offensive line returns three starters and brings in newcomers that could contribute. The first string was far better on Saturday. Per Porter Richt said the offensive line:
"“Was up and down.” The first-stringers “are by far ahead” of the second string."
Richt seemed pleased with the number one offense.
"“Threw a couple touchdowns in the red zone, third-and-medium periods…Hit some big plays, but you know, just not very consistent offensively…Little disappointed in that.”"
An old football adage is that the defense is ahead of the offense early in the season and training camp. Richt said:
"“In the scrimmage downs, when we were trying to move the ball, the No. 1 defense had the day. There was one play where the No. 2 offense had a big play running the ball, broke big, got it inside the 20 and then we got a missed assignment, then jumped offsides, then we get a sack. We kick a field goal and it hits the crossbar.”“The No. 1 offense had a field goal drive, two TD drives and had a TD drive in the red zone and a couple TDs in third-and-medium. Just not very consistent offensively. A little disappointed in that. Part of that is trying to play a lot of guys, trying to play four quarterbacks. Each of the quarterbacks had at least one rack with the No. 1s, each of the top 4 quarterbacks had at least one rack with the No. 2 unit.”"
Next: For Miami Hurricanes Football Legacies Are Important
The Miami Hurricanes second scrimmage will take place next Saturday on campus. Like today, the scrimmage will also be closed to the public. Richt expects the growth from today’s practice to show next week.