A porous offensive line that allowed 10 Florida sacks and 14 penalties for 125 yards did the Miami Hurricanes in during a 24-20 loss to the Gators on Saturday night in Orlando at Camping World Stadium.
The Miami Hurricanes offense looked good at times during Saturday’s game. Fourteen penalties 125 yards and an offensive line that allowed 10 sacks for a total of 60 yards hindered the Miami offense too much during a 24-20 loss to Florida on Saturday night in Orlando at Camping World Stadium.
Jarren Williams looked good despite facing a constant barrage from the Florida defensive line. Williams finished 19-29 for 214 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions.
Miami was unable to take advantage of a plus-three turnover margin. Florida committed four turnovers to Miami’s one. The one turnover came on a muffed punt by Jeff Thomas. Bubba Baxa also missed a 25-yard field goal in the second half.
Despite the advantage in turnovers, Florida took more advantage of turnovers. Speaking on the post-game show, Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz lamented the Hurricanes inability to convert Florida turnovers to points. A lot of that was because of penalties following the turnovers.
Helluva effort tonight, @CanesFootball. pic.twitter.com/IwMZyGZmAJ
— Miami Hurricanes (@MiamiHurricanes) August 25, 2019
Special teams and the porous Miami offensive line were the biggest difference for Florida in victory. Williams was 12-14 for 158 yards and his lone TD to Brevin Jordan in the first half. Florida tightened up their defense and Williams was 7-15 for 56 yards in the second half. Willams will have his critics but he played well in his first collegiate start.
Miami had some positives on Saturday night in Central Florida. DeeJay Dallas showed he is ready to be the Hurricanes first-team running back. Dallas ran for 95 yards on 12 carries and added four receptions for 37 yards. Dallas scored Miami’s second TD with an electric 50 yard run in the wildcat.
Brevin Jordan caught five passes for 88 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown came late in the first half to give Miami a 13-7 lead at the intermission. The Hurricanes defense stopped Florida on the ground. The Gators ran for 52-yards on 27 carries. Florida running back Lamical Perine had been touted in previews of the game.
Perine ran 10 times for 42 yards and added 25 yards on four receptions. Florida QB Feleipe Franks had eight yards on seven carries. Franks run with 8:14 remaining in the fourth quarter was the game-winner. Big plays helped the Gators on two of their three scoring drives.
Franks hit Kadarius Toney on the right sideline for a 66-yard TD on the Gators first drive to give them a 7-3 lead. Bad tackling did the Hurricanes in. Toney broke three tackles on what should have been a moderate gain that turned into a TD.
Franks hit Josh Hammond for 65-yards on the first play from scrimmage for Florida after Baxa’s missed field goal. Three plays later Franks dove into the end zone to give the Gators the lead for good. There will be a lot of looking back at this game for Miami for what could have been.
Penalties, not scoring off turnovers and the lack of protection for Williams was critical. Miami is off next week before playing their first ACC game of the season at North Carolina September 7. The Hurricanes have a lot to work on.