The Miami Hurricanes game Saturday night against North Carolina will feature a pair of freshmen quarterbacks. The Hurricanes will start redshirt freshmen Jarren Williams while the Tar Heels go with true freshman Sam Howell.
The Miami Hurricanes were one of the finalists for Sam Howell. Howell ultimately chose North Carolina in what was clearly the right decision for him and worked out well for Miami Hurricanes first-team quarterback Jarren Williams. Both signal-callers performed well in their first starts against SEC East teams.
Jarren Williams was 19-29 for 214 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in Miami’s 24-20 season-opening loss to Florida to weeks ago. Howell led North Carolina back from 20-9 down at the beginning of the fourth quarter in a 24-20 victory. Howell was 15-24 for 245 yards and two TDs without an interception.
Howell did not panic when the Tar Heels began the fourth quarter down double digits. The freshman from Charlotte was exceptional in the final 15 minutes. Howell was 5-6 for 111 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to lead the Tar Heels back from the 11 point deficit. After one game, UNC is halfway to their 2018 win total.
Williams did everything he could to lead Miami to victory. Conversely to Howell, the Hurricanes redshirt freshman was at his best in the first half. Williams was 12-14 for 158 yards with a TD and no interceptions in the first half. Florida watched up the pass rush in the second half. Eight of Florida’s 10 sacks came after halftime.
It was only one game, but Jarren Williams was efficient and calm when kept free from pressure. pic.twitter.com/GFrcwsRNw1
— PFF College (@PFF_College) August 26, 2019
Miami head coach Manny Diaz was impressed by Howell’s performance in his first college game. Manny Navarro of The Athletic quoted Diaz discussing Howell. Miami fans will be happy with the knowledge that Howell wound up at North Carolina after initially being committed to Florida State.
"“His toughness, first and foremost, which we kind of knew…I thought he showed great toughness. And then his poise in the fourth quarter, just playing pitch and catch on some of those fades as if it was just routes on air, (he was) just not fazed by the moment of playing in a pro stadium against South Carolina.”"
Sam Howell posted a PERFECT passer rating on deep throws in Week 1! pic.twitter.com/sar57yfrA0
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 4, 2019
The Hurricanes secondary is going to have to be cognizant of the deep ball. Howell had a perfect 158.3 QB rating against South Carolina on ball throws. Howell averaged an incredible 18.5 yards per attempt and 22.2 yards per completion on deep throws in the fourth quarter. Dazz Newsome led UNC with four receptions for 74 yards.
Dyami Brown was right behind Newsome with four receptions for 69 yards and an incredible one-handed touchdown reception to help bring the Tar Heels back. North Carolina has a good ground game to complement Howell. The Tar Heels ran for 238 yards to balance Howell’s 245 passing in the win over South Carolina.