Miami football team growing up led by QB Jarren Williams
Led by redshirt freshman quarterback Jarren Williams the Miami football team is growing up. Williams spoke about the team only meeting last week prior to the Hurricanes playing Florida State and the impact it had on him.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Jarren Williams has been exceptional for the Miami football team this season with exception of the first quarter against Virginia Tech. Playing with a bruised shoulder Williams threw three interceptions on the first three Miami drives in the first quarter against the Hokies.
Williams’ poor performance to begin the game for Miami put the Miami football team into a 21-0 hole that grew to 28-0 after N’Kosi Perry entered the game. Perry nearly engineered a historic comeback for the Hurricanes. Miami eventually lost 42-35 after tying the game at 35 in the fourth quarter.
Williams is 26th nationally in passer rating and 26th in completion percentage in his first season playing Division I football. The Georgia native is on pace to set the Miami program record in completion percentage that was set in 2011 by Jacory Harris. If Williams can stay healthy and plays all four years he will top Miami passing records.
The four Miami losses this season have been by a total of 21 points. All three phases of the game, offense, defense and special teams played a role. The Hurricanes have started producing more big plays which have taken a bit of a strain off the Hurricanes defense. Miami had four plays of 30 or more yards against Florida State.
"“I just realized the team, they need me to step up, so I really took that to heart, and I’ve just been working hard and trying to be that guy for everybody. That meeting definitely clicked for everybody in that room that was in there. It was a heart-to-heart.We felt what my teammates were saying up there and I feel like it brought us closer together, and you can just see, being out there with us, we’re like really coming together. We’re unified and that’s the most important thing – this brotherhood.That’s the thing that we have to protect from day-to-day is this brotherhood.”"
Williams was referring to the team meeting the Miami football team held last week ahead of playing Florida State. The Hurricanes were roundly criticized by the media and fanbase after the home losses to Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech. Miami was expected to win those games. With Williams getting healthy Miami has recovered.
Williams came in off the bench in the fourth quarter a week ago to lead the Hurricanes to a late victory at Pittsburgh. He then had the second 300-yard passing game of his young career against Florida State on Saturday. Williams set a career-high with 313 yards passing against the Seminoles.
Williams and the Miami passing game should continue to have success this weekend against Louisville. The Cardinals allow 259.4 passing yards per game, which is 106th nationally. As Williams to continues to grow on the field and as a leader, the Miami offense should evolve to become more explosive and consistent.