Miami Hurricanes Rhett Lashlee and D’Eriq King recognized nationally

The performance by the Miami Hurricanes offense against Louisville has garnered multiple mentions for new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee and new quarterback D’Eriq King.

Through the first two games of the 2020 season, the Miami Hurricanes offense has shown the ability to punish teams running and passing. Miami had 337 rushing yards in a season-opening 31-14 victory over UAB September 10. Saturday new Miami quarter D’Eriq King threw for 325 yards and three TDs in a 47-34 win over Louisville.

Virtually every national major media outlet has praised the Miami offensive production through the first two weeks. Miami’s victory on Saturday came in front of a national television audience in the first game of the 2020 college football season between two ranked teams. Miami entered the game 17th and Louisville 18th.

Lashlee put on a clinic with his game plan and play calling and King executed Lashlee’s vision perfectly. The Miami offense has a chance to be historically great in the words of some of the national college football media. The performance by the Miami offense came in front of the top announcing team in college football.

Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit called the game for ABC and came way impressed with the performances by the Miami Hurricanes newcomers on offense and defense. Miami head coach Manny Diaz has adapted to the transfer portal better than any coach in college football and Fowler also included Lashlee.

In a list of the 10 big takeaways from this past weekend, Anthony Treash of Pro Football Focus remarked that Lashlee and King are leading what could become a historically great Miami Hurricanes offense. The balance that Miami has shown through the first two games has been remarkable.

"“1. D’Eriq King and Rhett Lashlee are cooking up a historically great Miami offense…King and offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee helped the passing attack produce 0.76 EPA per pass play, which is the highest mark the program has ever had in a single game in the PFF College era (since 2014, second-best came in 2016 Week 5, at 0.68).Just about a third of King’s pass attempts last night had some type of RPO or play-action concept attached. Miami produced 1.0 EPA per pass on such plays as King averaged 9.6 yards per attempt while generating a 143.5 passer rating.Even without these plays, Miami still had the most efficient passing attack from an EPA per play standpoint among those in Week 3 to play an FBS defense. King earned an 84.7 passing grade on the night, keeping his turnover-worthy play count to zero while producing a couple of big-time throws.ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit said in the broadcast that this might be the best offense Miami has had since the days of Ken Dorsey in the early part of the century — I 100% agree with that sentiment.”"

Bud Elliott of 247Sports was another national college football expert who praised the performance of the Miami Hurricanes offense. Elliott put in perspective the performance of the Miami defense but is concerned with the play of the Miami wide receivers. King, the running backs and tight ends are the Miami playmakers.

"“If there is a concern for Miami it’s at the receiver position. Miami receivers were targeted 18 times for just 99 yards. That’s a weakness which a few select defenses on the schedule could exploit.Miami’s defense did surrender 516 yards, but 156 of it came in the fourth quarter while Miami routinely maintained a multi-score lead.”"

The entire Miami WR corps has 17 receptions for 195 yards and no TDs in 2020. Tight end Brevin Jordan has nearly matched that by himself. Jordan has 10 receptions for 171 yards and two TDs. Second-team TE Will Mallory has one reception for 17 yards and a TD and had a 70 plus yard gain called back against Louisville.

Lashlee has proven through two games he is going to exploit what opposing defenses give him. UAB had a strong pass defense so Miami ran the ball at will. Louisville was not able to contain the Miami passing game so the Hurricanes continued to throw it. With Lashlee’s track record the receivers will be involved at some point.

The Miami offense should continue to thrive against Florida State Saturday night. The Seminoles allowed 438 yards against Georgia Tech but only 16 points because of problems with the Yellow Jackets kicking game. Miami does not have that issue this season. Anytime Miami gets near the opposing 40 they are in scoring range.

Jose Borregales has helped the Miami offense allowing them to not have to be so precise and have to rely on TDs for points. Lashlee should continue to call an aggressive game offensively against Florida State. The Hurricanes have a bye after the Seminoles and then get their truest test of the season October 10 at Clemson.