Rhett Lashlee offense scorched FSU defense coordinator Adam Fuller in 2019

As the offensive coordinator at SMU in 2019, Rhett Lashlee led an offense that scored 48 points against Florida State defensive coordinator Adam Fuller who was in the same position at Memphis.

Rhett Lashlee led the SMU offense to 48 points last season against current Florida State defensive coordinator Adam Fuller when he was at Memphis under current Seminoles head coach Mike Norvell. The Tigers defeated the Mustangs 54-48, but Lashlee clearly got the better of Fuller.

SMU did almost all of their damage through the air. If last week against Louisville and the game against Memphis while with SMU were any indication it would seem Lashlee will continue to attack offensively with the passing game. SMU quarterback Shane Buechele was 34-54 for 456 yards and three TDs in 2019 against Memphis.

The Mustangs ran 24 times for 97 yards but had three rushing TDs. Miami had a similar gameplan in their 47-34 victory over Louisville last Saturday. The Hurricanes attempted 30 passes for 325 yards and three TDs and ran 30 times for 160 yards and two TD. Seventy-five of the yards rushing came on a Cam Harris 75-yard TD.

Miami added a 75-yard TD pass from D’Eriq King to running back Jaylan Knighton and a 47-yard TD pass from King to tight end Brevin Jordan. SMU made big plays against the Fuller lead Memphis defense in 2019. Running back  Ke’Mon Freeman had a 68-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. Five SMU receivers had 30-yard receptions.

Miami is third nationally with eight plays from scrimmage of 30 yards or more. Only North Texas with 10 in two games is averaging more 30 plus yard plays from scrimmage per game. There has been some criticism that Miami has received a large percentage of their yards on big plays. That is a short-sided view.

Lashlee utilizes multiple formations and frequently sends players in motion. The play calling Lashlee makes throughout the game sets up opposing defenses to believe a play is happening a certain way. Lashlee then calls the opposite of what the defense believes is happening allowing for his offense to make big plays.

Knighton was wide open coming out of the backfield on the 75-yard TD reception that was mostly a catch and run. The Louisville defense was so focused on King in the run-pass option that Knighton was able to get out of the backfield undetected for the TD. Both Lashlee and Fuller will be able to adjust from 2019.

Through the first two games of the 2020 football season, Rhett Lashlee has shown the ability to adapt the Miami offense to what the defense is giving him. The Hurricanes ran for 337 yards in the season opener against UAB two weeks ago. Lashlee is an elite play-caller. That should continue Saturday against Florida State.