Miami Hurricanes offense evolving and achieving balance

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - SEPTEMBER 19:. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY - SEPTEMBER 19:. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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After running for 337 yards in the season opener last month the Miami Hurricanes offense is evolving and achieving more balance with each successive game.

The new Miami Hurricanes offense under first-year offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee has evolved with each of the three games this season. Miami ran for 337 yards in the season opener last month. Miami barely needed their passing game in the 31-14 victory over UAB. The passing game has come alive the last two weeks.

Graduate transfer quarterback D’Eriq King threw for 325 yards and three touchdowns in the 47-35 Miami victory over Louisville two weeks ago and had 317 and three TDs in the Hurricanes 52-10 victory last Saturday over Florida State. King has yet to be intercepted this season. King had one TD against UAB.

King has enhanced a Miami rushing offense that averaged 118.08 yards and ranked 120th nationally in 2019. Through the first three games this season, King has run for 157 yards and three TDs. Cam Harris leads Miami in rushing with 311 yards and five TDs. King is second on Miami in rushing yards.

Miami ranks sixth in 2020 averaging 5.86 rushing yards per carry. The Hurricanes were 106th averaging 3.77 yards per carry in 2019. The rushing offense was efficient against Louisville, but it was the Hurricanes passing game that carried them offensively. Miami had 30 carries for 160 yards and two TDs against Louisville.

Miami ran 37 times for 200 yards and four TDs in the rout of Florida State. King might be the best dual-threat QB in college football. Only Georgia Tech QB Jeff Sims has more rushing yards among Power Five QBs in 2020 than King. King has led what has been an explosive Miami offense rushing and passing.

Miami is tied for fifth with 22 rushing plays of 10 yards or more in 2020. The Hurricanes are tied for ninth nationally with four pass plays of 40 yards or more. Harris, freshmen RBs Don Chaney Jr and Jaylan Knighton and junior tight end Brevin Jordan have been the players that have keyed big plays for Miami this season.

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If Lashlee can continue to achieve balance and explosiveness offensively Miami will continue to develop and challenge opponents throughout the season. The Hurricanes are in the first season learning an offense that seems to have unlimited potential.