Miami Hurricanes RBs respond in second scrimmage
Improving the running game is a goal for the Miami Hurricanes offense this spring. Offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee has stated at least a couple of times the intention of finding a “bell cow” running back while keeping the other ball carriers involved. A pair of RBs stood out for Miami in their second scrimmage.
Junior Cam’Ron Harris and freshman Jaylan Knighton were the RBs who stood out according to head coach Manny Diaz in a video released by the Miami athletic department on Friday night following the second spring scrimmage held at Hard Rock Stadium. The offense reportedly looked sharp during the second scrimmage.
Harris led Miami with 643 rushing yards, 5.1 yards per carry, and 10 rushing touchdowns in 2020. Knighton had 52 carries for 209 yards and one TD and fellow freshman Don Chaney Jr. added 68 carries for 322 yards and three TDs. At the end of the season, Chaney seemed to pass Knighton on the depth chart.
After struggling in the middle of the season, Harris reasserted himself with 60 carries for 297 yards and five touchdowns over the final five games. Knighton often showed explosiveness last season and Chaney the versatility to get the tough yards and bust big runs. Harris and Knighton both had big plays in the second scrimmage.
"“Knighton, good to see, 12 (carries) for 66 (yards), he was our leading rusher. Cam, he did it early in the spring, he had a great red-zone run where he kind of somersaulted in the end zone at Greentree and tonight, he kind of leaped over a defender on his way to the end zone, which is impressive. He had eight for 39.”I felt the offensive line did a nice job as the day went on, opening up some holes for the backs in the second half.”"
Chaney will get a chance to match the performances by Harris and Knighton in the second scrimmage when the Miami Hurricanes return to Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday for the Spring Game at 11 AM ET on The ACC Network. Cheney had three breakout performances in games against Virginia, Duke and Oklahoma State in 2020.
Chaney ran 10 times for 43 yards and a touchdown against the Cavaliers had nine carries for 62 yards and four receptions for 83 against Duke and six carries for 50 yards with three receptions for 44 against Oklahoma State in the Cheez-It Bowl loss. With Harris, Chaney and Knighton Miami has three talented backs entering 2021.