Miami football needs more consistent 2021 rushing offense

The Miami football team needs a more consistent rushing offense in 2021. Miami averaged over five yards per carry running in six games in 2020 and had five games under four yards per carry. The Hurricanes began the 2020 season with 337 yards rushing in a 31-14 victory over UAB.

The Hurricanes had their highest average yards per carry in the first three games of the 2020 season. A week after shredding a good UAB defense for 6.5 YPC and three touchdowns, Miami ran for 200 yards, averaged 5.4 yards per carry and two TDs against Louisville. Miami added 200 yards, 5.4 YPC and four TDs versus Florida State.

The numbers running dried up in a midseason slump. Playing Clemson can stifle any team. The Miami football team averaged 2.6 YPC in a 42-17 loss to the Tigers. The poor numbers on the ground continued the following two weeks in wins against Pittsburgh and Virginia and in a defeat of Virginia Tech in November.

Miami averaged 2.57 yards per carry in the wins over the Panthers and Cavaliers. The Hurricanes ran for 194 yards on 38 carries in a wild 44-41 victory over the Wolfpack in Raleigh. Quarterback D’Eriq King was a big part of that with 15 carries for 105 yards. Running back Cam Harris had 15 carries for 62 yards rushing.

The inconsistency was frustrating over the last six games of the 2020 season. Miami began a streak over alternating under three yards per carry and over five in the last six games that began against Virginia in October. The addition of deep threat

Charleston Rambo

at wide receiver from Oklahoma should help open up the field.

Rambo averaged 15.5 yards per reception in three seasons with the Sooners. In 2019, Rambo was 23rd nationally with nine receptions of 30 or more yards. Miami was able to break big running plays in 2020 but needs more consistency in 2021. King was the biggest threat for Miami breaking big runs last season.

King was 21st nationally in 2020 with 26 runs of 10 or more yards. Harris and Jaylan Knighton showed what they are capable of in 2020 with big plays against Louisville. On back-to-back Miami offensive plays, Harris and Knighton had 75-yard TDs. Harris had a big run. Knighton went to the house on a swing pass.

Miami was highly ranked in long-rushing plays in 2020, but it often seemed like they would have a bulk of those plays in a few games. In the second year of the Rhett Lashlee offense in 2020, Miami should be more consistent offensively in 2021. Don Chaney adds versatility to Harris and Knighton for the Miami football team at RB.

Harris was often the tough runner for Miami in 2020 with Knighton more explosive. Chaney provides the balance of running for tough yards and being a threat for longer runs. Harris led Miami averaging 5.0 YPC in 2020. The competition to be the main ball carrier between Chaney, Harris and Knighton should fierce in training camp.