The Miami football team had another extremely disappointing performance in a big game with a 44-13 loss to Alabama in the season opener. Miami has to move past it, press the reset button and get ready for the home opener against Appalachian State next week. Alabama scored on its first five drives to take control.
The loss to Alabama is the third time in the last four years that Miami lost its season opener to an SEC team. While the Crimson Tide was scoring 27 points on its first five possessions, the Hurricanes could only generate 52 yards of total offense. Alabama freshman quarterback Bryce Young lit up the Miami football team.
Young finished 27-38 for 344 yards and set an Alabama record in a debut with four touchdown passes. Alabama overwhelmed Miami in every way. The Crimson Tide dominated both lines of scrimmage and Miami missed too many tackles in another blowout loss in a big game. Frustration is understandable.
The Miami football players and staff will watch the video of the game and then begin to get ready for Appalachian State. Miami has everything in front of them this season. The Hurricanes can still accomplish winning the ACC Coastal Divison and earning a berth in the conference championship game.
Final from Atlanta. pic.twitter.com/ztzo57TfDM
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) September 4, 2021
Alabama finished the game with a 501 to 246 advatange in yards.One of the positives were the young Miami wide receivers. Key’Shawn Smith had five receptions for 55 yards and Xavier Restrepo with three for a team leading 55 yards and the lone TD. D’Eriq King finished 23-31 for 178 yards, one TD and two interceptions.
John Metchie led Alabama with six receptions for 76 yards and one TD. Jameson Williams had four for 126 with most of that via a 94-yard TD reception. Williams’ TD came after Miami was stopped on fourth and goal from the one. Alabama tight end Cameron Latu had two TD receptions. Brian Robinson led Alabama with 10 carries for 60 yards rushing.
Tyrique Stevenson finished with nine tackles in his first game with Miami, Gurvan Hall eight and Te’Cory Couch six. Keontra Smith had five tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Bubba Bolden had five tackles, 0.5 TFLs and a pass breakup before being ejected for targeting in the first half. It was, simply, a long afternoon for Miami.
Miami has a lot of things to work on before the Mountaineers arrive in South Florida next weekend. Will Anderson destroyed the Miami offensive line with nine tackles and one sack. The Hurricanes OL has to regroup. Anderson was by far the best edge rusher Miami will play this season.
Miami has to figure out how to run more consistently. Cam’Ron Harris and Don Chaney Jr. combined for 19 carries for 60 yards. The outcome was simple, Miami was outclassed, outplayed and overwhelmed. With the competition the Hurricanes have in their last 11 games this season that is not likely to happen again.