Miami football fans called out longtime ESPN basketball analyst Dick Vitale following a tweet he posted criticizing the Hurricanes 69-0 victory over Central Connecticut State on Saturday. Vitale chose the Miami victory as an example despite Power Five schools’ blowout victories every season over FCS schools.
Alabama defeated FCS Mercer 48-14 two weeks ago. Following being correctly called out by Miami football postgame show host Alex Donno, Vitale walked his comments back stating that “No one is ripping them / the kids played hard & just doing their best. Matchups like that should not happen.”
Vitale’s comments that FCS schools should not match up with FBS programs has been debated for years. Occasionally an FCS school earns an upset over an FBS program. Montana won at then number 20 Washington to open the season three weeks ago. Miami had most of its production from reserves on Saturday.
Miami already began the game without quarterback D’Eriq King. The Hurricanes led 21-0 after the first quarter, 49-0 at halftime and 62-0 after three quarters. Those that support FCS against FBS matchups, particularly Power Five schools advocate for the paycheck that is earned. Miami paid Central Connecticut State $650,000.
No one is ripping them / the kids played hard & just doing their best . Matchups like that should not happen .
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) September 25, 2021
Running back Cam’Ron Harris who had 183 total yards and three touchdowns was the only Miami starter on offense who had an extensive impact. Backup QBs Tyler Van Dyke and Jake Garcia, RBs Cody Brown and Thad Franklin and several reserve wide receivers did most of the damage against Central Connecticut State.
Miami was not the only ACC school that blew an FCS program on Saturday. Pittsburgh defeated New Hampshire 77-7 on Saturday. Vitale is closely aligned to Notre Dame. Choosing Miami was a questionable example more than his issue with FCS schools accepting a paycheck to usually getting blown out at an FBS program.