Playing without starting quarterback D’Eriq King, freshmen quarterbacks Tyler Van Dyke and Jake Garcia led the way in the Miami Hurricanes 69-0 victory over Central Connecticut State. Five other Miami freshmen scored the first touchdowns of their collegiate careers. The future could be now for the 2021 Miami signees.
Van Dyke was 10-11 for 270 yards and three touchdown passes. Garcia completed 11-14 for 147 yards and two TDs and had one carry for 45 yards. Freshmen running backs Cody Brown and Thad Franklin and wide receivers Romello Brinson, Jacolby George and Brashard Smith all scored the first touchdowns of their Miami careers.
Brown showed why the Miami Hurricanes added him late after he initially signed with Tennessee. The former Georgia high school star finished with 14 carries for 77 yards and two TDs. Franklin had seven carries for 88 yards and a TD. Brown and Franklin both shared the carries with fourth year junior Cam’Ron Harris.
Harris finished with 183 yards in total offense and three TDs. Smith had five receptions for 91 yards and a 75-yard touchdown reception. Smith took a short pass to the house and added one carry for eight yards Brinson finished with two receptions for 25 yards and George one for 44 and a TD.
Several Miami freshmen made an impact on defense. Defensive backs Jalen Harrell and James Williams, defensive linemen Elijah Roberts and Leonard Taylor and linebacker Deshawn Troutman all had three tackles. Williams also added his first career interception and a pass breakup against Central Connecticut State.
The future for Miami could be here sooner that originally thought. Fifth year senior starting center Gaynor was benched after 27 straight starts in favor of third-year sophomore Jakai Clark. Williams started at safety after starter Gurvan Hall was suspened. Jaylan Knighton returns at RB next week after a four game suspension.
Miami went with a veteran offensive line after ironically losing second-year freshman Jalen Rivers for the season last week with a knee injury. The other starters were left tackle Zion Nelson, left guard Navaughn Donaldson, right guard D.J. Scaife and right tackle Jarrid Williams. That could be the OL for the remainder of the season.
Miami has a short turnaround after the vicotry on Saturday. The Hurricanes can move into a first place tie in the ACC with a victory over Virginia in their conference opener on Thursday night. Preseason ACC Coastal Division favorite North Carolina lost 45-22 to Georgia Tech on Saturday night.