When Mario Cristobal hired Josh Gattis as offensive coordinator one of the tenets would be a more balanced offense. The Miami football team used that balance on Saturday in a 70-13 victory to begin the Cristobal era as head coach. Running back Henry Parrish had 133 total yards and three touchdowns in his own Miami debut.
Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke played into the third quarter finishing 13 out of 16 for 193 yards and two TDs. Miami was without running back Jaylan Knighton who participated in pre-game warmups but did not play. The Miami football team was still able to go deep into the depth chart throughout the roster.
Seven different Miami players scored TDs. That included a 32-yard interception return for a TD in the first half by Gilbert Frierson. With Knighton out, Parrish and Thad Franklin had the majority of the carries for Miami. Franklin finished with nine carries for 78 yards and two TD. Devon Perry and Terrell Walden also had rushing TDs.
Xavier Restrepo led Miami with five receptions for 100 yards and a 16-yard TD reception. Michael Redding III also had a TD reception. Ten different Miami receivers caught passes on Saturday. Caleb Johnson led the Miami defense with five tackles. Akheem Mesidor had four tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack.
Corey Flagg had four tackles and two tackles for loss. The Miami defense recovered after allowing Bethune-Cookman to kick a field goal on the first drive of the game to take a 3-0 lead. Miami scored 28 straight points to take a commanding lead. Bethune-Cookman scored their lone TD in the second quarter.
Jalon Jones threw a 34-yard TD pass to QueShaun Byrd to cut the lead to 28-10. Miami extended the lead to 42-10 at halftime. The Hurricanes scored two TDs each in the third and fourth quarters while allowing two Bethune-Cookman second-half field goals. Miami outgained Bethune-Cookman 582-342.
The Hurricanes had 305 yards rushing. Miami finished plus two on turnovers. Cristobal was concerned with Tyler Van Dyke losing a fumble inside the Bethune-Cookman 10 yardline and discussed more things to clean up. Miami was seven for seven on third down. Bethune-Cookman finished five for 13.
Jones led Bethune-Cookman completing 11 passes in 20 attempts for 243 yards, one TD and one interception. Dylaan Lee had five receptions for 83 yards. Miami held Bethune-Cookman FCS All-American tight end, Kamari Averett, to one reception for a loss of three yards. Miami will host Southern Mississippi next Saturday.