What has happened to Miami football big play offense?
After Tyler Van Dyke became the starting quarterback for the Miami football team in 2021 the Hurricanes became one of the best big play offenses in college football under former coordinator Rhett Lashlee. Miami has regressed as a big-play offense under new coordinator Josh Gattis in 2022.
The Miami football team was in the top 20 by most measures producing big plays in 2021. The Hurricanes are 99th nationally with 15 plays of 20 or more yards in 2022. There is a lot of speculation about why Miami has not produced big plays in 2022. Lashlee preferred an offense that would push the ball downfield.
Against Texas A&M Miami had six pass plays of 15 or more yards and three of 20 plus. Miami produced six run plays of 10 or more yards versus Texas A&M. The Miami defense was shredded by the Middle Tennessee State offense for four plays of 69 or more yards on Saturday. The biggest play for Miami went for 39 yards.
Miami had two plays for 23 yards as the second biggest plays versus Middle Tennessee State. Van Dyke has not been as aggressive pushing the ball downfield under Gattis as he did under Lashlee. Gattis had the reputation of wanting his quarterbacks to take what the defense gives the offense.
On Saturday
Van Dyke did not complete a pass in five attempts of 15 yards or more
. Backup QB Jake Garcia replaced Van Dyke in the third quarter on Saturday. Garcia completed three passes in eight attempts of 15 or more yards for 78 yards. Garcia completed three of five attempts over 15 or more yards to the right for 78 yards.
Losing Mike Harley and Charleston Rambo as the top two receivers from 2021 has hindered the ability of Miami to have a big-play passing offense. Rambo was eighth nationally in 2021 with 13 receptions of 30 or more yards. Van Dyke has 20 passes of 15 or more yards and four of 25 plus in four 2022 games.
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Garcia has seven completions of 15 or more yards and two of 25 plus in 90 fewer attempts. Mario Cristobal and Gattis will have a decision to make during the bye week before playing North Carolina on October 8 if Garcia or Van Dyke gives Miami the best chance to win. Part of that will be which QB better pushes the ball downfield.