Miami football has breakout games from Akheem Mesidor and Colbie Young
Defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor and wide receiver Colbie Young had breakout games for the Miami football team in a 20-14 win at Virginia Tech on Saturday. Mesidor had eight tackles 3.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks versus the Hokies. Young contributed nine receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown.
Mesidor had the second-highest tackle total of his collegiate career and set career highs in TFLs and sacks. Young set career highs in receptions and receiving yards playing in his second game at the FBS level. Young had three receptions for 43 yards in the 27-24 Miami loss versus North Carolina last week.
Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke looked for Young with the Miami football team missing multiple receivers. Wide receivers Jacolby George and Xavier Restrepo have been out for a few weeks. Tight end Will Mallory and WR Brashard Smith were lost to injuries on Saturday versus Virginia Tech.
Mallory had three receptions for 62 yards and Smith had six for 76 before being knocked out of the game. Mallory was literally knocked out of the game by Nasir Peoples of Virginia Tech. The play resulted in a targeting call and ejection for Peoples. Smith visited the injury tent during the game. The injury was undisclosed.
Mesidor entered the game against Virginia Tech as the third highest-rated pass rusher by Pro Football Focus. The 3.5 sacks from Mesidor on Saturday give him five this season.
Mesidor is tied for the ACC lead with five
pending other games on Saturday.YaYa Diaby of Louisville had five entering this weekend. Louisville has a bye.
Mesidor and Young should continue to be key players for Miami for the remainder of the 2022 season. Miami has been rotating on the defensive line. Defensive linemen Mitchell Agude, Nyjalik Kelly and Leonard Taylor all had sacks for Miami versus Virginia Tech. The WR corps is more uncertain.
Next. Miami holds off Virginia Tech after big start. dark
The injuries to Mallory and Smith on Saturday will have a big impact on who Van Dyke targets going forward. Young provides Miami and Van Dyke with a big target in the passing game at 6’5, 220 pounds. Miami hosts Duke next week. North Carolina is at Duke on Saturday night. Duke is 4-2 this season.