Miami football challenge versus UVA QB Brennan Armstrong similiar to Duke
Virginia quarterback Brennan Armstrong presents a similar challenge to the Miami football team as a dual threat like Duke signal caller Riley Leonard. Leonard scorched Miami for 136 yards passing and a touchdown and added 61 rushing yards and three scores. Armstrong threw for 268 yards and ran for 19 in 2021 versus Miami.
Under new head coach Tony Elliott, the production from Armstrong has regressed this season compared to 2021. Armstrong completed 65.2 percent of his passes attempt in 2021 for 4,449 yards, 8.9 per attempt, 31 TDs and 10 interceptions with a 156.4 passer rating and 251 rushing yards and nine rushing TDs.
This season, Armstrong has completed 55.3 percent of his pass attempts for 1,618 yards, six TDs, nine interceptions, is averaging 6.6 yards per attempt but his 286 yards rushing has eclipsed his rushing total from last season and has four TDs on the ground. Miami has to limit the ability of Armstong to run and scramble.
For the second time in three weeks, Miami travels to the commonwealth of Virginia to play one of the worst offenses in the ACC. Virginia has regressed significantly offensively since last season with former offensive coordinator Robert Adae now at Syracuse. Virginia is 13th in the ACC averaging 17.6 points per game.
The Cavaliers are
10th averaging 364.6 yards per game
. Virginia has frequently played from behind this season causing them to rely on the pass. The Cavaliers are 13th in the ACC with 233 rushing attempts. Virginia is eighth averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Armstong is second on Virginia in rushing yards and leads them in rushing TDs.
Armstrong had a season-high versus an FBS opponent with 13 carries for 91 yards and a TD in the 16-9 Virginia win over Georgia Tech last Thursday. Armstong also threw for 255 yards, one TD and two interceptions versus the Yellow Jackets. Miami has to be aware of the ability of Armstong to beat them by passing and running.
Mario Cristobal opens his press conference saying they watched film and got back to work and credits Virginia for their win.
— Adam Lichtenstein (@ABLichtenstein) October 24, 2022
The Miami football team has often had difficulty containing running QBs in recent seasons. Three Bethune-Cookman QBs ran 12 times for 45 yards against Miami in the season opener. Middle Tennessee State QB Chase Cunningham had nine carries for 29 yards and a TD versus Miami when he wasn’t burning them for long TDs.
Drake Maye of North Carolina had 14 carries for 53 yards against Miami in addition to 309 passing and two TDs. Grant Wells of Virginia Tech had 16 carries for 35 yards and a TD. Multiple QBs have scored rushing TDs against Miami this season. If the Hurricanes are not cognizant of Armstong he will have a chance to run for a TD.
dark. Next. Tyler Van Dyke out at least 2 weeks, Jake Garcia starts vs UVA
Overall, Miami is second in the ACC allowing 111.29 rushing yards per game. The nine rushing TDs Miami has allowed is eighth in the ACC. Over half of the rushing TDs Miami has allowed this season have been to QBs. The Miami football team has to improve for that on Saturday or Armstong could have a big game on the ground.