Jacurri Brown efficient and impressive in first Miami football start
Jacurri Brown was 14-19 for 136 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 185.9 passer rating with 19 carries for 87 yards rushing leading the Miami football team to a 35-14 win at Georgia Tech on Saturday in his first career start. Brown was the first Miami true freshman starting quarterback since Brad Kaaya in 2014.
Brown helped led the Miami football team to a good start. Miami had 192 of its 353 total yards and 14 of the 28 points scored offensively on the first three drives of the game. The Hurricanes had an 11-play, 75-yard drive in 6:16 that culminated with a 22-yard TD pass from Brown to tight end Will Mallory.
Eight of the first nine Miami plays of the game were runs by Brown, Jaylan Knighton, Brashard Smith and Lucius Stanley. Knighton led Miami with 118 yards on 16 carries and a fourth-quarter TD. Knighton had 23 yards rushing on the opening drive. Miami starting running back Henry Parrish was out on Saturday with an injury.
Brown was impressive in the first quarter. Offensive coordinator Josh Gattis helped Brown get off to a good start by calling short passes early. Brown was 5-7 for 62 yards and a TD in the first quarter. Miami had a 14-play, 93-yard drive in 7:31 that spanned the end of the first quarter into the second to take a 14-0 lead.
Brown connected with his classmate, true freshman TE Jaleel Skinner on a four-yard TD pass off play-action to take the 14-0 lead. That was the only reception and target for Skinner in the game. The TD reception by Mallory was on his only target of the game. Smith led Miami with four receptions and five targets.
Georgia Tech answered the Miami football score on a TD with 30 seconds remaining in the first half to cut their deficit to 14-7. The third quarter was scoreless. Georgia Tech and Miami combined for 138 yards in the third quarter. Brown led an eight-play, 3:54, 51-yard drive to extend the lead back to two scores.
Miami wide receiver Colbie Young caught an eight-yard TD pass from Brown to culminate that drive. Knighton had a two-yard TD run in the fourth quarter to extend the Miami lead to 28-7. Miami scored three TDs in 5:16 that culminated with a 99-yard interception return by Kamren Kinchens, his third pick of the game.
Next. Kinchens ties Miami single game interception record. dark
Frank Ladson Jr. led Miami with 42 yards on two receptions. Brown completed passes to seven different receivers. Miami leaned on the running game with 217 yards on 44 carries and the fourth-quarter TD run by Knighton. The offensive performance on Saturday was the epitome of the culture Mario Cristobal wants to establish.