Miami football alum Mike Harley and media ask what happened to Breshard Smith

Mike Harley who is the all-time leader in receptions in the history of the Miami football program tweeted for the Hurricanes to “FEED Brashard Smith” and The Athletic beat writer Manny Navarro mentioned, “Since his breakout performance against Clemson, Brashard Smith has had 4 touches from scrimmage for 11 yards.”

On Saturday Smith had two kickoff returns for 66 yards, but no touches on offense. The four touches Smith had for 11 yards that Navarro alluded to all came in the 29-26 Miami overtime win versus Virginia last week. The Miami football team only had three plays of 15 or more yards in the 20-6 loss at North Carolina State on Saturday.

Miami had no plays of 20 or more yards on Saturday. Smith showed his explosiveness against Clemson with an 80-yard run that resulted in a Miami touchdown. In addition to the 80-yard run versus Clemson, Smith has eight first-down receptions, five catches of 15 or more yards and four for 25 or more yards in 2023.

In ACC games Miami ranked eighth entering the weekend with 12 pass plays of 20 or more yards. Miami has been equally inadequate in producing explosive running plays. Miami entered the weekend 10th in the ACC with 41 run plays of 10 or more yards. Smith is the most explosive player on the Miami football roster.

Before the loss to North Carolina State, Smith had 11 receptions for 136 yards and a TD and five carries for 88 yards in the previous three games. Smith entered the weekend fourth on Miami with 17 receptions for 228 yards and two TDs. Smith makes a difference with the ball in his hands.

Mario Cristobal and offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson have to find a way to spark a struggling offense. After gaining at least 451 yards in their first six games, Miami had 362 total yards versus Clemson two weeks ago and under 300 yards in each of the last two games. Smith would provide Miami with more explosiveness.