Miami football has painted itself into quarterback corner
With Tyler Van Dyke coming off the two worst games of his career the Miami football program has painted itself into a corner at quarterback. Emory Williams proved he can be a game manager at QB in the win versus Clemson. Reinserting Williams at QB on the road at number four Florida State is a difficult ask.
Van Dyke has completed 41 passes in 68 attempts for 336 yards, no touchdowns and five interceptions in his last two games. Pro Football Focus gave Van Dyke a 43.3 grade over the past two weeks. Per David Lake of Inside the U, Van Dyke ranks 83rd out of 87 QBs who had at least 50 dropbacks over the past two weeks.
Van Dyke ranked 85th with an average depth of attempt of six yards past the line of scrimmage in the past two weeks and with seven turnover-worthy plays that were tied for last nationally. Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson has started calling a more conservative game with Van Dyke struggling.
Dawson called a conservative game in the first half when Williams started versus Clemson. Williams completed 10 passes in 16 attempts for 31 yards with 0 TDs and one interception as Miami was tied at seven at halftime. Dawson opened up the playbook in the second half versus Clemson.
Tyler Van Dyke interceptions ...
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) November 5, 2023
2021 and 2022 combined -- 11, in 578 pass attempts
2023 -- 11, in 251 pass attempts
There's something we don't know. Has to be.
Williams completed 14 passes in 17 attempts for 120 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in the second half versus Clemson. Miami rallied from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to force overtime. Williams had a pair of key throws in the second overtime, including converting a third down to keep the Miami drive alive.
The other possibility for the Miami football team is to utilize Jacurri Brown in special packages versus Florida State. Brown can play in every game in the remainder of the 2023 season and maintain his redshirt. North Carolina State backup QB Brennan Armstrong had eight carries for 51 yards versus Miami.
Next. UM poor 3rd down conversions, RZ and TOs costly vs NC St. dark
Whatever decision Mario Cristobal and Dawson chose to make at QB is a tough one. Van Dyke has hindered the Miami offense for nearly a month. Asking a true freshman to start at QB on the road versus the fourth-ranked team in the country who is also your archrival and beat you 45-3 last year is putting Williams in a tough position.