In an appearance on Inside Access on the ACC Network, Miami quarterback Cam Ward discussed the challenges of playing at Florida and the key to communicating in one of the toughest road environments in college football. Ward also went in depth about his journey to Miami.
Miami has an experienced team led by Ward and fellow transfer addition, running back Damien Martinez from Oregon State. Martinez and Ward will not be intimated at Ben Hill Stadium on Saturday after playing in the Pac-12 for two years. Ward played at Oregon and Washington in 2023 and USC and Wisconsin in 2022.
Martinez played road games at Washington State, Arizona and Oregon in 2023 and Utah and Washington in 2022. Martinez had three carries for 12 yards as Oregon State defeated Florida 30-3 in the 2022 Las Vegas Bowl. Martinez is one of a few Miami players who has previously played against Florida.
Multiple other Miami players have played big road games in their collegiate careers. Kicker Andres Borregales, left tackle Jalen Rivers and wide receiver Xavier Restrepo are among the Miami players who have twice played at Florida State in their careers. Rivers, Restrep
ICYMI: We talked with Miami QB Cam Ward about where the team has made the biggest strides since spring, the challenge of playing UF, and why people should believe this year is different in Coral Gables. pic.twitter.com/7wWyf4CWEN
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"I think the biggest challenge for us is not trying to be too big-play happy offensively. Defensively, playing sound and having good communication. Communication is the biggest thing in wins and losses. From my past, Miami's past all-around. We need to communicate at a high level in a stadium like that. Fall back to the training our coaches provided since January and lean on each other. "Miami quarterback Cam Ward
Ward and the Miami offense have to take what Florida gives them defensively. Florida did have a propensity to allow big plays in 2023. The Gators were 131st out of 132 FBS teams allowing 24 plays from scrimmage of 40 or more yards. If Miami is patient offensively, the big plays could be there.
If Miami can generate big plays, that will take the crowd out of the game and help the communication as Ward mentioned. Miami also has to enter the game focused on Saturday. As Ward implies the past doesn't matter. This is a new Miami team in 2024, with several new key players. Staying together as a team will be critical in a tough road environment.