Miami nearly exceeds entire 2023 TE production versus Florida
Miami had 18 receptions for 154 yards and one touchdown from their tight ends in 2023. In the 41-17 win over Florida on Saturday, the Miami TEs had seven receptions for 136 yards and one TD. Elijah Arroyo led the Miami TEs with four receptions for 89 yards. Cam McCormick had one reception for nine yards and the lone Miami TE TD.
Freshman Elija Lofton helped Miami run out the clock with a key 35-yard reception late in the game. Lofton finished with two receptions for 38 yards. Talented sophomore TE Riley Williams was not targeted versus Florida. Williams led Miami TEs in 2023 with 72 receiving yards, had the lone TD and tied McCormick with eight receptions.
Expect the Miami TEs to continue to be a bigger part of the passing game with Cam Ward at QB. Arroyo is fifth in receptions per game and second in yards per game among TEs in the ACC after week one. Some ACC teams have played two games this season.
Arroyo, Lofton and Williams project as the primary targets at TE for Ward. McCormick is utilized more as a blocking TE. Arroyo, Lofton and McCormick were perfect with receptions on all seven of their combined targets. The TE production made Miami a significantly more diverse offense than they were in 2023.
"They were very productive...The ball found almost every one (TEs) of them multiple times. It’s just what’s been going on in practice every day, so you hope that when you go play the game, the ball gets distributed like it has been in practice. To me, that’s the key."
- Miami OC Shannon Dawson
Arroyo particularly could be in for an extremely productive season and return Miami to the TE U moniker. Arroyo could eclipse Will Mallory who led Miami with 42 receptions for 538 yards and added three TDs at TE during the 2022 season. Last year was an aberration with Miami not getting the TEs involved offensively.
Next. Lance Guidry states Miami knew what Florida was running offensively. Lance Guidry states Miami knew what Florida was running offensively. dark
Expect Miami to continue to incorporate the TEs on Saturday versus FCS Florida A&M. FAMU has allowed only 274 yards passing through two games, but they are permitting 7.83 yards per attempt and 14.42 yards per completion. FAMU also allows 190.5 rushing yards per game. Miami should be able to do what it wants offensively.