Coral Gables, FL.- For those that somehow don’t know, the University of Miami has been one of the top teams in College Football to begin the season.
Going into this weekend’s matchup at USF, the 3-0 Hurricanes are ranked as the 8th team in the land, with no signs of simmering down. Miami has manhandled their competition, defeating rival Florida 41-17, FAMU 56-9, and Ball State 62-0. In all of these contests, the ‘Canes have recorded well over 500 total yards, with the U’s recent win over Ball State totaling 750.
This category-5 Hurricane offense has been dismantling college football for weeks, but there’s a lot of football left to be played. Following their blowout victory over Ball State, ‘Canes star QB Cam Ward stated:
“We’re not even close to playing our best football right now.”
That may come as a surprise to some, or others may write it off as “Coach Talk”, but during the team’s post practice media availability earlier this morning (September 18), Ward, alongside WR Xavier Restrepo expounded on the quote.
“We need to just stay on schedule.” Ward proclaimed. “Doing things the right way is something we cleaned up last game {vs Ball St.}, especially in the pass game. I think the more that we stay doing the little things, it’ll help us out with this game {USF}.”
Consistency has been a staple of Cam Ward’s game throughout the beginning of the season. In all three games this season, Ward’s passed for over 300 yards and multiple scores. Cam Ward’s Heisman caliber performances have skyrocketed the U’s talented receiving corps featuring Xavier Restrepo, Jacolby George and Isaiah Horton.
The WR corps have been dynamite to start their 2024 campaigns, but the biggest beneficiary comes from senior leader Xavier Restrepo. In three games, Restrepo has recorded 14 catches, for 263 yards and 4 scores. Over the past few months, X has stepped into an even larger leadership role on this offense, demanding excellence and selflessness from all.
Throughout the opening quarter of the season, Miami’s offense has shown the ability to play for each other. Restrepo’s receiver’s corps, a position stereotypically filled with selfishness, has done everything needed in order to win. One of the biggest points of emphasis for this offense is the blocking abilities the ‘Canes WRs possess.
Miami’s WR group recognizes the amount of blocking from their running backs during pass-pro, and then returns the favor to the guys behind them. The perimeter protection has been on point to begin the season, as the ‘Canes have abused this for multiple explosive plays in numerous games. During outside runs or screen pass plays, theres a strong chance the ball carrier is paraded by a legion of lead blockers, knocking off all that stand in their way.
Earlier this morning, Restrepo spoke on this and shared:
“Thats what makes our team that much better.” Restrepo stated. “The unselfishness on the perimeter. We have meetings with our running back room, and we talk about how in pass protection, we want them {Runningbacks} to hold blitzing linebackers or edges so we can get open. It would be wrong if we don’t do the same for them in the run game.”
Did it for the U
— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) September 15, 2024
Xavier Restrepo scored two touchdowns in the Hurricanes third win of the season@CanesFootball | @MiamiHurricanes | @drpepper | #GoCanes pic.twitter.com/XkXS4tQ1lH
Going into Saturday’s matchup against a talented USF squad, the last thing Miami wants to do is get caught up in the hype.
While there is a lot of buzz surrounding the U again, Restrepo stated very bluntly what needs to be done in order to achieve their goals:
“There can’t be any room for complacency or comfortability.”
Cover Photo Credits: Alex Muniz, New Era Prep
