The 16th ranked Miami Hurricanes did what was expected on Saturday night in their home opener at Hard Rock Stadium against Bethune-Cookman College. The way in which they handled their business is what every Miami fan was anxious to see.

The 2022 new look Hurricanes made their season debut under first year head coach and former ‘Cane, Mario Cristobal. In camp, Coach Cristobal emphasized some changes and different offensive looks this year. His objectives include a culture shift and a more focused winning brand of football.

The two most obvious changes witnessed on Saturday was the Turn Over Chain is no longer apart of their culture and there is a big focus on having a balanced offense. With the Chain absent, the Miami defense picked off each of the three Bethune-Cookman quarterbacks with linebacker Gilbert Frierson returning one of the interceptions back 24 yards for a touchdown. Offensively, Miami was nearly perfectly balanced in rushing for 305 yards and passing for another 300.

“We will do whatever we need to win”

Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke

When asked in postgame about the change in their offensive approach, QB Tyler Van Dyke stated “we will do whatever we need to do to win.” Later he replied that they will be ready in the situation that future game plan calls for more passing.

Looking ahead, Miami will face a tougher level opponent in Southern Miss at home on Saturday, September 10 at Hard Rock Stadium with kickoff at noon. Southern Miss had a tough loss in overtime at home versus a talented Liberty team

Bethune-Cookman will look to bounce back against South Carolina State at home on Saturday, September 10 at Daytona Stadium with a 4 p.m. kickoff. SC State had a similar fate as BCC in their season opener against UCF losing 56-10.

STATS

Attendance 56,795

OFFENSE: 

UM – 605 total yds, 31 first downs, 3rd down conversion 7/7, time of possession 29:36

BCC – 342 total yds, 13 first downs, 3rd down conversion 5/14, time of possession 30:13

RUSHING:

UM (305 yds) – H. Parrish Jr 14/108 yds 3 TD, T. Franklin Jr 9/78 yds 2 TD

BCC (93 yds) – Q. Byrd 8/30 yds, T. Franklin 4/30 yds

PASSING:

UM (300 yds) – T. Van Dyke 13/16 193 yds 2 TD w/long 52yds, J. Garcia 8/8 107 yds 1TD

BCC (249 yds) – J. Jones 11/20 243 yds 1 TD 1 INT, T. Franklin INT, W. Simmons INT

RECEIVING:

UM – X. Restrepo 5/100 yds TD w/52 long, B. Smith 3/31 yds TD, M Redding III 2/31 yds TD,  

BCC – D. Lee 5/83 yds, M. Riley2/68 yds, D. Powell Jr. 2/56 yds, Q. Byrd 2/34 TD

DEFENSE:

UM – G. Frierson INT TD, J. Hodges C. Johnson 5 tkl(1/4), A. Mesidor 4 tkl(3/1) 1 sack, C. Flagg Jr. 4 tkl(2/2), K. Kitchens 3tkl(2/1) INT, J. Willams 3 tkl(0/3) INT 5 

BCC – A. Jones 7 tkl(3/4), J. Thornhill 7 tkl(3/4), D. Hampton 6 tkl(6/0), D. Hudson 6 tkl(6/0)

SPECIAL TEAMS:

UM – K. Smith 184 yds kickoff ret(long72yds)

Photo credit: Sean Russell/ FAAZ Sports