Miami outlasted FSU with a sledgehammer running attack and line depth the ‘Noles couldn’t match.
The Miami Hurricanes (8-0, 4-0 ACC) knocked off their rivals the Florida State Seminoles (1-7, 1-6) 36-14 on Saturday night in front of a sold out crowd at Hard Rock Stadium.
Miami did cover my expected spread of 14+, even if it was a crock potting after all. The Canyonero Keys to Victory for Miami against FSU were:
1- Stay focused on the task. Miami came out focused with a stellar opening script to go up 7-0 but lost focus at times over the course of the game. A 17-7 score at the half is not what many of us thought (although, I did predict a late surge).
2- Don’t fall into the trap. It’s almost as if Miami is the trap and FSU had to avoid falling into the ‘Canes antics. Miami still put up more penalty yards but could afford to against a bad FSU offense that couldn’t consistently move the football.
3- Clean up the fundamentals. NOPE. This one certainly didn’t happen and Miami is very fortunate that FSU is as bad as they are. A freshman QB missing a wide open TD throw to throw into coverage. Clemson, Pitt, Oregon and Texas aren’t going to make those mistakes.
Blown coverages, missed tackles, bad pursuit and tracking, and pass protection breakdowns were back again for another week.
The Doppler
The ‘Canes offense was successful on both third and fourth down conversion. Miami ended the game 8-of-14 on 3rd down and 3-of-3 on 4th down. The benefit of a mobile QB and 235-pound running back.
The ‘Canes defense was successful on 3rd down, partially due to the FSU quarterbacks putting on horrible performances through the air. FSU was 3-of-13 on 3rd down and 4-of-7 on 4th. FSU HC Mike Norvell had some good and some ugly 4th down calls that left a lot to be desired from a coaching perspective.
Neither team turned the football over which in a Miami vs. FSU game seems really odd. Miami dominated the time of possession (somewhere, Josh Gattis is smiling) by 11 minutes.
The penalties are still an issue for Miami. The Hurricanes were flagged for 85 yards of penalties while FSU was flagged for 65 yards worth. You’d expect a poorly coached squad that’s lost their season to be sloppy, but Miami really needs to clean this mess up for the College Football Playoffs.
Andres Borregales for Miami was money once again finishing 3-of-3 on field goals and PAT’s. Miami’s kicking game will take a dip next season without a Borregales lining up at kicker.
Miami Offense
This was the kind of performance I didn’t see coming from Cam Ward. Ward looked completely lost and borderline helpless against… FSU? The Heisman Trophy candidate averaged only 5.9 yards per pass attempt without throwing a single touchdown on the night.
Ward, however, did catch a short throw from tight end Elijah Arroyo to add to his Heisman reel at the ceremony this December. Shannon Dawson showed that he’s willing to pivot and leaned on the run game this week.
It’s only taken six-plus weeks but Damien Martinez has earned every penny in games seven and eight to help Miami remain undefeated. Martinez rushed for 9.9 yards per carry with two touchdowns against the ‘Noles. Mark Fletcher Jr. also scored, and rushed for 4.7 yards per carry of his own.
Miami wound up with four double-digit yards per catch receivers and four with explosives on the night. Isaiah Horton caught the most balls with six and tied Martinez with the longest reception of the night, 21-yards.
The offensive line looked solid in run blocking while Martinez made them look even better with his bruising yards-after-contact style of running. The O-Line allowed four sacks and five TFL’s as Ward was basically ineffective running the football.
Above– The OL opened up a huge hole here for Fletcher and that’s what the run game should be about. Let him avoid 1st level contact, fake or break 2nd level and get to 3rd.
Above– Miami ran this a couple of times early as they saw FSU’s cat blitz on tape. The RPO hitch tag is open as the safety tries to drop deep adn the LB is sucked up into the run.
Above– I have some questions about Alex Mirabal right now. You have blue chip OL at LT and RT plus a highly regarded transfer center. But the guys you need to develop just aren’t coming through. ie. Ryan Rodriguez at center, Matthew McCoy at guard and Samson Okunlola at tackle. Jalen Rivers is from the old staff and Francis Mauigoa was a five-star at IMG. I’m actually questioning the development of Mauigoa as well.
Above– Although this is really on Damien Martinez. He doesn’t move an inch in his pass pro and step up and into the block. Just like a tackle, you can’t give a guy space on the interior. This is a meet him at the LOS type of need.
Above– Mauigoa leaves the inside open which is RULE ONE of being an offensive lineman. Never ever let someone come free inside. Always give up the outside pressure to pick up inside.
Above– Also he’s in a horrible position here to make any block. Over extends back side then lunges front side. At least commit to one at some point.
Above– Martinez has been dialed in and proving he doesn’t need a hole to produce yards. He’s the yards after contact king right now. FSU ‘s defender shoots too high above the hip and gets thrown off.
Above– Ward doing the CFB ‘25 AI QB stuff again. FSU had him sacked 3x and couldn’t bring him down AND he completes this throw for positive yards.
Above– Here’s the thing about McCoy, if you’re going to turn your shoulders and help, then help. He gets turned and can’t pick up and delayed LB pressure AND doesn’t punch Jackson in the ribs to slow him down.
Above– I hate to beat up the guy this much but he had a Zion Nelson type of day and he’s not a true freshman at 240 pounds. He’s got in game experience and was a towel boy against Jackson. He has absolutely no pop in his punch, and no ass to stalemate the DT.
Above– I’m a huge fan of trick plays. I think they keep the players focused in practice and excited about the upcoming week. The TE Elijah Arroyo throwing a TD to Cam Ward is really fun. Ward’s Heisman reel just adding plays to it like a JV slap on Hudl.
Miami Defense
DC Lance Guidry was up against one of the worst offenses in P4 football and allowed them to look effective at times. Luke Kromenhoek and Brock Glenn averaged only 3.6 yards per pass attempt but some of that was on Kromenhoek missing or not taking wide open throws- and not on Miami’s lockdown defense.
This reminds me of a few past Miami games when the ACC offenses have been really down and the QB’s just can’t hit wide open throws to make the ‘Canes pay. It is one benefit of playing in a hapless conference.
Kromenhoek wasn’t effective throwing, but he did rush for 6.5 yards per carry (including sack yardage). He gave the ‘Noles a nice spark while Lawrance Toafili averaged 4.3 yards per carry and Glenn hit for 4.4 (including sacks).
FSU had three double-digit receiving averages and a pair of explosive receiving plays. Ja’Khi Douglas and Amaree Williams caught balls of 29 and 27 yards, respectively. However, neither caught another pass against UM. Miami came away with four PBU’s against the ‘Noles receivers.
The Miami defensive line came away with three sacks and four TFL’s. Rueben Bain Jr, Simeon Barrow and Akheem Mesidor all logged a sack vs. FSU.
Above– This is a REALLY far throw for a QB. I’m not sure why Norvell doesn’t have him work back inside at all. Align closer, take a few steps in at the snap. Something. But if I knew my opponent couldn’t tackle in space I would run screens of all types, speed option, truck toss, and rub concepts.
Above- Francisco Mauigoa had a nice PBU later but damn this guy can’t track the near hip to save his life. His physical traits are limited and coming to Miami’s S&C program won’t help that at all; but now his technical and tactical skills seem to be fading as well.
Above– Miami winds up with two back end defenders on one receiver, one with his back turned to the QB. No one in the back seven takes the QB on a boot. Tyler Baron actually chases him down from the far hah.
Above– Again, if I know Miami can’t track or finish in space I’m running toss. Why run something inside into the teeth of where Miami is strong- ie. Mauigoa in a phone booth with Barrow and Bain inside. Get outside and challenge a Miami DB to make a play.
Above– Hill gets one dropped on his head here. He’s beat by the WR and the QB drops a dime. Clemson and Pitt will have the ability to hit on these throws much more often than FSU.
Above– This is why you bring in Tyler Baron, Simeon Barrow, etc. If a team tries to focus on Bain you have other pass rushers in a ‘pass first’ world.
The Wrap
“Winning isn’t easy”- as Cam Underwood said in the GBU this week. Getting a win against a rival in your QB’s worst game of the season is always a positive. Miami leaned on the run game and Martinez delivered. The defense faced a really bad offense and did what they needed to do- held them out of the end zone.
Miami’s easy ride to the ACC Championship Game will continue on Saturday, November 2nd at Hard Rock Stadium. We’ll preview that one on Halloween, my favorite holiday.