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Miami Football: Report card for season-opening loss to Florida Gators

By Shannon Sickmon

ORLANDO, FL - AUGUST 24: Miami Hurricanes celebrate a fumble recovery by Scott Patchan #71 in the first half against the Florida Gators in the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Orlando, Florida.(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - AUGUST 24: Miami Hurricanes celebrate a fumble recovery by Scott Patchan #71 in the first half against the Florida Gators in the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Orlando, Florida.(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 27: DeeJay Dallas #13 of the Miami Hurricanes runs the ball in the third quarter of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 27: DeeJay Dallas #13 of the Miami Hurricanes runs the ball in the third quarter of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Running Backs: B+

I know I should be talking about the backs as a whole here, but DeeJay Dallas deserves a shoutout for being a bad dude. He was the bright spot behind an otherwise wobbly and inconsistent offensive line.

The kid basically can play almost any back position. He even had an awesome wildcat run, despite multiple Gator players trying to take him down — he barely lost a second. He also excelled as a traditional running back. Then he caught a high screen pass and blew through the Gators with his amazing speed and balance.

In the fourth quarter, he made another brilliant wildcat run to put Miami ahead. I honestly lost count of the sheer number of tackles he eluded — 300-400? Whatever, the dude is brilliant.

Oh, and the guy also pass blocks like a brick wall. There was insane zone pressure on him, but he allowed Jarren Williams to throw a touchdown. With every play he makes, he is improving his NFL draft stock. The rest of the backs aren’t without talent, but they need work.

Special Teams: D

Miami’s special teams coach needs to be grounded.  That was an abysmal performance. There was a sad missed punt return that led to Florida’s short-field score. Then there was the missed 27-yard field goal that MIGHT have changed the entire outcome of the game, as it would have given the ‘Canes a six-point lead.  The average punt was 45 yards, which is better than last year, but still.

I’m not sure if it was nerves on Miami’s part or the inexperience of the new head coach, but Florida didn’t actually WIN this game–they managed to outlast a Miami team that kept shooting themselves in the foot. The lackluster special teams unit was only a part of this comedy of penalties and errors.

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