Game Day Notes: Miami Hurricanes at Clemson

MIAMI HURRICANES (5-5, 3-3 ACC)

HEAD COACH: Mario Cristobal (Miami, 1993) | CAREER: 67-65 (11th season) | AT MIAMI: 5-5 (first)

AT

9/#9 CLEMSON TIGERS (9-1, 7-0 ACC)

HEAD COACH: Dabo Swinney (Alabama, 1993) | CAREER: 159-37 (14th season) | AT CLEMSON: 159-37 (14th)

Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022

3:30 PM ET | ESPN

Clemson, S.C. Memorial Stadium (81,500)

 THE GAME

• After capturing a dominant 35-14 win last time out at Georgia Tech on Nov. 12, the Miami Hurricanes continue their first season under the direction of head coach Mario Cristobal on Saturday, Nov. 19 at Clemson. Kickoff for the game, slated for broadcast on ESPN, is set for 3:30 p.m. ET.

• The game will be broadcast on ESPN with Bob Wischusen (pxp), Dan Orlovsky (color) and Kris Budden (sideline) on the call. Joe Zagacki (pxp) and Don Bailey, Jr. (color) are in the 560 WQAM radio booth for their 21st season together. Josh Darrow manages sideline duties. Alfredo Alvarez (pxp) and Joe Martinez (color) will carry the game live on Radio Actualidad from Memorial Stadium on the Clemson campus.

THE SERIES

• The Hurricanes and Tigers are tied in the all-time series, 6-6. Miami leads, 2-1, in games played in the series all-time on the road at Memorial Stadium.

• Clemson has had the upper hand of late, having won three straight matchups in the series, including a 42-17 win in UM’s last trip to Clemson in 2020.

• The Hurricanes are currently 3-0 in road games in ACC play in 2022; Miami has never finished 4-0 on the road in a single conference slate in history.

THE HURRICANES

• After topping Georgia Tech, 35-14, in its most recent contest, Miami looks to make it back-to-back ACC wins when it travels to Clemson on Nov. 19.

• The Miami Hurricanes officially kicked off the Mario Cristobal era Sept. 3, when the Hurricanes topped Bethune-Cookman, 70-13, in their 2022 opener.

• DB Kam Kinchens became the eighth Hurricane to win ACC Player of the Week honors this year when he was recognized as ACC Defensive Back of the Week on Nov. 15 following Miami’s win over Georgia Tech. Kinchens had a school record-tying three interceptions in Miami’s 35-14 win vs. GT.

• Cristobal, a double alum of the University, was named the 26th head coach in program history by school president Dr. Julio Frenk on Dec. 6, 2021.

• Cristobal returned home after spending the previous four seasons as head coach at Oregon. During his time in Eugene, the Ducks were the only team to play in a Power-5 conference championship game each of his final three years. He led the Ducks to a Rose Bowl win and two Pac-12 titles.

• Cristobal is one of only two active head coaches to have produced a top-10 pick in each of the last three drafts, joining only Alabama’s Nick Saban.

• The first-year Miami head coach drew widespread acclaim for the staff he assembled, which includes reigning Broyles Award winner Josh Gattis as offensive coordinator, longtime coordinator and SEC veteran Kevin Steele as defensive coordinator and Charlie Strong as co-DC/linebackers coach

• QB Tyler Van Dyke entered his first full year as a starter with high expectations after earning ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year honors as a second-year freshman in 2021. Named to nearly every major offensive award preseason watch list, Van Dyke became the first quarterback since Joe Burrow (2019) to record a streak of six straight 300-yard passing games with three-or-more TDs in each of those games.

• TE Will Mallory (Mackey Award), James Williams (Bednarik Award), P Lou Hedley (Ray Guy Award), K Andy Borregales (Lou Groza Award), OL Zion Nelson (Outland) and DL Leonard Taylor (Bronko Nagurski Trophy) were also among those recognized with preseason watch list selections.

• In addition to a talented group of returners, the Hurricanes feature a 2022 recruiting class that finished ranked among the top 15 nationally by every scouting service and a group of newcomers through the transfer portal that includes DL Mitchell Agude (UCLA), DL Jacob Lichtenstein (USC), DL Akheem Mesidor (West Virginia), DL Darrell Jackson (Maryland), DL Antonio Moultrie (UAB), LB Caleb Johnson (UCLA), DB Daryl Porter, Jr. (West Virginia), OL Logan Sagapolu (Oregon), OL Jonathan Denis (Oregon) WR Frank Ladson, Jr. (Clemson) and RB Henry Parrish (Ole Miss).

MIAMI FACES CLEMSON IN ROAD FINALE

• Following a win over Georgia Tech on the road last time out, Miami travels to Clemson for its penultimate game of the regular season on Nov. 19 at Memorial Stadium.

• The all-time series is tied, 6-6, but Clemson has won three straight in the series, including a win in the 2017 ACC Championship Game in Charlotte, N.C.

• The Hurricanes are looking to finish 4-0 on the road in ACC play for the first time in history; Miami’s previous high for ACC road wins in a single season is three, accomplished most recently in 2017.

• Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM on ESPN.

BROWN LEADS UM TO ‘W’ IN FIRST START

• Making the first start of his career in front of his friends and family in his home state of Georgia, freshman QB Jacurri Brown threw for three touchdowns to help Miami top Georgia Tech, 35-14, last time out on Nov. 12.

• Brown, who was very impressive in the performance, finished 14-for-19 for 136 yards and added 87 rushing yards on 19 carries in the victory.

• A native of Valdosta, Ga., Brown became the first Miami true freshman quarterback to start since Brad Kaaya in 2014 and the first true frosh to throw for three TDs in the first start of his career since Gino Torretta in 1989.

HURRICANES TRAVEL TO CLEMSON FOR 2022 ROAD FINALE ON NOV. 19

• Miami continues its first season under the direction of head coach Mario Cristobal on Nov. 19 with its final road game of the season – a showdown with the #9/#9 Clemson Tigers at Memorial Stadium.

• Last time out on Nov. 12, Miami topped Georgia Tech, 35-14, at Bobby Dodd Stadium for the Hurricanes’ third ACC road win of 2022. UM has never finished a perfect 4-0 on the road in ACC play.

• Miami and Clemson are tied in the all-time series, 6-6. The Tigers have had the upper hand of late, winning three straight matchups, including a win in Miami’s last trip to Memorial Stadium in 2020.

• Cristobal was named the 26th head coach in the history of the program on December 6, 2021 after spending the previous four years at the helm of the Oregon Ducks. Cristobal is a two-time UM alum.

• When he departed Eugene, Cristobal was the only Power-5 head coach to lead his team to three straight conference championship games from 2019-2021. He won two Pac-12 titles, delivered a Rose Bowl to the Ducks and is one of just two active coaches to produce a top-10 pick three straight years.

• Miami is 2-1 all-time at Memorial Stadium; the Canes last won on the road in 2010 by a 30-21 score.

• UM’s game against Clemson is also slated for broadcast on 560 WQAM, Radio Actualidad and WVUM.

A LOOK BACK: MIAMI THROTTLES GEORGIA TECH, 35-14, IN ATLANTA

• Miami toppled host Georgia Tech, 35-14, in its most recent matchup on Nov. 12 at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. The Canes scored 21 fourth-quarter points in the rout of the Yellow Jackets.

• Making the first start of his career, QB Jacurri Brown delivered the Hurricanes to victory after throwing for 136 yards on 14-for-19 passing with three touchdowns. He also added 87 rushing yards.

• Missing two regular starters and three projected starters on the offensive line, Miami rushed for 217 yards – its first ACC game with 200 yards rushing since a win on the road at Duke on Dec. 5, 2020.

• RB Jaylan Knighton had the second 100-yard rushing game of his career, posting 118 yards on 16 carries with one touchdown. It was the second-highest single game output by rush yards of his career.

• DB Kam Kinchens tied the school record with three interceptions in the win, earning himself ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors. He returned his final interception 99 yards for a touchdown – the second-longest pick six in school history. Miami had four interceptions vs. Georgia Tech – its most since recording four in a win over Syracuse in 2017 and most on the road since a 2010 win at Duke (5).

• DL Jahfari Harvey and DL Mitchell Agude each had a solo sack; Miami’s ‘D’ had nine tackles for loss.

BROWN SHINES IN FIRST START OF CAREER TO LEAD UM TO VICTORY

• Making the first start of his career, QB Jacurri Brown was impressive in Miami’s win over the Jackets, throwing for 136 yards on 14-for-19 passing with three touchdowns. He also added 87 rushing yards.

• Brown, a native of Valdosta, Ga., had seen an increased role over the previous four games, splitting time with QB Jake Garcia vs. Florida State on Nov. 5. His 87 rushing yards were the most by a Miami quarterback since QB D’Eriq King rushed for 105 yards at NC State on Nov. 6, 2020 and third-most by a UM signal caller over the last five seasons, trailing King and Malik Rosier (90, vs. Wisconsin in 2018).

• Brown became the first Miami true freshman to throw three touchdowns in his first start since Gino Torretta (1989). He became UM’s first true freshman quarterback to start since Brad Kaaya in 2014.

• Brown was a four-star prospect out of high school, ranking as the No. 192 player in the ESPN 300.

KINCHENS AMONG NATION’S PREMIER BALLHAWKS, ACC DB HONOREE

• DB Kamren Kinchens delivered a performance befitting of the Miami record books, tying a school record with three interceptions in Miami’s 35-14 win. He was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week.

• Kinchens now leads the country with six interceptions – the most by a Hurricane in seven seasons, and the most since Artie Burns had six in 2015. He also led Miami with eight tackles in the win over GT.

• The sophomore and Miami native returned his final pick 99 yards for a touchdown, recording the second-longest interception return in Miami history in the process to help seal another road victory.

• Before Burns recorded six interceptions in 2015, the last Hurricane to have that many interceptions in a season was the late legendary defensive back Sean Taylor, who had 10 picks during the 2003 season.

• Kinchens led Miami Northwestern High to three Class 5A state championships (2017, 2018, 2019). With his performance, Kinchens…

– Became the first Hurricane with three picks in a game since 2006 and the 12th all-time in UM history

– Became the first ACC player with three-plus interceptions with one for a touchdown since 2009

– Became the fourth player in the nation to have at least three interceptions in a game so far in 2022.

MIAMI ‘D’ AMONG NATION’S BEST AT WREAKING HAVOC IN BACKFIELD

• Miami’s defense has been among the nation’s most disruptive in terms of tackles for loss and sacks.

• The Hurricanes rank No. 5 nationally in team sacks, averaging 3.40 per contest. The figure puts them second in the ACC, behind only Louisville; only six teams in college football average at least 3.4 sacks.

• In addition to their gaudy sack numbers, the Hurricanes rank No. 9 nationally and No. 2 in the ACC in tackles for loss, averaging 7.8 per game. Miami trails only Clemson (7.9) in the ACC in the category.

• Among Miami’s top performers on the defensive line have been Akheem Mesidor (8.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks), Leonard Taylor III (8.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks) and DL Nyjalik Kelly, who has 4.0 sacks.

• Kevin Steele, a previous finalist for the Broyles Award honoring the nation’s top assistant coach, owns 38 years of coaching experience, including 13 in the SEC and 10 overall as a defensive coordinator.

• Miami has had 11 tackles for loss in back-to-back games at Virginia (Oct. 29) and against FSU (Nov. 5).

• Taylor III had a dominant individual performance versus Virginia, totaling 4.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks to win ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors. It was only the sixth performance of at least 4.0 tackles for loss in a single game by a UM defender in the last seven seasons dating back to 2016.

• Taylor III, who goes by ‘L.T.’, is one of only four Power Five players—including the only one in the ACC — to post a game this season with at least 6 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 4.0 TFLs. He is among just three ACC players in the last two seasons with 6 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 4.0 TFLs in a single game, joining Florida State’s Jermaine Johnson II (11/13/21) and Georgia Tech’s Charlie Thomas (9/25/21).

VAN DYKE INJURED VERSUS DUKE, MISSED LAST GAME VS. GA. TECH

• Named to nearly every offensive award major preseason watch list, QB Tyler Van Dyke entered 2022 poised for another big season after putting together an ACC Rookie of the Year campaign in 2021.

• Van Dyke, who had started 16 straight games since his first career start against Central Connecticut State on Sept. 25, 2021, saw his streak end when he missed Miami’s game at Virginia on Oct. 29 due to an upper body injury suffered versus Duke at home on Oct. 22. Though he returned to start UM’s game vs. Florida State Nov. 5, Van Dyke missed most of that game and Georgia Tech (Nov. 12).

• Van Dyke became the third Miami Hurricane to win both ACC Rookie of the Year and ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, joining Hurricanes QB Brad Kaaya (2014) and RB Duke Johnson (2012).

• Van Dyke took over starting duties three games into the season and ended the year by throwing for 2,931 yards, 25 passing touchdowns and just six interceptions. He completed 62.3 percent of passes.

NOT TO BE OUTDONE, TRUE FRESHMEN SHINED IN WIN OVER GA. TECH

• True freshmen have also made an impact; LB Wesley Bissainthe and QB Jacurri Brown started, DL Nyjalik Kelly ranks among Miami’s sack leaders and TE Jaleel Skinner has had an increased role.

• Miami featured three true freshman starters (Brown, Bissainthe and RG Anez Cooper) for the first time this season; Cooper has started three straight games at guard in place of Justice Oluwaseun.

• True freshmen accounted for four total TDs – three passing from Brown and one catch from Skinner.

• In Miami’s win over Georgia Tech, there were 255 snaps by true freshmen across both sides of the ball. DEFENSE RANKS No. 18 IN FBS IN FIRST DOWNS ALLOWED IN 2022

• Miami ranks No. 18 in FBS in first downs – defense, having allowed 169 through nine games. UM is one of only 18 teams in FBS have allowed fewer than 170 first downs, including just two in ACC (NC State).

MIAMI BATTLING SEVERAL KEY INJURIES ACROSS OFFENSE THIS YEAR

• In addition to WR Xavier Restrepo, Miami has also missed several key offensive figures and would-be contributors for multiple games this year, including TE Elijah Arroyo, OL Justice Oluwaseun, OL Zion Nelson, RB Don Chaney, Jr., OL Jakai Clark and OL Jonathan Denis, among others.