Game Day Notes: Miami Hurricanes at Virginia

MIAMI HURRICANES (3-4, 1-2 ACC)

HEAD COACH: Mario Cristobal (Miami, 1993) | CAREER: 65-64 (11th season) | AT MIAMI: 3-4 (first)

AT

VIRGINIA CAVALIERS (3-4, 1-3 ACC)

HEAD COACH: Tony Elliott (Clemson, 2004) | CAREER: 3-4 (first season) | AT VIRGINIA: 3-4 (first)

Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022 12:30 PM ET | ACC RSN

Charlottesville, Va. Scott Stadium (61,500)

THE GAME

• After falling in its most recent ACC matchup with Duke last time out on Oct. 22, the Miami Hurricanes continue their first season under the direction of head coach Mario Cristobal on Sat., Oct. 29 at Virginia. Kickoff for the game, slated for broadcast on ACC RSN, is set for 12:30 p.m. ET.

• The game will be broadcast on Bally Sports Florida / Sun with Tom Werme (pxp), James Bates (color) and Wiley Ballard (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 Scott Stadium on the University of Virginia campus.

THE SERIES

• The Hurricanes lead the all-time series with the Cavaliers by an 11-8 margin, and have won six of the last nine matchups dating back to 2013.

• Miami’s trip to Scott Stadium is its first since 2018; Miami was slated to play in Charlottesville in 2020, but the schedule was altered due to COVID-19.

• The Hurricanes trail the all-time series in games played in Charlottesville, 5-3. UM’s last win over the Cavaliers in Charlottesville came in 2016, 34-14.

THE HURRICANES

• After falling 45-21 last time out vs. Duke, Miami hits the road looking to rebound with a victory in a matchup with homestanding Virginia on Oct. 29.

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

• P Lou Hedley and DL Akheem Mesidor became the fourth and fifth Hurricanes to win ACC Player of the Week honors this year when they were recognized as ACC Specialist of the Week and ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week, respectively, after dominant games at Virginia Tech on Oct. 15.

• 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).

UM ON HUNT FOR WIN IN GAME VS. HOOS

• Following a 45-21 loss last time out vs. Duke at Hard Rock Stadium, the Miami Hurricanes hit the road for an ACC matchup at Virginia on Oct. 29.

• Despite being Coastal Division foes, Miami’s trip to Virginia is its first since 2018; the Cavaliers have made three straight trips to Miami in the yearly series due to COVID-19 scheduling issues that affected the 2020 season.

• The Hurricanes lead the all-time series, 11-8 and have won six of the last nine matchups dating to 2013. Miami trails the series in Charlottesville, 5-3.

YOUNG HAS SECOND STRAIGHT 100-YARDER

• No one has emerged in a bigger way for the Hurricanes over the last three games than WR Colbie Young, who had his second straight 100-yard game last time out against Duke.

• Young, a junior college transfer from Lackawanna College (PA), arrived to UM shortly before training camp and showed glimpses of his ability in a three-catch 43-yard, one-touchdown performance vs. UNC on Oct. 8.

• Young had a career-best nine catches, 110 yards and a touchdown in Miami’s win at Virginia Tech on Oct. 15. Last time out, he was named ACC Receiver of the Week with six catches, 127 yards and two touchdowns.

HURRICANES HIT THE ROAD LOOKING FOR ROAD WIN VS. CAVALIERS

• Miami continues its first season under the direction of head coach Mario Cristobal on Oct. 29 with its second away ACC matchup of 2022 – a game with Virginia at Scott Stadium (12:30 p.m., ACC RSN).

• Last time out on Oct. 22, Miami fell in a home matchup with Duke – a 45-21 loss to the Blue Devils at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami dropped to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play with the loss to Duke.

• UM has an 11-8 all-time lead in its series with the Cavaliers. Saturday will mark Miami’s first trip to Virginia since 2018; the Hurricanes have played three straight in the series at home dating to 2019.

• 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.

• The Hurricanes have won six of the last nine versus Virginia, but fell in last year’s matchup, 28-30.

• Miami’s game against Virginia is also slated for broadcast on 560 WQAM and Radio Actualidad.

A LOOK BACK: YOUNG IMPRESSES, UM FALLS SHORT TO BLUE DEVILS

• Miami took the lead early in the second half but could not hold on versus Duke last time out, dropping a home matchup to the Blue Devils, 45-21. WR Colbie Young led Miami with 127 receiving yards.

• Young was named ACC Receiver of the Week for the first time on Oct. 24; the first-year standout recorded his second straight 100-yard game in the loss. Young made his second straight start vs Duke.

• QB Tyler Van Dyke was injured in the first half on a strip-sack. The reigning ACC Rookie of the Year, Van Dyke finished the game 11-for-16 for 81 yards with one touchdown before exiting due to injury.

• QB Jake Garcia saw the most significant time of his career in the defeat. He finished 13-for-21 for 198 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He threw a 71-yard touchdown pass in the loss.

• WR Jacolby George had five catches for 30 yards, while WR Frank Ladson, Jr., added three catches.

• DB DJ Ivey led the Hurricanes with seven tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery. DL Akheem Mesidor had two tackles for loss, while three different Hurricanes had one sack apiece.

DEFENSE PLAYING AT HIGH LEVEL UNDER STEELE’S DIRECTION IN 2022

• The Hurricanes are ranked No. 24 in FBS in rushing defense (112.7) and rank No. 2 in the ACC in the same category. Only 26 FBS teams average under 115 rush yards allowed per game, including Miami.

• In addition to its strong rushing defense numbers, Miami is ranked No. 10 in all of FBS in first downs allowed on defense (110), No. 8 in team sacks (3.43) and No. 24 in tackles for loss (6.70) so far.

• 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.

• Among Miami’s top performers on defense have been DL Akheem Mesidor and LB Corey Flagg, Jr.

MIAMI RANKED NO. 35 IN TOTAL OFFENSE UNDER BROYLES WINNER

• The Hurricanes are ranked No. 35 in total offense in FBS, averaging 444.1 yards per game under the direction of offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, who won the 2021 Broyles Award while at Michigan.

• The Hurricanes rank No. 30 in FBS in offense first downs gained (178), No. 13 in passing offense (314.0 yards per game), No. 31 in time of possession (31:48) and No. 39 in third down percentage (.446).

• Miami’s average of 314.0 passing yards per game is good for No. 13 in the country and second in the ACC. The only ACC school above UM is North Carolina (326.7). UM ranks third in ACC in total offense.

VAN DYKE INJURED LAST TIME OUT VS. DUKE AT HARD ROCK STADIUM

• 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 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.

• In the season opener vs. Bethune-Cookman, Van Dyke extended his streak of throwing multiple TDs to seven consecutive games. He was injured last time out versus Duke, exiting with an upper body injury.

• Van Dyke’s streak of seven straight games with multiple touchdown passes ended vs. Southern Miss.

YOUNG BALLING OVER LAST THREE GAMES, EMERGING FOR OFFENSE

• WR Colbie Young had six catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns vs. Duke. He became the first UM receiver with a multi-TD game in 2022 and logged the most receiving yards by a Hurricane in 2022.

• In addition, Young’s 71-yard scoring TD was the longest play from scrimmage by a Hurricane this year.

• Before the Duke game, Young had nine grabs for 110 yards and a touchdown in the win at Virginia Tech. He is the first Miami player to post back-to-back games with 100-plus yards and at least one TD in back-to-back games since Mike Harley on 10/24/20 against Virginia and 11/6/20 at NC State.

• Prior to Young, the last Hurricane with consecutive 100-yard receiving outings was Charleston Rambo, who did so on 11/20/21 against Virginia Tech and 11/27/21 at Duke, the same two foes for Young.

• Young’s 71-yard play was the longest by a Hurricane since an 83-yard catch by Cam’Ron Harris on 9/25/21 against Central Connecticut State. In addition, it was the longest by a Miami player versus an FBS foe since a 76-yard reception by Brevin Jordan on 12/12/20 against North Carolina.

• Young transferred in from Lackawanna College in Pennsylvania, the same school that produced AllAmerican offensive lineman Bryant McKinnie. Young played high school football in Binghamton, N.Y.

EVERYBODY EATS: MIAMI D-LINE AMONG MOST DISRUPTIVE IN FBS

• With 3.43 sacks per game, the Hurricanes rank eighth in the country and second in the ACC. The lone ACC team with a better mark is Louisville (3.57). Just 16 teams are putting up even 3.0 sacks per contest. Miami is racking up 6.7 tackles for loss per game, a figure that puts it No. 24 in FBS.

• DL Akheem Mesidor leads defensive linemen in both tackles for loss (8.0) and sacks (5.0) this year.

MESIDOR AMONG FBS LEADERS IN TACKLES FOR LOSS IN YEAR 1 AT UM

• After a dominant performance versus Virginia Tech at Lane Stadium on Oct. 15 that saw him total a team-high eight tackles and a career-best 3.5 sacks, DL Akheem Mesidor was named Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week on Oct. 17.

• Mesidor became just the third ACC player over the last three seasons to record at least 3.5 sacks in a single game, including the first since Virginia’s Charles Snowden on 10/31/20 against North Carolina.

• Before Mesidor, the last ACC player to notch at least 3.5 sacks in a road game was also a Hurricane, as eventual first-round pick Gregory Rousseau tallied 4.0 on 11/2/19 in a victory at Florida State.

• Mesidor registered six tackles and two TFLs last time out vs. Duke. The prior week, he had eight tackles and 3.5 TFLs in the win at Virginia Tech. He is the 10th Hurricane in the last decade (2013-present) to log multiple games with six-plus tackles and multiple TFLs in the same season.

OTHER DEFENSIVE PERFORMERS STANDING OUT WITH RECENT PLAY

• In addition to DL Akheem Mesidor’s day, other Hurricanes stood out for standout performances: DB James Williams totaled six tackles and two pass breakups. He became the first Hurricane with two such games in a single year since Darryl Sharpton (2009) and first DB since Brandon Meriweather (2005).

• LB Corey Flagg, Jr., and Mesidor both logged at least five tackles, two TFLs and one sack in the victory over the Hokies. It is the first time two Miami players had the stat line in the same game since the last time the team played in Blacksburg, Va., as both Gilbert Frierson and Jaelan Phillips did so on 11/14/20 against Virginia Tech. That is the only other such occurrence over the last three seasons.

• Miami held Virginia Tech to 257 yards and two touchdowns Saturday. It is the first time the Hurricanes conceded fewer than 260 yards and fewer than three touchdowns in ACC play since 11/2/19 at FSU.

A RAY GUY AWARD CANDIDATE, HEDLEY HONORED BY ACC AFTER VT

• A 2020 Ray Guy Award finalist and 2022 Preseason First Team All-ACC, Lou Hedley had an excellent first half and was recognized with ACC Specialist of the Week honors after his game versus Virginia Tech.

• Through six games, Hedley has Miami top-five in the nation in net punting at 44.15 yards per attempt

• The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder is averaging 45.3 yards per punt. Four of Hedley’s seven punts pinned the Hokies inside their own 10-yard-line. He put them at the 8-yard-line once and at the 2-yard-line on another deep boot. He averaged 44.8 yards per boot and logged a long of 58 yards versus the Hokies.

• A sixth-year redshirt senior, Hedley was a 2020 Ray Guy Award finalist and a 2021 semifinalist. In the former year, he was also an Associated Press Second Team All-American. He was named a semifinalist for the 2022 William V. Campbell Trophy honoring the sport’s top scholar athlete in late September.

• The 6-foot-4, 220-pounder from Mandurah, Australia, Hedley is a two-time Second Team All-ACC.

MALLORY TALLIED FIRST 100-YARD GAME, CLOSING IN ON RECORDS

• After the announcement of Mario Cristobal’s appointment as head coach at The U, a number of studentathletes elected to return for their final year of eligibility rather than train for the NFL Draft.

• One of Miami’s most important returnees was TE Will Mallory, who was among Miami’s top offensive performers a season ago. Mallory set career marks in catches (30), yards (347), starts (12) and longest reception (57) last year, while also matching his career mark for touchdowns in a season (four).

• The Mackey Award candidate had his best game yet in UM’s game vs. North Carolina: a career-high eight catches for a career-high 115 yards. The performance marked his first 100-yard game for UM.

• The veteran tight end, named to the Mackey Award honoring the nation’s top performer at the position, leads the Hurricanes in both receptions (25) and yards (349) and has started all seven games in 2022.

• Mallory needs 22 receptions, 398 yards and two touchdowns to set the Miami records for a tight end.

• The Jacksonville native’s accomplishments are even more impressive given the history of tight ends at Miami, an alumni group that includes Jeremy Shockey, Greg Olsen, Bubba Franks and Jimmy Graham.

FLAGG IMPRESSING IN 2ND YEAR STARTING AT MIDDLE LINEBACKER

• Corey Flagg, Jr., had seven tackles, three TFLs and 0.5 sacks against UNC. He was the first Hurricane to reach each of those figures since 11/14/20 when Jaelan Phillips did so at Virginia Tech. The only other Cane to do so over the last three years was Quincy Roche on 10/17/20 vs. Pitt.

• Flagg, Jr., sits No. 16 in FBS and second in ACC with 1.4 TFLs per game – he leads Miami with 9.5 TFLs.

• The third-year player had a breakout 2021, starting all 12 games and leading Miami with 60 total tackles.