Miami Hurricanes Spring Game Notebook
Not only were newcomers making plays all across the field, but older faces looked like they were getting back into form. The Hurricanes' offense was clicking, but not at a rate that should be concerning for the defense.
The Hurricanes had freshman standouts on both sides of the ball, both of whom will be discussed in the following notebook.
Tyler Van Dyke and the offense looked on-point
The Shannon era is bringing shades of 2021 to Coral Gables. Wideouts in motion, four wide receivers, pushing the ball downfield, things are looking good offensively for the Hurricanes.
Van Dyke went 22-29 for 288 yards and three touchdowns. Two of them were to Jacolby George, who reeled in a nice back-shoulder grab from 15 yards out and caught a one-yard touchdown. George had three catches for 41 yards
Van Dyke wasn't the only quarterback who looked good Friday. Jacurri Brown had some solid throws as he went 9-16 for 74 yards. True freshman Emory Williams went 5-6 for 121 and a touchdown.
The tailbacks didn't make as big of an impact as the quarterbacks and receivers did, but seeing Don Chaney take some hits and get right back up was a major positive.
Nathaniel Joseph could be a key contributor in year one
The coaching staff knew what they were getting in "Ray Ray" Joseph. For one of the Hurricanes' most coveted signees in the Class of 2023, he wasted no time making his presence felt in Miami.
Joseph led all receivers in yards with 110. He also had five catches, including one that went for a 79-yard touchdown from Williams. It wasn't a short catch and run, either. Williams fired the ball 30 yards down the middle to a streaking Joseph who ran to the corner of the endzone for a touchdown.
Joseph was the flashiest true freshman on the field for the Hurricanes. Hurricanes' coach Mario Cristobal said Joseph exemplifies what it means to be a Miami Hurricane.
"Ray Ray is a die-hard cane through and through," Cristobal said. "A must-have guy and tonight he showed why. You see the catches, but you should see him block, you should see him throw his body around. The guy is a tremendous competitor and he's an elite, awesome, incredible human being that really has an incredible impact on this team."
Rueben Bain's presence took over the first half
Three sacks, one half. That is Rueben "Hurricane" Bain, for you.
To the same token as Joseph, for these true freshmen's first time under the college microscope, they excelled. Bain was matched up with Miami veteran tackle Jalen Rivers and beat him all three times to pick up sacks in the first half.
Bain's presence was noted by Van Dyke after the game, as he said it was an impressive outing for Bain.
Van Dyke took notice, but so did the head man in charge. Cristobal gave glowing feedback on Bain's performance.
"It's what he did here in this stadium in high school, as well," Cristobal said. "He's got a relentless motor, a ton of pride, he's been coached really, really well over at his high school (Miami Central). They go hard, so he's used to this practice regimen. He's extremely disruptive and he's very, very tough. He does not shy away."
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