Revamped Hurricanes Offense Could Present Challenge For Aggies

A new-looked Miami offense could lead to struggles for the Aggies if they end up starting off slow at Hard Rock Stadium.

COLLEGE STATION -- Texas A&M survived a sluggish start last season in Week 3's win over then-No. 15 Miami. Max Johnson's 25-yard touchdown pass to De'Von Achane extended the Aggies' lead by 14 and gave the defense breathing room. 

At the moment, A&M looked as if its 17-14 loss to Appalachian State in Week 2 was just a miscue of overanalyzing the opponent. Little did fans know, the Aggies would claim victory one more time until Week 12 against Massachusetts en route to a 5-7 finish. 

The No. 23 Aggies (1-0) certainly gave fans and commentators something to chatter over heading into their rematch against the Hurricanes (1-0) Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium following a 52-10 win over New Mexico. Conner Weigman dazzled with a career-high five touchdown passes under new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. The defense — which ranked 123rd national defending the run — took strides forward, holding the Lobos just 2.8 yards per run. 

A&M has made strides since its woeful 2022 season, but so has Miami, which finished below .500 in the first year of the Mario Cristobal era. Both programs looked promising at times early last season, especially the Hurricanes under Cristobal with a revamped offense. 

Like the Aggies, positive changes have come to Coral Gables since the Hurricanes' 5-7 record. Cristobal fired coordinator Josh Gattis and targeted Houston's Shannon Dawson for the same role. Last season with the Cougars, Dawson created a potent pass-heavy, ranking top 25 in passing (314 yards per game) and scoring (36.1 points per game). 

The Hurricanes' offense remains a run-oriented attack despite Dawson's background through the air. In their Week 1 win over Miami, Ohio, they averaged 6.9 yards per play and totaled three rushing touchdowns, including one by returning starter Henry Parrish Jr. 

“They are a completely different team,” defensive end Shemar Stewart said. “They have been working hard all offseason. I just know how hard they have been working.”

In a sense, Stewart isn't wrong. Tyler Van Dyke returns for his third season at quarterback after rumblings of him potentially entering the transfer portal. But Van Dyke is the veteran with reps, he's also on his third different offensive coordinator in three seasons. 

Last season, Van Dyke struggled to create chemistry with his receivers at Kyle Field, going 21 of 41 for 217 yards. Against the Redhawks, he looked consistent in the short game, completing 77.1 percent of his throws for 201 yards and a touchdown.

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 "You're still judging talent levels," Jimbo Fisher said Monday on Van Dyke's consistent offensive personnel switches. "Me on the film watching the other side, it's hard to truly evaluate a guy until you know what he's coached to do.... all I can do is judge his physical skills, his decision-making skills, how he handles pressure and things like that. He's been productive, [he's] played great, but sometimes if you're off just a hair, you can have an off year." 

The Hurricanes also boast one of the younger offensive personnel among FBS programs, headlined by freshmen Francis Mauigoa and Mark Fletcher Jr. Mauigoa started at right tackle in place of the injured Zion Nelson and only allowed one pressure. Fletcher, a four-star running back from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., split reps with Parrish and rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown on nine carries. 

Miami also went hard in the transfer portal, adding 17 players this spring. Receiver Tyler Harrell (Alabama) caught one pass for 14 yards against Miami, Ohio, while running back Ajay Allen (Nebraska) averaged 4.7 yards per play on nine carries. Three of the five starting offensive linemen were players added via the portal. 

“They’re athletic, strong, physical, tough, and competitive,” Fisher said. “It’s a typical Miami team. When you’re going down there into the Orange Bowl it’s fun as heck as an opponent if you like to be a competitor. … Their fans are going to be tough. They’ll be brutal and banging on the buses coming through the lot and all that good stuff. I mean, that’s what gets you up and that’s part of it."