DOEN JUST NOW: Canes combine 5-star defense in portal for flip deal done
IT’S MONDAY!!!!
And it’s a Victory Monday for the Miami Hurricanes! Sure, the win came against an outmatched team from Tallahassee, but hey, I’ll take it. Victory Mondays are something I’ve learned to cherish.
Now, let’s dive into this Miami win with a cold drink in hand and a napkin tucked in, because there’s some serious “orange meat on that green bone.”
1) I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating—the defensive line is impressive, especially DE Tyler Baron. The senior transfer from Tennessee is proving to be one of the best portal pickups of 2024. On Saturday, he delivered 3 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss, once again showing his dominance. When Rueben Bain, Jr. returns, that duo will be a nightmare for opposing offenses. Can’t wait to see them in action together.
2) Cam Ward had another solid performance, but it was against Florida A&M, so it was expected. What I really cared about was that he stayed healthy. Every time he scrambles or takes a hit in a game like this, I get nervous. We all know Miami will win these games, but the unpredictability of football always looms. Thankfully, Ward stayed healthy and finished with an efficient 20/26 for 304 yards, 3 passing touchdowns, and another on the ground. Despite some offensive hiccups and leaving points on the field, Miami cruised.
3) Speaking of Ward’s health, I’m concerned about his backup—Reese Poffenbarger. His debut left much to be desired, going 6/7 for just 20 yards and fumbling the ball in a cringe-worthy moment that reminded me of Garo Yepremian’s infamous NFL mishap (look it up if you don’t know it). Fortunately, Miami still has Emory Williams, who was solid as a starter last year. But the drop-off behind Ward is real.
4) How about that first-quarter play by LB Wessley Bissainthe?! He tipped a pass to himself while covering a man near the sideline and made the interception before going out of bounds. That’s the kind of play that could elevate him from a solid linebacker to a star. You love to see it.
5) Damien Martinez is a rare combination of speed and power. When he hits the hole, he’s fast and punishing. He demolished a Florida DB last week, and we saw it again this week. It’s easy to see why Miami sought him out. While the Canes have plenty of talented backs, Martinez looks like the elite every-down carrier.
6) As Cam mentioned earlier, Miami’s next game is a night matchup at Raymond James Stadium against USF. Don’t underestimate the Bulls—last week’s 42-16 score against Alabama doesn’t tell the whole story. It was a one-score game until late, when USF let Bama score two garbage-time touchdowns. This will be a major test for the Canes, and they need to bring the same energy as they did against Florida. (Ball State on Saturday? Yeah, that one should be a blowout.)
Go Canes!