‘It’s Gonna Be a Physical Game Inside’: Fisher Previews Game Against Hurricanes

Texas A&M rolled to a dominant Week 1 victory against New Mexico. Sophomore quarterback Connor Weigman threw for five touchdowns, and the physical Aggies defense limited the Lobos to just 10 points.

Head coach Jimbo Fisher knows that Miami will present a different and more difficult challenge for his team, as the Hurricanes started their season with a commanding, 38-3 win over Miami of Ohio.

“They’re a great team. We have to play well on the road,” Fisher told reporters on Saturday. “[It’s] gonna be a great challenge and we have to have a great week of practice to be able to get ready.”

The Aggies won 17-9 in the previous matchup between the two teams last year at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. Miami’s passing offense struggled to move the ball in the loss, as quarterback Tyler Van Dyke completed only 21 of his 41 attempts for 217 yards.

Still, Fisher spoke very glowingly of Van Dyke when asked about the junior signal-caller.

“The quarterback’s an experienced guy, been around a long time. He was the frontrunner for the Heisman a year ago coming into the season,” Fisher said about Van Dyke. “He can throw the ball [and] do all the things you need to do.”

While Van Dyke struggled in his last meeting against the Aggies, Miami was able to move the ball because of its ground game. The Hurricanes totaled 175 rushing yards on 36 carries. Returning starter Henry Parrish Jr. led the way with 85 yards on 16 attempts.

As it did against Texas A&M, UM’s rushing offense shined in its season-opener. Parrish again led the team with 90 yards, and the Hurricanes ran for 250 as a team. The offensive line, which features four different projected starters from last year’s matchup, was able to create lanes for the running backs to run through. 

This super-sized unit also received praise from Fisher.

“Miami is a very good opponent, and they know how to run it. Mario is a line coach himself … The line is big. I mean they’re really big up front, physical. It’s gonna be a physical game inside,” Fisher said.

Defensively, Fisher commended Miami’s heralded safety duo of James Williams and Kamren Kinchens, as well as cornerbacks Davonte Brown and Daryl Porter Jr., linebackers Francisco Mauigoa and K.J. Cloyd and defensive linemen Jahfari Harvey, Leonard Taylor III and Branson Deen, whom the head coach described as “electric and twitchy.”

This will be the second-ever matchup between Fisher and Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, as well as the fifth game – with a 2-2 record so far – between the Aggies and the Hurricanes. Saturday’s kick-off is set for 3:30 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium.