The Miami Hurricanes had experienced quite the transformation over the course of a year. In 2022, their journey to College Station ended in disappointment as they succumbed to the Texas A&M Aggies with a final score of 17-9. Fast forward to 2023, and history seemed to be repeating itself, as the Hurricanes found themselves grappling with another sluggish start against the 23rd-ranked Texas A&M. However, this time around, the 2023 version of the Miami Hurricanes displayed resilience, determination, and an unyielding spirit that eventually led them to a thrilling 48-33 victory over their Aggie rivals.
The beginning of this intense Saturday matchup bore an uncanny resemblance to the lethargic start the Miami Hurricanes endured in the 2022 game. The Hurricanes kicked off the game with a three-and-out on their opening possession, and to make matters worse, the punt attempt was blocked, granting the Aggies possession at the 11-yard line. Later in the game, in the early moments of the second quarter, Jacolby George fumbled a punt, gifting the Aggies possession at the UM nine-yard line, allowing TAMU to seize an early 17-7 lead.
Memories of the 2022 matchup flashed before their eyes when Tyrique Stevenson muffed a punt, leading to a straightforward Texas A&M touchdown, and the Hurricanes struggled to regain their footing.
However, the 2023 Miami team responded with incredible vigor. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke emerged as the driving force behind their resurgence, amassing 374 yards and five touchdowns while completing 21-of-30 passes. Xavier Restrepo became Van Dyke’s primary target, hauling in six passes for 126 yards, while Jacolby George added five receptions for 94 yards and an impressive three touchdowns. Colbie Young contributed to the offensive prowess, finishing the day with six catches for 75 yards.
The turning point for the Hurricanes came in the second quarter, where they outpaced the Aggies, gaining 183 yards to the Aggies’ 48 and scoring 14 crucial points to secure a 21-17 lead at halftime.
Miami’s response to the adversity early in the game was ignited when Van Dyke connected with wide receiver Isaiah Horton for a breathtaking 52-yard touchdown, narrowing the TAMU lead to 17-14 with 11:06 left in the second quarter. Following a punt, UM went on a drive deep into Texas A&M territory, but the effort was stymied by a missed 54-yard field goal attempt by Andres Borregales just over three minutes before halftime. In a mirror image of the previous year, TAMU’s kicker, Randy Bond, also faltered with a missed 42-yard field goal attempt just a minute before the break.
Then came the pivotal moment. Miami executed a flawless one-minute offense, a six-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, culminating in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Van Dyke to George as Van Dyke rolled out to his right. This play shifted the momentum drastically, and the Hurricanes entered halftime with a 21-17 lead, having stolen the momentum from the Aggies.
From that point on, the Hurricanes never looked back, and their head coach, Mario Cristobal, finally secured the signature win he had been seeking early in his tenure at Miami. By halftime, Van Dyke had amassed 235 yards, completing 13 of 17 passes with three touchdowns. Restrepo led the Hurricanes with 90 receiving yards on three receptions, while Young contributed with five catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Parrish led the Hurricanes’ rushing game with 38 yards on six attempts, and the UM offense averaged 8.9 yards per play in the first half.
Defensively, the Hurricanes held the Aggies to a mere 148 yards in the first half. Star receiver Evan Stewart was limited to just 12 yards on two receptions, while Amari Daniels led the Aggies on the ground with 45 rushing yards and one touchdown on nine carries. James Williams anchored the Hurricanes’ defense with five tackles, and the UM defense generated three tackles for loss. TAMU averaged only 4.4 yards per play in the opening half.
In the second half, Texas A&M kicker Randy Bond managed to convert a 28-yard field goal on the Aggies’ first possession, closing the gap to 21-20 with 9:07 remaining in the third quarter. However, Miami responded swiftly as Brashard Smith returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, extending their lead to 28-20.
The momentum stayed firmly with Miami as safety Kam Kinchens intercepted a pass from Conner Weigman, marking his first college career interception. This turnover set the stage for Borregales, who connected on a 34-yard field goal, pushing Miami’s lead to 31-20 with 5:39 left on the game clock in the third quarter.
Texas A&M fought back with a remarkable touchdown drive of their own, comprising seven plays and covering 75 yards. It culminated in a 19-yard touchdown pass from Weigman to Earnest Crownover, reducing Miami’s lead to 31-26 with 2:29 remaining in the third quarter. Unfortunately for the Aggies, they failed to convert on a two-point conversion attempt.
As the third quarter neared its end, cornerback Jaden Davis delivered a punishing hit on TAMU running back Amari Daniels, causing a fumble and giving the Hurricanes possession at the Aggies’ 31-yard line. Miami capitalized on this turnover with a three-yard touchdown pass from Van Dyke to George, increasing their lead to 38-26. UM extended their lead to 41-26 with a 50-yard field goal by Borregales with six minutes remaining in the game.
Texas A&M rallied with a quick touchdown drive to narrow the margin to 41-33 with five minutes remaining. However, Miami sealed the victory on their next possession with a 64-yard touchdown pass from Van Dyke to George.
In the final two minutes of the game, a concerning incident unfolded as UM safety Kamren Kinchens was carted off the field following a hard tackle. ESPN sideline reporter Katie George provided updates, assuring that Kinchens was conscious and communicating with the trainers as he was transported to Ryder Trauma Center.
Miami faces a quick turnaround for their next game, hosting FCS opponent Bethune-Cookman on Thursday night at Hard Rock Stadium. Tyler Van Dyke’s exceptional performance, Brashard Smith’s electrifying kickoff return, and a collective team effort allowed Miami to secure a memorable 48-33 victory over the 23rd-ranked Texas A&M Aggies, marking a significant milestone early in their 2023 campaign. This victory, led by second-year head coach Mario Cristobal and featuring a revamped offensive line, highlighted Miami’s significant improvement from the 2022 season and sets the stage for an exciting season ahead.
