State of the Canes: Post-Duke Breakdown

The Miami Hurricanes improved to 9-0 after defeating former Canes Head Coach Manny Diaz and the Duke Blue Devils this past Saturday. Despite trailing 28-17, the Canes roared back with a 36-point explosion in the second half to secure a decisive victory. Now, nine weeks into the season, Miami holds a commanding position as the only undefeated team in the ACC, especially after #18 Pittsburgh lost to #20 SMU and #11 Clemson suffered its second loss of the season to Louisville. With each win, Miami’s playoff hopes grow stronger, and as the team heads into the season’s final stretch, players on both sides of the ball continue to step up. Here’s a look at who shined, where improvements are needed, and what lies ahead for the Canes.

The Good

Cam Ward – His Heisman “CAM-paign” continues marching on at full speed. Ward threw for 400 yards and five touchdown passes yesterday, tying Steve Walsh for the most touchdown passes in program history. For the season, Ward has 3,146 passing yards, 29 touchdowns with only six interceptions, and a 91.7 QBR. He also has four rushing touchdowns, bringing his total to 33 on the year and setting a new single-season touchdown record. Ward is a legitimate superstar and continues to make a case for being the best player in the nation and, at worst, a top-two pick in the NFL draft.

Xavier Restrepo – When all is said and done, Xavier Restrepo will go down as one of the best wide receivers in program history. He is currently the best slot receiver in the nation, and if he doesn’t go in the first round of the NFL draft, many teams will regret passing on him. Restrepo is simply a playmaker; yesterday, he had another incredible game with eight receptions, 146 yards, and three touchdowns. For the season, Restrepo has 51 receptions, 856 yards, and nine touchdowns. He’s on track to surpass 1,000 receiving yards and hit double-digit touchdowns. Yesterday, he set two Miami Hurricane records: #1 in both receptions and receiving yards in a single game. Restrepo will go down as a Miami Hurricanes legend and deserves to be ranked as a top-five wide receiver in program history.

Jacolby George – What a game for Jacolby George. George gave Miami an eight-point lead when Ward threw a 49-yard bomb that ended in a touchdown. He finished the day with four receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown and is on pace for another solid season finish with 31 receptions, 428 yards, and five touchdowns.

Canes Running Back Room – Mark Fletcher led the way with 12 carries for 65 yards (5.4 YPC) and a touchdown, while Damien Martinez had 11 rushes for 66 yards (6.0 YPC). The Canes have a powerful one-two punch that continues to wear down opponents on the ground.

Francisco Mauigoa – Mauigoa had one of his best games this season with nine total tackles, including two tackles for loss.

OJ Frederique – The definition of a lockdown corner. Miami’s best cornerback is a three-star true freshman who finished with one interception and two pass deflections. Miami’s secondary has struggled this year, but OJ Frederique has locked down his side of the field. He earned the third-highest defensive grade on the team with a PFF grade of 77.7, including a 78.2 coverage grade.

Bobby Pruitt – Pruitt is another true freshman with a bright future at the University of Miami. He had a key fumble recovery in the fourth quarter to help secure the win and added two tackles. Pruitt had the highest overall defensive grade on the team with an 81.7 defensive grade, including an 80.8 tackling grade.

The Bad
The Secondary – Miami’s defense allowed Duke to score 31 points and rack up 405 yards of total offense. The Blue Devils took a 28-17 lead with 10 minutes left in the third quarter, marking the first time this season they scored over 28 points. While Miami’s defense adjusted in the second half, it’s clear that the secondary needs improvement. Outside of OJ Frederique, Miami’s secondary is a liability that could hold back the Canes from reaching their full potential. To make matters worse, Jadais Richard, who recorded one pass deflection, five tackles, and an interception, was lost to injury. Miami’s cornerbacks are struggling in man coverage, and it could cost them a key game. Damari Brown’s return should help, but if he’s not back by the Georgia Tech game, Defensive Coordinator Lance Guidry might consider adjustments. Moving Meesh Powell to the nickel spot, where he’s familiar, and allowing Zaquan Patterson (who had three tackles yesterday) to start at safety could improve the secondary’s performance.

Cam Ward’s Forced Interceptions – It’s tough to criticize the best player in the nation, but Ward needs to learn when to throw the ball away rather than forcing throws across his body into heavy coverage. He threw a poor interception that could have been a pick-six had Duke’s defender not tripped. Ward’s gunslinger mentality is appealing, but NFL teams may view his tendency to force throws negatively. If he learns to throw the ball away when necessary, it would elevate his game further. His occasional reckless decisions are why he might not be the first overall pick.

Outlook

Miami is 9-0 for the first time since 2017 and boasts a championship-caliber offense. Young freshmen players like Bobby Pruitt, Zaquan Patterson, Elija Lofton, OJ Frederique and Booker Pickett (who recorded a sack) are stepping up, and Cristobal’s vision of a championship team is being realized, propelled by the nation’s best player, Cam Ward. The Canes have the talent to win the ACC and potentially make a deep playoff run. To do so, they’ll need Damari Brown healthy to complement OJ Frederique and stabilize the secondary. They’ll also need Meesh Powell to secure the nickel role and for Zaquan Patterson to perform consistently at safety. These adjustments, while demanding for young players, could transform Miami’s defense from a weakness into a respectable unit. With a solid defense, the Canes might find themselves competing for the National Championship in January.

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