Takeaways From Miami’s 41-7 Win Over Temple

Miami improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2017 with its win over Temple. The Hurricanes have also scored 38 points or more in their first four games for the first time since 2002.

Here are five takeaways from the game.

Reliance on the run game

Because of the inclement weather caused by Tropical Storm Ophelia, the field conditions for Saturday’s contest were poor. This is likely one of the reasons why Miami leaned so heavily on its rushing attack, which was excellent.

Led by a career-high 139 yards and two touchdowns from Henry Parrish Jr., UM’s runners combined for a season-high 323 yards on 42 carries. Donald Chaney Jr., who notched his first career start, added another 61 yards. Freshmen Mark Fletcher Jr. and Chris Johnson Jr. rushed for 51 and 33 yards, respectively.

Tyler Van Dyke continues hot streak

Van Dyke entered the weekend with the highest quarterback rating in the ACC, and he maintained this high level of play against the Owls.

The fourth-year quarterback threw 17 completions on 24 attempts for 220 yards and three touchdowns, two of which were to Xavier Restrepo. He also showed off his mobility on a career-high 37-yard run on UM’s first offensive drive of the game.

Van Dyke has thrown for 1,042 yards, 11 touchdowns and just one interception this season, cementing himself as a candidate for conference and national awards entering ACC play.

Te’Cory Couch shines

Couch has dealt with a lot of instability throughout his collegiate career. The fifth-year defensive back has been coached up by four different coordinators and three position coaches. 

In his second season with secondary coach Jahmile Addae and first under Lance Guidry, Couch is having a breakout campaign.

The South Florida native picked off Temple quarterback E.J. Warner twice, bringing Couch’s takeaway total this year to three. He did make one reckless play by gambling on a pass from Warner to Amad Anderson Jr. that resulted in a 46-yard gain. 

Secondary struggles in the first half

Couch’s gamble was one of several instances where Miami’s secondary was gashed in the first half. 

Warner completed 15 of his 22 passes for 194 yards during the opening half. Four of these completions came on chunk plays of 15 yards or more.

The Hurricanes will have to shore up this area of their defense during their upcoming bye week. Once play resumes, they will face formidable passing offenses in Georgia Tech and North Carolina in back-to-back weeks.

Run defense was stout

Questions were raised before the season about Miami’s run defense, as the Hurricanes lost defensive lineman Darrell Jackson Jr., who was their primary run stopper in 2022, to the transfer portal. 

Through the four games of the year, this might be the Hurricanes’ biggest strength.

Miami’s run defense suffocated its first three opponents of the season, and the same was true against the Owls. Temple ran for just 11 yards on 16 carries, and its longest run of the game was for eight yards.