Canes’ Rushing Game Dominant Through Four Weeks

The Miami Hurricanes’ offensive line was expected to be one of the most improved units in all of college football and four weeks into the season they have more than lived up to those expectations. The Canes’ big men have done a great job of protecting Tyler Van Dyke and an even better job of dominating in the run game. 

Through week four, the Canes rank 12^th in rushing yards per game and 19^th in rushing touchdowns despite being 78^th in rushing attempts. The Miami rushing attack has been one of the most efficient in the nation, with an average of 6.45 yards per carry. That ranks third in the country behind just Oregon and USC.

The Canes are also one of just two teams in the top 20 in rushing yards to have less than 35 attempts per game. The only other team meeting that criteria is Oregon. The Ducks and Hurricanes both have offensive lines largely built by Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal and both rank near the top of every rushing statistic nationwide. 

Miami’s running game is a night and day difference from last season. In 2022, the Canes averaged 128.3 yards per game and 3.74 yards per attempt. Those numbers have skyrocketed in 2023 to 223 yards per game and nearly 6.5 yards per attempt. Just four games into the season, Miami already has 10 rushing touchdowns. In the entire 2022 season, the Canes managed to reach the endzone just 12 times on the ground.

When offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson was hired, many wondered if his air raid system would clash with Mario Cristobal’s run heavy tendencies. Dawson stated things would be balanced and that the running game would remain a big part of Miami’s offense and that has held true. The Canes have averaged 34.5 carries per game, nearly identical to last year’s mark of 34.3 carries per game. Miami’s strong rushing attack has helped open things up in the passing game as well, allowing Dawson’s air raid packages to thrive.

The Hurricanes have struggled to run the ball consistently for years, but a rebuilt offensive line and a new offensive system have the Canes boasting one of the best running games in the nation. If Miami’s ground game can continue to dominate while Tyler Van Dyke slings the rock at a high level, the UM offense will be one of the most difficult groups in the country to slow down.