Entering the 2020 campaign, Miami was an intriguing team due to the arrival of new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, talented transfers D’Eriq King (Houston), Quincy Roche (Temple), Jaelen Phillips (UCLA) and Jose Borregales (Florida International) and the return of a strong nucleus on defense.
Saturday night in Louisville, all the aforementioned additions, plus the Miami D, played a significant role in the Hurricanes convincing 47-34 road win over the Cardinals (1-1, 0-1 ACC). And it’s also the reason why Miami is this week’s Lindy’s Team of the Week.
King, a dynamic dual-threat, operated Lashlee’s up-tempo offense to near perfection in his second game as a member of the Hurricanes. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound senior completed 18 of 30 passes for 325 yards and three touchdowns en route to being named the ACC Quarterback of the Week.
Safety Bubba Bolden, who transferred to Miami from USC last year, had a career-high 11 tackles, including one for loss, to pace the Hurricanes (2-0, 1-0 ACC) defensively. He was named the ACC Defensive Back of the Week for his efforts.
New starting kicker Jose Borregales, who nailed 50 of 65 field goals in three years with the Panthers, set a new Cardinals Stadium record by nailing a 57-yard field goal in the second quarter. He also nailed field goals of 48, 22 and 40 yards and was named the ACC Specialist of the Week.
Miami tailback Cam’Ron Harris sparked the Canes ground attack by rushing for 134 yards and a score on nine carries. Tight end Brevin Jordan led the Hurricanes in catches (7) and receptions (120) and also added a receiving score. Linebacker Zach McCloud had nine tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Roche added three tackles, including 2.5 for loss.
“It feels really good to be 1-0,” head coach Manny Diaz said after the victory. “Everything we thought about Louisville before the game turned out to be true. Very dangerous football team; that offense creates so many problems for you. I’m just so proud of the way that we persevered through.”
