March Madness has taken on a new meaning this season, as Miami basketball remains on a roll, but for a ‘football school’ the only insanity this third month of the year usually revolved around spring practice and the gridiron.
On that note, the Hurricanes wrapped up their first scrimmage of the spring this past Saturday at Traz Powell Stadium and UM got after it for a good ninety minutes in front of 4,000 or so fans.
Stephen Morris got the majority of the reps under center, which was welcomed after the senior sat out last spring, recovering from injury. Morris was a little shaky, which has been attributed to wind or a lack of timing with receivers, depending who you ask.
Morris finished 16-of-29 for 166 yards with a touchdown to Herb Waters on an eight-yard third down conversion. JUCO tight end transfer Beau Sandland pulled down a deflected pass for a score in the right side of the end zone during goal line drills.
Waters finished with four receptions for forty yards while Sandland’s touchdown was his lone grab of the day.
Allen Hurns led all receivers, hauling in four receptions for forty-five yards, followed by Phillip Dorsett, who went forty-three yards on four grabs. Rashawn Scott, suspended late last season, was back in action with three catches for twenty-one yards.
Duke Johnson was back in action after his incredible freshman season. Johnson carried eight times for fifty-four yards and in a goal-line drill had four carries for five yards and a score.
Dallas Crawford was second team and got his share of reps, including twelve carries for fifty-four yards and Danny Dillard, who has been praised for cutting weight and leaning up this off-season, had eight touches for eighteen yards.
For first-year offensive coordinator James Coley, this was his first scrimmage with Miami, joining the staff after spending the past several seasons at Florida State. Regarding his takeaway and what the Hurricanes need to do moving forward, it was all about getting the job done.
“Finishing. It looks good the way the play is developing. Now we have to put that period at the end of that sentence,” Coley said. “I love the explosive plays by the receivers and the running backs. Let’s learn how to score. Let’s get strong in the red zone, in the tight zone. Let’s get in there.”
The defense, who ‘won’ Saturday’s battle, had some bright spots and big moments. Defensive linemen Jelani Hamilton, Dwayne Hoilett, Jalen Grimble, Kelvin Cain and Dequan Ivery were all in on sacks, while Anthony Chickillo and Antonio Crawford both hauled in interceptions.
Linebacker Alex Figueroa earned some rave reviews early on after a big stick on Johnson. He was singled out by head coach Al Golden, as were Waters, Crawford, Chickillo and Olsen Pierre for a strong showing on Saturday.