UM Looks To Tame B-C Wildcats
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – The University of Miami has stumbled to a 1-2 record through the first three games of the season. But, the Canes will try to even their record this weekend when Football Championship Series team, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats visit Sun Life Stadium.
For the Canes, it will be a much-needed easy opponent after losing on the road to Maryland and at home to Kansas State.
The first goal for the Canes should be getting into the end zone early and often. This year, the once-vaunted Hurricanes offense is averaging just 24 points per game, which is 87th in the country.
That puts the Canes scoring offense behind teams like Ball State, Western Michigan, and Middle Tennessee.
Miami has had little trouble running the football this season, averaging 184 yards per game, primarily on the back of running back Lamar Miller. The Canes back is ranked sixth in the country, averaging 138 yards per game alone this season. But he's only managed to get in the end zone twice in three games.
More troubling for the Canes is the passing game struggles. Neither quarterback, Jacory Harris or Stephen Morris has done anything to make Canes fans believe something positive will happen when the team takes to the air.
Through three games, the Canes offense is averaging 197 yards per game through the air on just 27 passes per game. That's partly due to the Canes' running game, but also because the coach's confidence in Harris and Morris appears to be lacking in the early part of the season.
The Canes are also in trouble in the turnover battle. Miami is minus four in turnover ratio through three games. Miami is also killing itself with penalties, averaging six penalties for 42 yards per game this year.
All of that will likely change against an over-matched Bethune-Cookman team. The Wildcats, of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, are 2-1 on the young season, but the victories have come against Hampton and Prairie View A&M.
The Wildcats offense is averaging 39 points per game, while the defense is allowing just 24 points per game.
Leading the Wildcats' charge will be quarterback Jamarr Robinson. The senior quarterback is completing 60 percent of his passes and thrown for 553 yards through three games.
Still, the Wildcats have been playing FCS schools and the difference between Hampton and the University of Miami will be very evident.
The game is set to kickoff at 3:30 p.m. and can be seen live on ESPNU.
