/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4709931/132600772.jpg)
It should be noted from the jump that from a team perspective it's almost impossible to take anything substantive from a Spring Game. Aside from the fact that spring practices and the actual season are separated by five or so months, spring games themselves almost always feature a heavy dosage of walk-ons that will never see the field as well as incredibly vanilla offenses and defenses. After last year's Spring Game, I predicted that Miami's offense would be conservative, featuring many check downs to running backs and tight ends, and that was a game that featured a host of upperclassmen. That assessment— thankfully!— was pretty off the mark; Miami's running backs and tight ends were often nonexistent for much of the regular season, and the game didn't much hint at Tommy Streeter's breakout or Jacory Harris' improved efficiency.
Let's fast forward to today, where the Miami offense— spread across two teams— scored a total of 13 points. The quarterbacks threw four interceptions; they did not throw a touchdown. There is a strong possibility that Miami's offense is not going to be very good in 2012, but the "offense" at the Spring Game today is also not Miami's offense. Stephen Morris, the undisputed best quarterback on the team, did not participate, nor did Allen Hurns, who will likely enter the season as the nominal No. 1 receiver.
That said, today was ugly.
Maybe the best news is that the Canes defense dominated today's scrimmage. Again, it's hard to pull much, if anything, meaningful considering what the Miami offense looked like today, but it would be concerning if Ryan Williams and two true freshmen quarterbacks were able to move the ball consistently. They weren't, and they were picked off four times. The Canes receiving core is probably the biggest question entering the season, and though they'll get some help from incoming freshman, Rashawn Scott and Phillip Dorsett both showed that they could be solid contributors next year.
So, how about some highlights?
Dorsett had a catch and run that went for 44 yards.
Scott beat Ladarius Gunter for a 36-yard reception, although he did fumble.
Brandon McGee jumped a route and picked off Gray Crow.
Here are the relevant stats, courtesy Steve Gorten:
QB stats for #UM spring game: Ryan Williams 15-of-27, 169 yards, 2 INT; Gray Crow 12-of-21 95 yards, 2 INT; Preston Dewey 6-of-12, 56 yards
— Steve Gorten (@sgorten) April 14, 2012
#UM spring game stats: Mike James 15 carries, 57 yds, 1 TD; Eduardo Clements 16-51;
— Steve Gorten (@sgorten) April 14, 2012
#UM spring game receiving stats: Kendal Thompkins 6-45; Rashawn Scott 4-75; Phillip Dorsett 4-60
— Steve Gorten (@sgorten) April 14, 2012
#UM spring game top tacklers: Ladarius Gunter 7, Gionni Paul 6, Raphael Kirby 6, Tyrone Cornileus 5, Anthony Chickillo 5, Denzel Perryman 5
— Steve Gorten (@sgorten) April 14, 2012