Miami vs Savannah State Game Recap: Canes rout the Tigers 77-0.

After a disastrous start to the season last week against LSU, the Hurricanes took care of business against Savannah State, routing the Tigers 77-0. Notching their first victory since playing Virginia last November, Miami dominated on both sides of the ball, and gave all players a chance to get on the field.

First Quarter

Savannah State started with the ball, in front of a ho-hum crowd at Hard Rock Stadium, and immediately went backwards. Shaq Quarterman brought down Tigers quarterback D’Vonn Gibbons on the first play of the game, and it was a preview for the entire game. In the first 15 minutes of football, Savannah State mustered up -18 yards of total offense.

However, the Canes offense didn’t start off so hot, and looking at the final score, thats hard to believe. Travis Homer fumbled on Miami’s second offensive play, which the Tigers recovered. Then, Malik Rosier missed on a 3rd and five, which brought in the boos from the home crowd.

After that though, it was all domination from the Hurricanes. Rosier went 3-for-3 on the ensuing drive, finding freshman tight-end Will Mallory for a two-yard touchdown, Mallory’s first career score. Miami led 7-0 after the first quarter.

Second Quarter

The Canes continued to find the end zone in the second quarter. An 11-yard scamper from Travis Homer set Miami with first-and-goal, setting Rosier up for a one-yard sneak another touchdown. 14-0 Miami.

Rosier would lead the offense for one more drive, which turned out to be a quick one. On a third-and-six, Rosier connected with speedster receiver Jeff Thomas for a 67-yard touchdown, which was confirmed by the officials. 21-0 Miami

Rosier ended the day 8-for-12 for 131 yards through the air and two touchdowns, also rushing for a score.

Then on the following Tigers possession, an old friend returned for Miami. A fumble by Savannah State quarterback TJ Bell was recovered by Hurricanes cornerback Trajan Bandy, which caused the Turnover Chain to make its first appearance of 2018.

To spice up the Hard Rock crowd even more, redshirt freshman quarterback N’Kosi Perry made his long-awaited appearance. Perry went two-for-four on his first drive, including an eight-yard strike to Lawrence Cager for a touchdown. 28-0 Miami.

The Hurricanes ended the first half up four scores on the Tigers, and it was both sides that looked sharp. The defense however, was the unit that came out the strongest.

Third Quarter

Same story, different quarter for the Hurricanes. Perry stayed in as quarterback and went three-for-three on the opening second-half drive, which included a 38-yard completion to Darrell Langham. Perry ended the drive hitting freshman tight end Brevin Jordan for a touchdown, which was also Jordan’s first score in a Miami uniform. 35-0 Miami.

The Tigers offense continued its struggles which they had all day, and the Turnover Chain made its second appearance of the evening. Miami safety Sheldrick Redwine picked off a Gibbons pass, his first takeaway of 2018.

The Perry show had a dent put into it, throwing an interception on the first play following the Redwine pick. The Ocala native finished his day with one more drive, when he found tight end Jordan again in the end zone. 42-0 Miami.

Perry ended his debut with 93 yards through the air on 9-of-14 passing. Jordan led all Miami receivers with seven catches for 52 yards and two touchdowns.

After a 48-yard punt return by Thomas, Mark Richt put in another redshirt freshman quarterback, Cade Weldon. Weldon led a two-play drive, finishing it off himself with a 16-yard scramble for a touchdown. 49-0 Miami.

Fourth Quarter

In a game that had already been won prior to kickoff, the Canes and Tigers continued to fight on. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Canes corner Jhavonte Dean picked off a Bell pass, taking it to the Savannah State 32-yard-line.

Weldon stayed in at quarterback, but it was true-freshman running back Lorenzo Lingard who finished the drive with his first UM touchdown, bringing it from eight yards. 56-0 Miami.

After several drives going nowhere for both teams, Miami freshman defensive-lineman Nesta Silvera blocked a Savannah State punt, which fellow lineman Scott Patchan recovered for an easy touchdown. 63-0 Miami.

The Tigers offensive misery continued, as the Tigers Gibbons coughed up another fumble, which Waynmon Steed of Miami fell on.

True freshman quarterback Jarren Williams finished the game for the Hurricanes, and led two scoring drives. The first, Williams scored on a one-yard dash across the goal line. The second, Lingard took the first carry of the drive 64-yards all the way to the end zone. 77-0 Miami.

Savannah State gave one more try for a score, but the Miami defense wasn't having it. 77-0 is your final.

Game Notes

• Miami recorded its first shutout since 2015, when they defeated Bethune-Cookman 45-0.
• The Hurricanes defense allowed just five first downs, and limited the Tigers to only 78 yards of total offense.
• The Turnover Chain came out four times Saturday night, two inceptions and two fumbles.
• All four Miami quarterbacks led scoring drives. Rosier, Weldon and Williams all rushed for touchdowns. Perry led all throwers with three touchdown passes.
• Miami’s offense totaled 494 yards, including 255-yards rushing. Lingard led all rushers with 80 yards. Homer finished with 70 yards on the ground.
• Mark Richt’s team committed just one penalty, after being flagged for 11 last week against LSU.

Coming up next week.....

The Canes travel to Toledo to take on the Rockets, Saturday 9/15 at 12:00 pm.