Miami Hurricanes Football: Three Stars from the Florida Game

This game was sloppy, a war, and in the end, Miami couldn’t find a way to win. After a loss, there’s always mistakes to clean up and things to address. The Canes were overmatched in the trenches offensively, didn’t seize the opportunities to takeover the game, and had countless mental errors. The game against the eight ranked team in the country came down to the wire and was full of ups and downs. In the end, the miscues and mistakes, outweighed the spectacular plays be great Miami talents. The stars showed up in this hard-fought battle and their impact on the game would not be denied.

Third Star: DeeJay Dallas

Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

DeeJay Dallas finished the game with 12 carries, for 89 yards, and one rushing TD. He also had 4 catches for 37 yards. Dallas almost averaged a first down with each reception. His electrifying 50-yard TD run in the 4th quarter was full of excitement, quick cuts, and sizzle. Dallas helped the Canes re-gain the lead at a critical climax of the game and proved why he’ll be a dominant playmaker throughout the rest of the season.

Second Star: Brevin Jordan

The second-year star TE finished with 5 catches for 88 yards and a TD. His second quarter TD helped give the Canes the lead going into halftime. He also almost drew a penalty in the final moments of the game that would’ve brought this nail-biter to a standstill. Jordan went into the game as stellar standout and a matchup nightmare. He did not disappoint. The All-ACC tight end had his mistakes throughout the game but he showed up when it counted in this primetime matchup.

First Star: Trajan Bandy

Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Trajan Bandy, the All-ACC cornerback, was a relentless mad man on the field. He made several hard-hitting plays and crucial tackles in tight spaces to kill drives. In a game where it took several opportunities for the offense to sustain success, it was often Bandy’s series-ending tackles that gave the offense another chance to take the field. He displayed his great cover skills with a crucial pass breakup in the third quarter. He was also a solid tackler on a night where the defense didn’t have much of it.

Honorable Mention

Photo by Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The turnover chain came out to play for four times in this game. Both Amari Carter and Romeo Finley had interceptions and Scott Patchan and Shaquille Quarterman recovered recovered fumbles against Florida. Whether it was a missed FG attempt by Bubba Baxa or a muffed punt, the defense was consistently put in horrible situations. And with the offense not protecting the QB or possessing the ball very long, the defense was asked to make plays after quick returns to the field. The defense gave this team every opportunity to win.

The Canes take on North Carolina next week. It will be up to these stars and several others, to put this loss behind us and reclaim the season.