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Miami vs UVA Matchup To Watch: Billy Kemp IV vs Miami Secondary

Miami will look to contain Virginia’s most explosive weapon on offense

By marshthomas
Duke v Virginia Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images

As the Hurricanes prepare to take on the Virginia Cavaliers this Saturday, one intriguing player on UVA is junior wide receiver, Billy Kemp IV. So with this, one of the matchups that’ll be interesting to watch will be Kemp going up against the Miami secondary.

Kemp is one of the more dangerous weapons on this UVA squad. Through four games, Kemp leads the Cavaliers in receptions (36) and receiving yards (316), and is averaging 8,8 yards per catch. Kemp is one of the leaders in the ACC when it comes to receptions per game, so you know he’s going to be a main target when Virginia plays Miami.

In their biggest game so far in 2020 against Clemson, Kemp totaled 10 receptions for 96 yards. Of the 68 receiving yards he had last week against Wake Forest, 39 of them came after the catch. Throughout the season, Kemp has 152 yards after the catch, and has broken 10 tackles, which has been an issue for the Miami defense so far in 2020.

Kemp will be lining up in the slot, which means we’ll probably see lots of Te’Cory Couch on Saturday trying to guard him. Couch has established himself as one of the better, even best, cover-corner on Miami’s roster. Last week against Pitt, Couch had 3 pass-breakups. So it would make sense that our best player in coverage, would go up against Virginia’s best receiver. Right?

Another option in covering Kemp is striker Gilbert Frierson, who has improved in pass coverage as well. Having a bigger defended like Frierson on Kemp will help after the catch, with Gil being a sure-tackler.

Miami’s primary cornerbacks, Al Blades Jr. and DJ Ivey, will most likely be paired up against UVA’s bigger receivers, Terrell Jana and Lavel Davis Jr. At 6-7, Davis has been solid so far for Virginia, and was named to the Freshman All-American watchlist, so he’s definitely a name to remember.

If the Canes can limit Kemp’s production, especially after the catch, the Miami defense shouldn’t have a problem in shutting down the entire Virginia offense.