Film Review: Miami 38 – Syracuse 10
The Miami Hurricanes delivered a methodical 38-10 Homecoming victory over the Syracuse Orange at Hard Rock Stadium, a performance that, while ultimately comfortable, revealed layers of strategic nuance and individual brilliance worthy of deeper analysis. Entering as heavy favorites, Miami’s eventual dominance was not immediate; they started slowly, leaning on a beleaguered Syracuse squad before decisively winning the crucial middle-eight minutes surrounding halftime.The game’s foundational story was written in the trenches and on the money downs. Defensively, the 'Canes executed their primary key to victory flawlessly, refusing to allow the explosive play and forcing the Orange to sustain drives—a task they proved incapable of accomplishing against Miami’s starters, particularly with backup quarterback Rickie Collins under center.Collins, who averaged a paltry 3. 4 yards per pass attempt and threw two interceptions, was a stark contrast to the injured Steve Angeli, whose absence rendered Syracuse’s offense pedestrian at best.One of those picks became a Keionte Scott pick-six, a testament to the do-everything safety’s burgeoning NFL draft stock, as he also added a sack and a tackle for loss in a display reminiscent of a young Tyrann Mathieu. On the other side of the ball, Miami quarterback Carson Beck efficiently got back on track, completing 18-of-24 passes for an average of 10.3 yards per attempt with one throwing touchdown and, most critically, zero turnovers. His day was punctuated by a brilliantly designed trick play—a throwback screen that he caught for a receiving touchdown, a play that showcased offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson's willingness to open the playbook, even if some questioned saving such creativity for a more formidable opponent like NC State.The ground game found its rhythm not with starter Jordan Lyle, who managed a meager 2. 4 yards per carry and was culpable on a sack, but with Gerald Pringle, who injected life with 7.9 yards per touch and a touchdown, potentially seizing the primary backup role. Analytically, the game was won in two decisive categories: turnovers and discipline.Syracuse’s three giveaways against Miami’s zero provided a direct pipeline to points, while the Orange’s 65 penalty yards compared to Miami’s 54 further highlighted a gap in execution and focus. The Hurricanes' defensive line, led by Akheem Mesidor’s 1.5 sacks and 3. 5 tackles for loss, feasted on a overmatched Syracuse offensive line, totaling seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss.While Syracuse found some success on the ground, averaging a respectable 5. 5 yards per carry across their top three backs, it was a hollow achievement without a passing threat to keep the Miami defense honest.This victory, while expected, serves as a vital confidence-builder for Beck and the offense, but the film will reveal concerning details—lapses in pass protection and occasional shaky run fits—that a more potent opponent like the incoming NC State Wolfpack will eagerly exploit. Every week is now a single-elimination trial in the pursuit of a College Football Playoff berth, and while Miami took care of business, the path ahead demands a level of consistency and sharpness that was only partially demonstrated in this Homecoming rout.
#Miami Hurricanes
#Syracuse Orange
#college football
#game analysis
#Carson Beck
#Keionte Scott
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