When 19th-ranked Miami travels to Gainesville to kick off a new season against rival Florida, there will be a frenzied crowd at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, a national audience tuning in on ABC, and plenty of excitement on both sides. There will also be two, talented experienced quarterbacks hoping to do their part to make an impact on the game and ensure their team gets the new season started on a good note.
Earlier this year, Cam Ward arrived in Coral Gables with an impressive resume built after two seasons at Washington State. There, he started 25 games, completed 66 percent of his passes and threw for 6,963 passing yards with 48 touchdowns, while rushing for an additional 13 scores.
The senior was voted the ACC Preseason Player of the Year and enters the season on the watch list for several major college football awards, including the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, the Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
Florida, meanwhile, will counter with redshirt senior Graham Mertz, who started 11 games for the Gators before an injury kept him out of the season finale.
On Monday, Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal praised both signal callers, noting both have the ability to make to make a difference in Saturday’s season opener.
“Not enough can be said about their quarterback. I mean, statistically, he leads the country in accuracy under pressure. Certainly, the touchdown to interception ratio leads you to understand how accurate, how decisive [he is], what kind of caliber decisions he makes,” said Cristobal, now in his third year leading his alma mater. “He’s on point. He’s a very well-coached player. He’s a very smart player, but he is also elusive. He’s got great feet, great body control, [and] he’s got great awareness in the pocket. He’s a winner, you know, and I think now going through a second year in their system, he’s certainly a guy that you have to control throughout the course of the game.”
And Ward, Cristobal noted, has emerged as not just a playmaker for the Hurricanes in his seven months on campus, but as a leader who will go a long way in setting the tone, both on and off the field for Miami.
“Cam Ward has been at different places and at every place he’s been, he’s just gotten better and better and better,” Cristobal said. “Sometimes, he’s been playing from ahead, and sometimes, from behind. But he just plays, and he plays at an extremely high level, and he’s done that since the day he got here. There’s no limitations as it relates to installs, game plan. Sometimes, you’ve got to slow it down so that everybody gets it, but a quarterback like him, he’s so focused and concerned about the team doing well that he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make the team do well. All in all, a winner and an alpha leader. So, they will have a massive impact on this game.”
Coach-to-Player Communication Comes to College Football
When the Hurricanes take the field on Saturday, they – like every other team in the Bowl Subdivision – will be able to take advantage of new rules allowing for coach-to-player helmet communication in games, similar to the way NFL teams communicate.
A single player on offense and a single player on defense will be able to hear from their team’s coach, with communication being turned off either when the ball is snapped or when there are 15 seconds left on the play clock, whichever comes first. The players selected for the coach-to-player communication will be identified by green dots on their helmets.
Cristobal said on Monday the Hurricanes have been working to make sure their communication is “airtight” given the fact he expects a loud, hostile environment in Gainesville.
“The noise level itself, nowadays, you’ve got to simulate that in practice, right? And everything’s got to work,” Cristobal said. “This year, we have the player-coach communication devices, but if you watched games this week, right, you saw a lot of guys squeezing their helmets, trying to get clear communication because that certainly can’t be counted on. So, what happens next? Everything else has to kick in: your wristbands, your signals, your other methods of communication. So, that’s been part of our process, which we’ve worked really, really hard to make airtight in every regard. And then you have to simulate the noise itself … It’s a loud place. They do a great job with the game day atmosphere. In terms of the opponent itself, it’s the most important part.”
Well, if we are back, that means we have learned how to win on the road again and win games we got no business losing, playing Florida or not.
Posted by: Herbieibis | August 29, 2024 at 01:46 AM
If, we got to be back this year, we just got to after all these years. I don't want to take another year off.
Posted by: HARRY MILLER | August 29, 2024 at 02:08 AM
Miami 24 Floriduh 20
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | August 29, 2024 at 10:14 AM
UM 34 UF 20
Posted by: W | August 29, 2024 at 01:22 PM
Can’t wait for Saturday! I’m confident that we can win this football game . Must be poised, tough, aggressive and smart. All the things we learned at the University of Miami.🟩🟧
On a sad note, my darling Richard died during the night. My love of my life for over 40 years.🙏🙏
Posted by: MLALUMNI 1970 | August 29, 2024 at 01:35 PM
Don't care what the score is, don't care if we win by 1 or 100...
Just fk'ing win
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 29, 2024 at 02:00 PM
Woohoo! Big game this Saturday and I can’t wait to see what the Canes will bring to the table! This game would be so sweet to have the Canes best dem Gayturds at home and end their home game winning streak!! Super excited to see them play and hopefully beat their asses! Let’s go Canes!!
Posted by: YooperCane | August 29, 2024 at 08:01 PM
Posted by: MLALUMNI 1970 | August 29, 2024 at 01:35 PM
That is sad, and you have my condolences.
Rest in peace, Richard.
Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | August 29, 2024 at 08:59 PM
Many prayers Mary Lou 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Posted by: KYcane | August 30, 2024 at 09:46 AM
On a sad note, my darling Richard died during the night. My love of my life for over 40 years.🙏🙏
Posted by: MLALUMNI 1970 | August 29, 2024 at 01:35 PM
---------------------------------------------
I missed this when I posted. So sorry to hear this, Mary Lou
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 30, 2024 at 10:15 AM
Posted by: MLALUMNI 1970 | August 29, 2024 at 01:35 PM
Sorry to hear this Mary Lou. Condolences and may Richard rest in peace.
Posted by: DallasTX Cane | August 30, 2024 at 11:58 AM
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What could go wrong
Posted by: KYcane | August 30, 2024 at 04:34 PM
Don't care what the score is, don't care if we win by 1 or 100...
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 29, 2024 at 02:00 PM
Hush yo mouth!
Canes will win by 3+ points or "someone" in Coral Gables MAY get a scar! LOL
GO CANES, BEAT DA GATAHS!!!
Posted by: 58 Straight | August 30, 2024 at 06:44 PM
Prayers and strength to U Mary Lou.
Posted by: 58 Straight | August 30, 2024 at 06:45 PM
Thank you so very much for all of your thoughts and prayers, for my darling, Richard Sabaugh , my love for over 40 years. I will cheer on our Hurricanes tomorrow, in honor of my Richard. We saw Ken Dorsey play up in Syracuse N Y and saw the most incredible throw by him. My Richard talked about it for years.🙏❤️
What do you think the score will be tomorrow? Never been to the Swamp, even when I was at the U. I read, 90,000 people! I bet Sebastian will be careful , when he walks around the stadium.
Again, thank you for all of your prayers and support.
GO CANES!
Posted by: MLALUMNI 1970 | August 30, 2024 at 07:42 PM
Many Prayers Mary Lou!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | August 31, 2024 at 02:51 AM
It's Game Day! Go Canes! Beat The Gators!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | August 31, 2024 at 02:52 AM
So sorry Mary Lou! Saying A Prayer!
Posted by: HARRY MILLER | August 31, 2024 at 04:45 AM
Sorry for your loss Mary Lou.
Gameday!
Go ‘canes!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | August 31, 2024 at 09:46 AM
GAME DAY *ITCHES!
Canes 31 - Gatahs 27
Posted by: 58 Straight | August 31, 2024 at 09:59 AM
So sorry to hear of your loss Mary Lou, we here are family and send prayers and love for you. May our gracious Lord grant you Peace Serenity and Strength now and always!
This is a big game we need to come out intense but under control and execute the fundamentals. If we execute and keep our heads in the game not on the crowd, we can win this one and get a great start to our season!
Posted by: VA Cane | August 31, 2024 at 10:13 AM
Anyone at the Swamp?
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | August 31, 2024 at 12:10 PM
I am home, sad for my darling Richard. But, I will cheer for our Miami Hurricanes! Tough game up in the Swamp. Never been there, when I was at the U.
Go Canes! Kick their ass!!
Posted by: MLALUMNI 1970 | August 31, 2024 at 03:33 PM
No parked in front of TV...cooking sausage with onions and peppers...ribs later on drinking cold beer....
We need to come out strong play mistake free....no stupid penalties offside unsportsmanlike targeting....good solid play on O D and ST....do not have to be spectacular just solid mistake free fundamental football....
its about time 21 years of under achieving its time to step up.....
Do You Want To Win? If you are not sure step away.
I want guys who want to and expect to win!!!
Lets go gang!!!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | August 31, 2024 at 03:35 PM
Gatahas get the ball first. Let's see.
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 03:47 PM
Wally and Noel (RaizeCane) are at the game.
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 03:48 PM
Canes stop them and will score on their first play from scrimmage.
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 03:49 PM
Or not.
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 03:50 PM
If first pass is to Restrepo I am throwing something at the TV!
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 03:51 PM
Or not!
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 03:59 PM
Canes score FIRST! UM 7 - UF 0.
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 03:59 PM
UM Defense holds again. Good punt to the 3 yard line by Gatahas. Let's go!
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 04:07 PM
first O series good...got a break.....Ward has to learn fundamentals...do not throw across the body towards the middle....keep it run get what you can live another down.
Not smart...turnovers on the road kill you...crowd back in it!
Posted by: VA Cane | August 31, 2024 at 04:14 PM
FG Gatahs. UM 7 - UF 3.
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 04:23 PM
End of the 1st Quarter.
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 04:23 PM
Miami FG. UM 10 - Gatahs 3.
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 04:33 PM
Bad play calling. Put 3 wides right, run QB left side. EASY PEASY TD!
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 04:34 PM
So far not to many guys getting open. Mostly tight windows and Crocs dropping at least 7 in coverage.
Posted by: Herbieibis | August 31, 2024 at 04:34 PM
Canes look good on both O and D! I haven’t seen this kind of effort and heart in a very longtime! One her than the throw behind the back for Cam, he looks good. Go Canes! Drain the swamp!
Posted by: YooperCane | August 31, 2024 at 04:35 PM
Dam, Bain hurt and in locker room. Didn't see if hurt on the field or limping off.
Posted by: Herbieibis | August 31, 2024 at 04:38 PM
They have a good D...that big boy 21 is like a clog in the drain between the guards....space eater. Hey Il take what we got....could be 14 0...but hey were playing with some poise....one bad pass and he knew it....we move on....keep playing D...and long sustained drives will wear them down....running the ball and mix pass in.....
"Fatigue makes cowards of us all"
Vince Lombardi
Posted by: VA Cane | August 31, 2024 at 04:40 PM
MARK FLETCHER FOR 6 BABY!!!
But the hero on the play was #11. Watch that block!
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 04:51 PM
VA Canes loves fundamentals and WRs that can BLOCK!
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 04:52 PM
84 great block....Brown 11....beautiful block too...run the ball now pound them...they re gonna have to throw the ball...and we get it 2nd half!!!!! Keep doing what we are doing!
Posted by: VA Cane | August 31, 2024 at 04:54 PM
That started on the 3rd down we did not make...they get a decent return on punt....then do not play D!!!! Bad angles caught inside!!!
Posted by: VA Cane | August 31, 2024 at 05:07 PM
Gatahs sco. Nice blocking on the 71 yard run.
UM #7 and #31 got caught inside.
Nether had outside contain.
UM 17 - UF 10.
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 05:09 PM
Hell yeah!
Go ‘canes!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | August 31, 2024 at 05:15 PM
THIS JUST IN...WE HAVE A QB!!!
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 05:16 PM
I will agree......I think you are right...we have a QB.....he can put it on the money.....very calm...can you say Mahomes like....patient calm!
Posted by: VA Cane | August 31, 2024 at 05:18 PM
Canes score!
NICE throw to some guy named Restrepo!
Posted by: 86Cane | August 31, 2024 at 05:20 PM