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New Florida legislation affects campus voter registration

Lazaro Chavez
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New Florida legislation affects campus voter registration

Get Out the Vote, a voter mobilization group, registered over 1,000 UM students last year according to former president Antonella Criscola, bringing a new wave of young voters to the polls. But, a new piece of Florida legislation is preventing them from providing paper registration forms to students.

Now, GOTV, and similar organizations across Florida college campuses, are getting creative to keep young voter turnout high ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

The new bill that went into effect last July, SB 7050, introduced strict rules and regulations on third-party voter registration organizations. The law requires these organizations to re-register every election cycle as 3PVROs and shortens the timeframe to submit registration applications from 14 days to 10. It also imposes hefty fines—up to $250,000 annually—for late submissions or other infractions. 

At the University of Miami, GOTV has an impressive history of mobilizing many student voters in past election cycles, and has received several accolades for its work. In 2021, UM was designated a “Voter Friendly Campus” by the Fair Elections Center’s Campus Vote Project (CVP) and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), and in 2022, it was named one of ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting. 

“To comply with Florida legislation pertaining to voter registration, Get Out the Vote (GOTV) is encouraging students to use miami.turbovote.org to register. Voter education programs will continue throughout the semester. Students can reach out to GOTV at vote@miami.edu for more information,” Get Out the Vote’s UM charter said in a statement to TMH.

TurboVote, a non-profit, allows students to register to vote regardless of their state or check their current registration status. It also provides helpful information on how to vote early, by mail or in person.

Professor Arthur Simon, who teaches political science at UM, offered his two cents on the issue to TMH, “Popular sovereignty, which is an essential cornerstone of a truly representative democracy, is strengthened when government enables more citizens to vote – and is undermined when government imposes unnecessary barriers to voter registration and turnout.”

The law also changes who isn’t allowed to handle forms and register voters such as convicted felons and noncitizens. Although it was ruled unconstitutional in March that noncitizens couldn’t register voters. This has led to groups like Poder Latinx and the League of Women Voters of Florida to claim this has caused a decline in their efforts to get students and other groups registered, according to an article by Stateline.

Barbara Casanova, president of Citizen’s First, a Miami-based non-profit that helps people run for elected office, believes the new legislation is good. She was asked about the law and the extra steps these organizations have to take when registering voters like printing receipts to give to them. Casanova said,“It’s one of the prices we pay to be able to carry out our civic duty.”

However, Democratic state Rep. Anna Eskamani, who started the third party registration group People Power For Florida, called the state “aggressive” in their approach.“It’s hard to fight back because we’re up against the state of Florida,” Eskamani said.

For more information, visit Get out the Vote’s page on the Campus Lab website to learn more and how to get involved. 

Maddie Scheier tops competition in Women’s 5K as her Hurricanes place second

Benjamin Gerkin
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Maddie Scheier tops competition in Women’s 5K as her Hurricanes place second

The Miami Hurricanes cross-country team kicked off their season this past Friday, August 31, at
the FAU Invitational hosted in Boca Raton, FL.


The sophomore, Maddie Scheier, flew through the 5K in 17:44.3 besting 75 other runners.
Scheier’s new personal best took her to the top of the podium for the first time in her career and
now ranks as the seventh-fastest time in Miami’s cross-country record book.


Junior, Lexi Arambulo, came in next for the Canes at 12, and the two true freshmen, Eloise
Stuart and Milla Cronin crossed next at 13 and 14. Sophomore, Emma Hencock ran just above
six minutes to place 15th, and just behind was freshman Peyton Dolan placing 17th with a
6:05.4. All Canes placed within the top 35 to lead Miami to the second place spot with a total of
47 points in the invitational trailing just FAU.


On the men’s side, two Canes finished within the top three. Junior, Enrique Borrego, finished
with an astounding 15:26 flat to take second place, and right behind came senior Cormac
O’Brien who placed third. All Canes placed within the top 38 out of 84 runners which allowed
the team to place first in the invitational with a total of 39 points. FGCU and FAU trailed at 45
and 80 points, respectively.


The Canes meet next in Tallahassee to run the FSU Pre-Regional on September 27, 2024.

UM launches new success center to address academic advising chaos

Diana Moschetti
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UM launches new success center to address academic advising chaos

For years, the University’s academic advising system has faced criticism from the student body. Whether the issue was unanswered emails or simply unhelpful advice, many students have not been fond of the system.

“I feel like a lot of the time you talk to an advisor, they give you a one-size-fits-all all plan,” said Dylan Hasler, a third-year architecture student. 

This prompted the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost to establish the Center for Academic Navigation and Success. The new success center is set to offer a more unified approach to academic support and aims to address limitations of the previous undergraduate advising program.

“We designed the center to provide every student, irrespective of their course of study, with a consistent experience from onboarding through graduation,” the Office of the Provost said in an University announcement on Aug. 1. 

In addition to restructuring the system, the University increased its professional staff to ensure the center’s success.

The conversation about making substantive changes to academic advising was started by Student Government’s Academic Liaison Council last year, who brought the issue forward to Dean of Undergraduate Affairs Maria Stampino. Concerns were raised again in a senate meeting featuring Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Guillermo Prado, who was shocked to hear it was such a widespread problem. He decided to spearhead the solution as one of his first initiatives as provost. 

A survey conducted among students, staff and faculty confirmed Student Government’s criticism. The results showed a need for more “consistent and comprehensive undergraduate academic support across the institution,” as stated in the community announcement. 

This lack of consistent support was a complaint of junior studying biochemistry and nutrition major Shalini Brady. She explained that her former academic advisor was not considerate of her graduation plans. 

“I found out that I was on track to graduate early, and I was like, I’m here on a scholarship, I don’t need to graduate early,” Brady said. “Now I’m using that time to go abroad.” 

The new center is set to prevent issues like this from occurring through a higher standard of academic advising. Previously, each school within UM had its own approach to academic advising; now all students are guaranteed the same experience, in addition to specific support within their degree programs. 

Valerie Robideaux, the senior associate dean for student success, leads the center and provides its services through three key domains: Transitional Guides, Cane Navigators and Success Advocates.

Transitional Guides

Similar to what used to be known as transitional advisors, these guides will assist incoming freshmen and transfer students, as well as continuing students switching into a different school or college before they get to campus. 

These guides help students prepare for foundational coursework or the expectations of their new school or college. Upon arrival, the students are handed off to their Cane Navigator.

Cane Navigators

A restructured role, navigators have replaced what students knew as academic advisors. With the name change, also comes new responsibilities — including supporting students from orientation through graduation. They assist undergraduates with their academic needs in addition to their personal and professional development throughout their time at the U.

Success Advocates

Formerly known as success advisors within the ’Cane Success Center, Success Advocates manage educational programs to promote timely degree completion, such as the First-Year Directions course, GPAid and ’Canes Complete.

Faculty Mentors

These mentors provide students with support specific to their chosen field of study, course selection, research opportunities and career goals. 

For more information about the Center for Academic Navigation and Success, visit success.miami.edu.

Hump day? No, market Wednesday

Morgan Fry
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Hump day? No, market Wednesday

Hump day is the opposite of boring at the University of Miami — all thanks to the farmer’s market. 

Every Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., dozens of vendors set up at Miller Circle, outside the Richter Library and law school. 

What’s been a tradition for over a decade has continued to be a campus favorite. From fresh fruit to hibachi and acai bowls, there is something for everyone’s taste buds at the market. 

Here are some of the most popular food items you can find at the market: 

Avocado Toast 

The avocado toast stand spreads creamy avocado on top of crisp sourdough bread. You can choose from a variety of flavor combinations. Top your toast with burrata cheese, egg, bacon, balsamic glaze, honey or numerous other options. 

Poke Bowls 

Who knew you could get raw fish at the UM market? If you love raw tuna, salmon and shrimp, this is the place for you. If you’re not feeling the uncooked options, go for the cooked salmon, chicken or tofu. 

Choose from a rice or mixed green base, and add all your favorite toppings, from cucumber to seaweed salad to furikake. Finish it off with a drizzle of spicy mayo and eel sauce. 

Hibachi 

You don’t have to go to a Hibachi restaurant to enjoy the popular meal. Head over to the hibachi stand for delicious fried rice served alongside grilled vegetables and your choice of protein. 

Consider opting for the teriyaki option or noodles if you’re looking to change things up. Don’t forget to grab their homemade yum yum sauce on your way out. 

Fresh Fruit 

Sure, you can grab produce at any grocery store. However, nothing beats fresh fruit from the farmers market. Stock up on some juicy mango, crunchy pomegranate and sweet Florida oranges. 

You can also get a fruit smoothie from the stand. Just ask for your favorite combination of fruit, and the staff will blend it  for you!

Acai Bowls

The acai bowls are arguably one of the most aesthetic items you can get at the market. Choose from a variety of different flavors, including a regular acai base, mango base and greens base. 

Toppings include freshly chopped bananas, granola, hemp seeds, blueberries, kiwi and oranges. You can also ask for peanut butter or Nutella on top for an extra sweet treat. 

This is the perfect option for a super hot day when you’re looking for a lighter option. 

Pizza 

You can get an entire wood-fired pizza at the market. Whether you like plain cheese or margherita style, the thin crust is sure to make for a pleasant bite. 

If you’re feeling really hungry, you might be able to finish the whole thing in one sitting. Otherwise, bring a friend to share or save room for leftovers! 

Bagels

You may have met a classmate from New York and New Jersey who will tell you there’s nothing like the bagels back home. However, bagels at the market are as close as you can get it in sunny south Florida.. 

The bagels at the market are fresh and fluffy to satisfy your bagel craving. Top it with cream cheese, or make it a breakfast sandwich with egg and bacon. 

Student Opinions

The market brings people together. While you can quickly grab something and go, you can also use the market to check in with a friend. 

“I love going to market Wednesday with my friends because it’s a perfect time to catch up on each others’ weeks and plan for the week while enjoying a nice meal that we didn’t have to cook,” Olivia Haynes, a junior finance and marketing major, said. 

The UM market has also become popular on social media platforms such as TikTok — so much so that even prospective students have discovered the school through them. 

Freshman nursing major Mia Barton credits the Wednesday market social media content to her researching more about the school.

“I hadn’t originally thought about UM when I was applying to schools last fall, but in late October, I kept seeing more videos about the market that UM has,” Barton said. “My whole ‘For You Page’ was flooded with these videos, so I decided to apply to UM last minute. It turns out that Miami has an amazing nursing program that I definitely wanted to be a part of.” 

Today, Barton is a part of the thousands of students that flood the market stands every week. Be sure to support the local vendors the next time you are looking to treat yourself to a special lunch on campus.



UM hosts Overdose Awareness Day Vigil to honor lives lost to addiction

Lauren Whitesell
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UM hosts Overdose Awareness Day Vigil to honor lives lost to addiction

Flowers and pictures lined the walls of the Lakeside Pavilion on Aug. 31 as people shed tears, hugged each other and shared stories to honor the lives lost to drug overdose.

International Overdose Awareness Day takes place annually on Aug. 31 and is “the world’s largest campaign to end overdose.” In 2023, over 100,000 Americans died of a drug overdose.

Members of the UM community joined the Sandler Center, UM Student Health, URecovery and F Fentanyl Inc. for one of the many IOAD events that took place around the world.

The event began with Director Miami-Dade County Public Housing and Community Development Brenda Lampon presenting the Proclamation for Overdose Awareness Day from the Miami-Dade Mayor’s Office and Board of County Commission. The proclamation recognizes the importance of IOAD and raising awareness for drug-related diseases and deaths.

UM alumna Sarah Couper spoke about her son Maxwell Quevedo-Cooper. Quevedo-Cooper died of an overdose in November 2016 when he was 19 years old.

“He was an artist. He played the bass in the school orchestra. He played on a travel and school baseball teams. He loved fishing. He loved he animals, and he was probably somebody of the future, but now he’s part of the generation that’s now gone, and we’ll never know what all those people could have done,” said Couper.

Couper explained that she used to be like many Americans who think that drug addiction is a conscious decision.

“I spent a lot of time being very angry at him, not understanding his disease and thinking it was something that he chose to do,” Couper said.

Couper went on to discuss the advancements in treatment of drug overdose in recent years and her support for programs UM has put in place such as Narcan trainings and needle exchanges. 

“If you had asked me 10 years ago, I would’ve said ‘Are you crazy? You’re putting something in place where people can go and use drugs, aren’t you encouraging it?’ No, they’re going to use their drugs regardless, so why don’t we try and keep them alive until they have decided to seek recovery?” said Couper. 

Couper then read a speech given by a behavioral pharmacologist at a group meeting for parents who have lost their children to drug overdose. The speech gave an in-depth glimpse into the life of someone struggling with drug addiction. 

“We do these things not because we want to do them, but because we have to do them to survive. We become desperate, and in our desperation, we do things that we know are wrong. We do things that we know are not us,” Couper read.

Yamila Rollan Escalona also spoke at the event. She is the founder of Yaya Por Vida, a harm reduction organization. Rollan Escalona lost her sister Yaritza “Yaya” Rollan to a fentanyl overdose in December 2019.

Rollan was a tattoo artist and had planned to open her own tattoo studio before she died.

“She was dedicated to the arts. She was unapologetic. She was powerful. She was rebellious,” Rollan Escalona said.

Rollan Escalona emphasized how she feels current rules on drug usage are part of the problem and are in part responsible for the number of drug overdoses.

“The drug is inherently not a problem, The problem is the policies that we’re putting our folks through. Policies have failed our people, and that’s one of the reasons why they’re not here,” Rollan Escalona said. 

The last speaker was Camille Lewis, the founder of the non-profit ColorNRaw, which helps support the Black and LGBTQ+ communities. Lewis currently has a parent who is fighting drug addiction.

“I was reared to ignore that loved one, but I could not. I refused to ignore that someone because you have to speak to the person. You can’t speak to the drug, You have to love the person without hating the drug because the drug didn’t do it,” Lewis said.

Lewis, a transgender woman herself, is passionate about advocating for trans people facing drug addiction and feels they are underrepresented when discussing societal issues.

“As I did my research for this, there was no research for trans individuals. The trans community is just getting justice for the murders of trans individuals. We’re just now getting publicity,” Lewis said.

The event ended with a candlelight vigil and the audience having the opportunity to share any names of people in their life lost to drug overdose.

Visit @umsandlercenter and @urecoveryandallies on Instagram for more information on ways to get involved in the drug overdose recovery movement on campus.

‘As times evolve, so must our policies:’ Dean’s office updates campus protest policies

Mel Tenkoff
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‘As times evolve, so must our policies:’ Dean’s office updates campus protest policies

The University of Miami has implemented new restrictions on demonstrations, aiming to control protests permitted on campus following the widespread demonstrations on U.S. campuses last spring. 

The updated policies enforced by UM in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook state that demonstrators “may not set up or utilize encampment-like material, …must not have signs or flags exceeding the size restriction of 24’’ by 36’’, … [and] may not carry, possess, or use face shields or masks or other masks or disguises.”

Although demonstrations are permitted at UM, they are regulated by the Dean of Students Office and can only be scheduled by “recognized University organizations and full-or part-time students.”

“On campus demonstrations can only take place after the approval of the Dean of Students Office on the respective campus, on a first‐come, first‐served basis and based on availability of the proposed on campus location.”

According to University of Miami’s Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, the university “reserves the right to use its sole discretion to refuse any request for the use of University space or facilities deemed inconsistent with the values and mission of the University including those events that may cause a disruption or cause danger to the health and safety of others or cause violence.”

Because of these restrictions, during an active demonstration, any UM official who suspects a violation of these policies has the right to request to see Cane Cards for proof of enrollment.

“Campus safety and the safety of our community members and visitors are paramount,” the Dean of Students Office said. “When we address those aspects, others are addressed as well.”

UM administrators began preparing for the upcoming semester this summer by reviewing policies in the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

“We have a history of policy review, as it is done annually,” the Dean of Students Office told The Hurricane in a statement. “A task force was also conducted in 2018-2019 to ensure policies were up to date. A similar task force was constituted in 2024 to review our policies and ensure that various community partners contributed to the updates to ensure thoroughness. As times evolve, so must our policies.”

The Dean of Students Office ended their statement with, “As our campus community is unique, we will continue to review ways to implement approaches that are unique to our campus.”

UM, a private university located on private property, has had policies in place regarding demonstrations before this semester. Private institutions’ are not obliged to follow the same First Amendment responsibilities of public schools, which allows them to monitor who is allowed to demonstrate on campus and to what extent.  

David Weinert, a senior lecturer in the School of Communication, has recently moved from Michigan to Florida, bringing with him a plethora of experiences and a wealthy background in teaching. 

Weinert has taught at both private and public universities for over 24 years, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Syracuse University, UNLV, the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, Penn State University Park, the University of Michigan, Wayne State University and the University of Detroit Mercy. He is also the acting Chair of the Law & Policy Division of the Broadcast Education Association.

Through his experience, Weinert is able to compare the political activism at UM against that at public institutions. 

“It’s a well known fact that private universities don’t have the same obligations, under the First Amendment, as the public institutions of higher learning,” Weinert said. “That said, I’d like to think that university administrators, even at the private schools, support a marketplace of ideas approach to learning for all faculty and students.”  

The American Association for University Professors released a statement on Aug. 14, condemning “overly restrictive policies” enacted by university officials in response to student protests last year.

“Policies, which go beyond reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions, impose severe limits on speech and assembly that discourage or shut down freedom of expression,” the statement by the AAUP said. 

Weinert, a member of the AAUP, commented that it is common for both public and private schools to impose guidelines for demonstrations on campus. 

“We have to remember that free speech, while pivotal in a democracy, isn’t absolute,” Weinert said. “At the same time, … all universities (i.e., even private) are bound, by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, to enforce campus policies in a manner that doesn’t discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national origin.”

Summer of sports chaos: 2024’s major tournaments fell short

Paulina Barnjak
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Summer of sports chaos: 2024’s major tournaments fell short

With 19 major tournaments taking place and streaming on TV across the globe, the summer of 2024 was supposed to be every sports fan’s dream. As summer comes to a close, though, not all of the events turned out as planned. Many problems interfered with the fun of watching the games.

Disruptions across France, chaotic crowds at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium and terrorist threats on Long Island left attendees and viewers disappointed while watching their beloved sports. The tournaments didn’t turn out as planned, detracting from the enthusiasm and fan experience. 

The dream for this summer was iconic sporting events across the globe, but the reality was far from that. 

The Summer Olympics

The biggest event of the summer, the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, seemed to have hosted as many problems as it did athletic events.

A coordinated arson attack on France’s rail network took a toll on thousands of local and international travelers leading up to the opening ceremony. This attack not only stranded fans but also brought into question the effectiveness of France’s security measures and its ability to keep athletes and spectators safe during the Games.

Bad turned to worse when the Olympic opening ceremony was riddled with issues. Aside from pouring rain that seriously dampened enthusiasm, the celebrations were widely criticized. One scene depicted drag queens and dancers seated along a table, which many thought referenced Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Last Supper” painting. 

The Christian community responded with anger, claiming the scene was insulting to their religion. Despite Creative Director Thomas Jolly denying the connection, the Vatican raised concerns surrounding the drag depiction of a religious artwork.

As the Games went on, athletes competed against an additional opponent that haunted the last Summer Olympics: COVID-19. About 40 Olympic athletes tested positive, including Team USA’s track star Noah Lyles. After winning the 100-meter race, he was expected to take the 200 meters, his strongest event. Instead he ended up with the bronze medal and needing immediate medical attention after the race. Other athletes, such as Australian swimmer Lani Pallister, were forced to withdraw from their events due to the illness. 

As a result, fans who traveled from all over the globe or carved out time in their schedule to be in front of the TV couldn’t watch their favorite athletes compete to their highest ability or compete at all due to this unforeseen outbreak.

The French government’s ambitious and extremely expensive attempt to to clean up the River Seine also fell flat. Despite spending about $1.8 billion in the effort, multiple athletes fell ill after their open water swims in the iconic river. Irish swimmer Daniel Wiffen suddenly became very ill and was rushed to the hospital after swimming in the men’s 10-kilometer event. Portuguese triathlon athletes Vasco Vilaça and Melanie Santos also became sick following July 31 and Aug. 5 events in the Seine.

Copa America

Back home, the U.S. hosted the biggest soccer tournament of the Americas, the Copa America. After player’s complained about field conditions throughout the opening games, the fans brought more problems in the final two games. 

In the semifinal match between Uruguay and Colombia in Charlotte, North Carolina, a brawl broke out between players on Uruguay’s team and Colombian fans in the stands. Uruguay players claimed their families were in danger and security was ignoring it. Multiple Uruguay players were suspended and the team will also pay fines up to $20,000. 

Besides the infamous 2004 “Malice at the Palace,” players almost never brawl with fans in American sports. Even more uncommon is a stampede into the stadium.

In the tournament’s final, at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, thousands of fans breached the stadium and attempted to trespass without tickets. Fans were scaling stadium walls and climbing through stadium vents in an attempt to get in. This led to extensive property damage, with 27 arrests and 55 ejections being made before kickoff. 

The Cricket World Cup

The U.S. and West Indies hosted one of the first major international sporting events of the summer — the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup — in early June.  

Before the tournament even started, the Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder said the event received an ISIS-linked threat. More specific threats towards the June 9 match of India vs. Pakistan at the Nassau County stadium in Westbury, NY followed. 

While New York State Governor Kathy Hochel said the threats had no credibility, New York officials increased security and took safety precautions. The increased security, prospect of threats and exorbitant ticket prices created a far-from-ideal fan experience. Nonetheless, a record breaking 34,038 fans attended the game, with the lowest of the ticket prices costing around $500 and the highest about $10,000. 

It was disappointing to see the games turn out as they did. Viewers had a hard time enjoying these tournaments as issues took attention or their favorite athletes away from a match or event. Fans and players also encountered numerous problems at these events creating a disappointing summer of sports.

Correction

The Miami Hurricane
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Correction

An op-ed titled “Tearing down Stanford right now was a costly mistake” appeared in The Miami Hurricane on August 20. It discussed the difficulties in the on-campus housing application process, but it misrepresented some information. 

TMH always strives to be fully accurate and acknowledges its ethical responsibility to fully correct any errors. However, the newspaper often relies on collaboration and information from University of Miami authorities. In this case, despite a full week’s notice and attempts to contact three members of the staff of the Housing and Residential Life department and a media request to University Communications, TMH received no response. Only after the opinion piece was published did TMH receive additional information and clarifications. 

The following are clarifications and corrections to the op-ed piece: 

  1. Comments on the piece received from the Student Affairs department argue that, despite COVID-related disruptions in the construction timeline, the demolition of the Hecht building in 2022 did not lead to a real decline in on-campus beds because Lakeside Village had previously added more beds than were lost.
  1. The op-ed asserted that housing prices increased the year after Hecht was torn down. Student Affairs says “the housing rate increases were one of the lowest in decades with an overall blended increase of 1.9%.”
  1. The op-ed highlighted the large difference between the cost of a double in the Stanford and Hecht dorms and a similar room in Centennial Village. While a significant difference does exist, the op-ed understated the cost of doubles in the old dorm. TMH regrets the error. 
  1. The op-ed claimed that the demolition of the dorms led to freshmen living in THesis. Student Affairs says that is not the case and that “NO freshmen” lived in the hotel. To clarify, on-campus housing has been provided to all incoming first-year students who were admitted in the fall of each year. The University only requires “fall” freshmen to live on campus and only guarantees housing to them. Freshmen admitted for the spring semester are not guaranteed on-campus housing, nor are they required to live on campus. Some of those “spring” freshmen did live in THesis in the 2024 spring semester.
  1. The published op-ed suggested that UM host events or mixers at THesis. According to admin, there is a THesis RA that is part of Lakeside Village staff, and THesis residents are encouraged to attend events in Lakeside. 

Takeaways from Miami’s rout of Florida

Elliot Farr
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Takeaways from Miami’s rout of Florida

It had been just over 10 years since Miami claimed victory over the Florida Gators, a team that has historically shared a rich and storied rivalry with the Hurricanes. 

After a disappointing 2023-24 season, the Hurricanes finished with a record of 7-6 and ranked No. 19. Now, Miami and third-year head coach Mario Cristobal set out to prove that the team on the field is its best in recent memory. There wasn’t a better opportunity to do so than by a statement 41-17 win at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. 

Miami’s performance showed a litany of promise and progress on the offensive side of the ball especially, along with a young but capable defense helmed by defensive coordinator Lance Guidry.

The ’Canes open the season in the win column and now look ahead to Florida A&M at Hard Rock Stadium for their home opener next week. Here are three key takeaways from Saturday afternoon’s big win.

Cam Ward – arriving as advertised 

It is no secret why Cam Ward was considered one of the best quarterbacks in the transfer portal following the 2023 season. After his exit from Washington State, Ward found his way to Coral Gables, where his presence promised to elevate Miami to levels not seen in years. So far, he’s done just that.

The 2024 ACC Preseason Player of the Year made his mark right away, cruising past Florida with 26 of 35 passes completed, 385 passing yards and three passing touchdowns. Ward also rushed for 33 yards on three carries. 

As the new captain of Miami’s offense, Ward is everything he was promised to be for the Hurricanes, which only means good things for Cristobal and the UM faithful.

Xavier Restrepo remains the man

Since his first full season in 2021 for the ’Canes, Restrepo has been a mainstay and a front-and-center name in Miami’s offense. And it’s without question that he reinforced that notion with his outing in the Swamp on Saturday. 

Restrepo burned Florida’s defense with 112 receiving yards and a touchdown catch from Ward, recording seven total catches. His performance included a 40-yard play after a pass from Ward, where Restrepo showed his shiftiness by breaking a few Gator defenders to extend the play.

It’s fair to say that Restrepo will continue to be a linchpin in the Miami offense, and based on his showing on Saturday, he looks set to have a season for the books. 

Though young, the defense is more than capable 

Miami’s largest question mark going into this new season was the defense. After losing key pieces like Kamren Kinchens and James Williams to the NFL Draft, Guidry was left to keep the momentum going on Miami’s elevated defense since his arrival. 

The ’Canes held Florida to less than half (261) of their total yards (529) on offense, while also gaining a significant advantage on the line of scrimmage, registering three sacks on Florida quarterback Graham Mertz and eight tackles for loss on the offense.

The passing game for the Gators did not see much light under Miami’s hard-nosed defense either, forcing two turnovers via interceptions from Mishael Powell and Jaden Harris.

Starting the first game of the year off with a performance like this one spells good fortune for the Hurricanes in the coming weeks, so long as their defensive momentum can continue. 

Miami now looks to next Saturday, Sept. 7, for its home opener at Hard Rock Stadium against the Florida A&M Rattlers. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. on ACC Network.

Mcdonald: Don’t forget about the tight ends in Miami’s offensive showcase

Shea Mcdonald
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Mcdonald: Don’t forget about the tight ends in Miami’s offensive showcase

Hidden in the fireworks show of the Miami Hurricanes 41-17 victory over the Florida Gators is a massive storyline that could make Miami’s offense even better than anticipated. As quarterback Cam Ward, receivers Xavier Restrepo and Isaiah Horton, and transfer running back Damien Martinez stole the show, a big piece of the offense might have gotten swept under the rug. 

That piece is Miami’s tight ends, led mainly by junior Elijah Arroyo; they combined for seven receptions for 136 yards along with a touchdown from ninth-year tight end Cam McCormick. That nearly eclipses the 154 yards, and it ties the single touchdown the group scored all of last year. To further show how little the position was used last year, Miami’s second-leading tight end, freshman Elijah Lofton with 2 receptions for 38 yards, had a better day than any single game for the group. Now this season, there seems to be a change in philosophy within the offense.

It’s just what’s been going on in practice every day,” offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said. “So you hope that when you go play the game, the ball gets distributed like it has been in practice. To me, that’s the key.”

It’s a clear designation that tight ends will be a focal point in the offense once again. Not only does it provide Ward big options over the middle, it expands Miami’s offense as a whole. Now Miami can operate from its bigger sets with two, maybe even three, tight ends and still have that uncertainty of pass or run. More so, Miami can bring them in motion, line them up in the backfield, and put them anywhere on the field. Then, with a simple run fake, as Florida saw, Miami can get any one of their tight ends out into space. Now, wherever they line up, teams have to know that the tight ends are a threat to get the ball. 

The question is, what changed this year? The answer is health and versatility. Arroyo, who was expected to fill the void left by Will Mallory after he left for the NFL, struggled with injuries. Last year he was limited to just six appearances, only recording a single catch. Arroyo, now healthy, seems confident that he will be a real threat with this group. 

“When I got hurt, I was able to take a step back and learn defenses and also get a better perspective on our offense. Also, route running. I feel as fast as I’ve ever felt,” Arroyo said days before the game. 

His return, mixed in with the arrival of the freshman Lofton, has added a lot of juice and life to this tight end room. The two are more versatile than McCormick, who though valuable as a blocker does not necessarily have that receiving upside. Though it might be early to say Miami is officially back as “Tight End U,” it is a promising start for a group that could be a massive asset for the Canes quest to take the ACC.

Hurricanes Soccer Edges FIU Panthers 1-0 in a Close Match

Zach Cohen
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Hurricanes Soccer Edges FIU Panthers 1-0 in a Close Match

Another night, another rain delay, another win for the Miami Hurricanes as they defeated the FIU Panthers 1-0 at Cobb Stadium Sunday night with the great play of Freshman Giovana Canali.  

“This group continues to improve every match,” said Head Coach Ken Masuhr. “Credit to FIU, as they are a well organized and spirited side. In the end, we felt that we managed the big moments of the match and took our chances with composure. Winning at this level is very difficult, so we are happy with the result and the shut out. We are looking forward to another great crowd on Thursday as we close out non-conference play.”

In another rain filled, rain delayed night in Coral Gables, The Hurricanes came ready to battle their cross-town rival, FIU. As the first whistle sounded, Miami came out with great energy. Keeping possession of the ball mainly in FIU’s side of the field. Midfielder Grace Hurren did a spectacular job of facilitating the ball, making smooth passes.

The Panthers did make it interesting throughout the later part of the first and early part of the second half as their dynamic forwards, Nikole Solis and Noemi Paquin both tallied shots on goal. Credit goes to Miami’s Freshman goalkeeper Gray Wilson who was making her first collegiate start. Wilson was an absolute brick wall, making four registered saves.

In the 68th minute, Cane’ Ciara Alacron stole the ball after a bad mistake by an FIU player, near FIU’s goal, Alacron tapped a beautiful pass to Canali, where she sniped a shot right into the lower right side of the goal. Canali ran to midfield, faced the fans sitting in the rain, and threw up the signature U!

It was all Miami from there on and out. FIU had chances but Miami just kept on playing keep away. The back line for Miami, featuring Florida transfer Tori Grambo, and Adrianna Serna did a stellar job making sure the ball was kept upfield all night.

During the last 15 minutes of the game, FIU players seemed tired out on the pitch and it was all Miami from here on out. As the last whistle blew, the players once again celebrated with Mashur and look to continue to beat up on their non-conference opponents. 

Miami will look to make it three in a row when they face Southeastern Louisiana at Cobb Stadium on Thursday night.

Cam Ward shines in Miami debut, dominating Florida on the road 41-17

Jayden Gonzalez
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Cam Ward shines in Miami debut, dominating Florida on the road 41-17

The hype is real.

The Miami Hurricanes opened their season on Saturday in one of the most hostile environments in college football. At Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Cam Ward and the `Canes were unfazed, dominating its in-state rival Florida Gators 41-17.

Saturday was the long-awaited Miami debut of Washington State transfer quarterback Cam Ward, who looked as advertised in his season debut.

“[Cam] is a special, special guy,” Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said. “He’s just scratching the surface.”

Offensively, UM’s talent was too much for the Florida defense. The Hurricane attack totalled 524 yards, while generating 25 first downs and 13 plays over 20+ yards. The 41 points from the Hurricanes is the most allowed by a Florida Gators team in a home opener. 

Ward finished his Miami debut completing 74 percent of his passes, throwing for 385 yards, tallying three touchdowns and one interception.

Halfway through the third quarter, deep into Florida territory, Ward evaded pressure, rolled to his left and fired a 23 yard laser to senior receiver Jacolby George into the back of the endzone. Ward’s dazzling play sucked whatever life was left at “The Swamp” as Miami extended the lead to 38-10.

“It was a really good play by the o-line and Jacolby,” Ward said. “Jacolby George, he’s one of the best receivers in the country.”

On the ground, sophomore Mark Fletcher Jr. and Oregon State transfer Damien Martinez led the way for the `Canes. The rushing attack ran for 144 yards and two touchdowns, both from Fletcher.

It was not all positive for the Hurricanes this afternoon despite the win. 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Reuben Bain Jr. and sophomore corner Damari Brown both entered the locker room early in the game and never returned.

Cristobal said after the game that both Bain and Brown had suffered soft tissue injuries. Although he does not have an official timeline for their return, Cristobal said both sophomores could be out for a week or two.

Apart from UF running back Montrell Johnson’s 71 yard touchdown in the second quarter, The Hurricane defense held its own against quarterback Graham Mertz and the Florida offense. Without Bain, UM sacked Mertz thrice, holding the Gators to just 17 points. 

Mertz finished the game throwing for just 91 yards and tallying one interception. The former Wisconsin quarterback left the game early following a hit from Miami defensive end Tyler Barron.

Late in the third quarter, the Gators were threatening for the first time since Johnson’s touchdown. On second down, Mertz took a shot to the end zone but was picked off by Washington transfer safety Mishael Powell, who returned the interception 67 yards into Florida territory.

In his first drive with the `Canes, Ward proved to be the quarterback Miami had been missing for quite some time. The fifth-year senior was methodical, making smart reads on the ground and through the air. Ward ended his opening drive with a nine yard touchdown pass to ninth-year senior tight end Cam McCormick to give UM a quick 7-0 lead.

Late in the second quarter, the momentum looked to sway in favor of the Gators following Johnson’s 71 yard run. However, Ward and the Hurricanes remained poised and quickly responded. 

In just over two and half minutes, Ward completed three passes for 61 yards, capping off the drive with a 24 yard touchdown grab from senior wideout Xavier Restrepo. At the half, the Hurricanes lead stood at 24-10.

Ward quickly built a connection with Restrepo this afternoon, something that Hurricane fans can expect to continue for the rest of the season. Restrepo finished the afternoon with seven catches for 112 yards and one touchdown.

Coming out of halftime, Miami continued their relentless attack on the Gators. On the third play of the drive, Ward hit Restrepo for a quick gain, but the wideout created space for himself and turned a first down into a 40 yard gain. 

The following play, Fletcher caught a pass in open space, getting 22 yards himself. The running back finished the drive with a one yard leap into the endzone, giving Miami a 21 point lead.

Miami’s win over Florida is a confidence booster to a program that is searching for its first ACC championship appearance since 2017. With the new 12-team College Football Playoff, many believe the Hurricanes have a legitimate chance to qualify for the first time in program history.

Miami will play its home opener on Saturday against the Florida A&M Rattlers. Kickoff at Hard Rock Stadium is set for 6 p.m.

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