News - The Miami Hurricane

Tyler Van Dyke, three other Miami players enter transfer portal

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November 28, 2023

With the current state of the transfer portal each year, there is excitement and anxiety for college football fans as they wait in anticipation to see who their team will be welcoming and saying goodbye to. On Monday, four Miami football players announced their decision to enter the portal.

Tyler Van Dyke

As Miami’s starting quarterback for the majority of the year, Van Dyke looked promising in the early parts of the season, but as Miami faltered in the middle of the season, so did he. Van Dyke struggled with interceptions and eventually was benched for Emory Williams going into Miami’s matchup against Florida State.

After a strong outing in the ‘Canes blowout over Boston College, Van Dyke will finish the season completing 65.8% of his passes for 2,700 yards and a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 19:12.

Looking forward, Miami will likely look to freshman Emory Williams, who flashed in his limited playing time this year. With just him and Jaccuri Brown being the only two scholarship quarterbacks, Miami will most likely look to bring someone in to give that QB room depth. The Hurricanes have one signal-caller committed to their 2024 class, Judd Anderson.

Donald Chaney Jr.

Coming back from injuries that held him out for most of the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Chaney was a valuable part of Miami’s stable of running backs. The fourth-year sophomore had a productive year for the ‘Canes.

Chaney was Miami’s second-leading rusher in carries and third in rushing yards, but in all but three games, Chaney received less than 10 carries. He finishes his season with 478 rushing yards and two touchdowns on five yards per carry.

As for the future, Miami’s running back group is very solid, with freshmen Mark Fletcher Jr. and Ajay Allen very involved this year and junior Henry Parrish leading the group. Miami also has a commitment from the fifth-ranked running back recruit in the nation per 247Sports, Kevin Riley, who could eventually step in to join that group.

Corey Flagg Jr.

Flagg has been a consistent staple of the ‘Canes for the past four years, being one of the team’s leading defenders in both tackles and tackles for loss. On a Miami team that has been one of the best in the nation at stopping the run, Flagg has been a consistent piece, registering 48 tackles, including seven for loss. He started two games this year.

Miami will miss the contributions of Flagg but will still have junior Francisco Mauigoa, who led the team in tackles, tackles for loss and tied for the lead in sacks. In terms of youth, Miami has sophomore Wesley Bissainthe, who registered 38 tackles, as well as several freshmen linebackers who could potentially step up in the future.

Jahfari Harvey

The fifth-year junior has been granted another year of eligibility and has decided he will be using it at another university. Harvey was another part of Miami’s stout defense in the trenches but has been unable to replicate his production from last year with 5.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss, as he finished this campaign with a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss.

Miami will take a hit in the trenches, losing Harvey and likely Leonard Taylor, who is projected to leave for the 2024 NFL Draft. Miami will likely rely heavily on freshman phenom Rueben Bain Jr., who has 9.5 tackles for loss this season and was tied for the lead in sacks with 7.5.

While these names are notable losses for Miami, there is still plenty of time left in the year for further losses and potential additions to the ‘Canes for next season. Officially, the portal will open on Dec. 4 and close on Jan. 3, 2024. How the team will evolve through the portal is yet to be determined, but these losses will be of note as Miami looks to end the season strong with a bowl victory to close out the year.

Remembering the importance of community in the age of individuality

Pari Walter

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November 27, 2023

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Remembering the importance of community in the age of individuality

It’s no secret that we’re living in an age of growing isolation. 79% of U.S. adults aged 18 to 24 reported feelings of loneliness in a survey conducted by Cigna. It’s gotten to the point where, last May, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy declared loneliness the latest public health epidemic.

Humans are social creatures and are inextricably linked to one another. A sense of community provides a person with many benefits, the most critical being senses of belonging, purpose and support which can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. People have traditionally found a sense of community in their neighborhoods, places of worship, jobs, interest organizations or educational institutions. I like to think of your community as the people you accumulate as you go on living.

Murthy credits the decay of institutions like organized religion and extended family relationships combined with the prevalence of social media, societal polarization and the recent pandemic as causes of the crisis.

Beyond these factors, today’s young adults grew up in a time where efficiency and independence rule, and people are rewarded far more for individual achievement than for community involvement.

The recent resurgence of the “self-care” movement has only further contributed to this culture of self-sufficiency, promoting putting oneself first through solitary acts characterized by self-absorption that muddy the line between individualism and isolation.

While we continue to get caught up in the narrative of self-sufficiency and contribute to a culture where individuals routinely “put themselves first,” we stand to gain more by actively investing our time and energy into our community ties and our relationships with those around us.

The U.S. has always valued individualism, but what began as an idea centered around having the freedom to be ourselves and pursue one’s aspirations has been warped into an expectation of self-sufficiency. When faced with adversity, we retreat into ourselves instead of reaching out to others. Living in a state of excessive independence and focus on ourselves can transform into ignorance or egocentrism.

In Democracy in America, French social philosopher Alexis de Tocqueville expressed concern over whether the U.S.’s strong senses of individualism and entrepreneurship would result in a culture of self-interest and lead us to prioritize personal interests over the common good. He wrote that, in such a society, “each man is forever thrown back on himself alone, and there is danger that he may be shut up in the solitude of his own heart.”

Individualism is vital to creativity and progress, and a strong sense of individualism has the potential to serve a positive societal purpose when balanced with a sense of community. There are times when turning to others for emotional or intellectual help will benefit us.

Individualism doesn’t thrive in isolation. It’s important that we all bring something unique to the table, but when we do contribute to conversation, our peers’ answers can serve to further develop and refine our ideas. When someone has the support of a community they can share their ideas and experiences with without feeling insecure, they can incorporate the perspectives of others to create something even better.

As college students, it’s easy to think of our universities as our communities, and while they can be, it’s also important to develop deeper and more personal associations within the complex ecosystem of a college campus. A 2007 intercollegiate study found a positive correlation between forming new high-quality friendships and with how well students adjust.

College students often feel there’s more emphasis on getting ahead and self-starting than there is on building and nurturing relationships or giving back to one’s communities.

When I entered college in 2020, virtual learning was the norm and I couldn’t form in-person connections on campus. Once I did have the opportunity and found the courage to step back into socializing and worked to build a community for myself on-campus, I felt my experience at university improve exponentially. A genuine sense of community among peers has even been connected to increased student retention rates.

The prevalence of technology and the constant connectedness that accompanies it have ironically led to increased social isolation in some aspects. While there is immense value in online communities, especially for people who are geographically far from one another, avoiding in-person interaction has become all too easy.

Research published by the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health in 2021 found that Americans in their early twenties average 28.5 hours per week on their phones, but there’s value in in-person interactions that can’t be replicated via technology.

“There’s really no substitute for in-person interaction,” Murthy said. “As we shifted to use technology more and more for our communication, we lost out on a lot of that in-person interaction.”

Canceling plans is as easy as sending a text and a skipped meeting can be recapped in a four line email. This is only exacerbated by the “self-care” excuse, where people often justify canceling plans in the name of setting boundaries, but in reality are weakening the relationships that will benefit them in the long run.

Bill Gates advised when speaking to students at Columbia University that “Some friends do bring out the best in you and so it’s good to invest in those friendships. And some friends challenge you about things you’re doing and that level of intimacy is great … it’s really worth the investment to have those people, as you’re always there to help them and vice versa.”

Going it alone might feel more comfortable in the moment, but the temporary awkwardness that accompanies forming new connections pays off in the long term. The complexities and unpredictability of human interaction allow us to build better lives and extend the scope beyond ourselves.

Pari Walter is the opinion editor and a senior studying journalism, psychology, ecosystem science and policy and sustainable business.

Zach Bryan: The ghost of country music past is bringing back the spirit of the sound

Luke Sims

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November 27, 2023

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Zach Bryan: The ghost of country music past is bringing back the spirit of the sound

Country music of the past decade is often associated with overproduction, catchy lyrics and shallow messages centered around beer, trucks and girls. This was the state of country music in the mid-2010s when popular artists like Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean and Sam Hunt were popular. It was all about having a good time all the time.

The Florida Georgia Line song “Cruise” encapsulates that era of country music. While a song about picking up a girl and driving around may seem pointless to the average listener, the song was the number one song on the Hot Country Billboard rankings for a record 22 weeks in a row and has since been certified platinum.

I’ve contributed my fair share to those streaming numbers. I rolled my windows down when “Cruise” came on. Those songs were fun and people enjoyed them without having to overanalyze the messages they were trying to send.

While country artists found a simple formula to make hits during that time period, the sound shifted again around 2018 to what is known as “boyfriend country”– sappy pop country music that can be overly sentimental, like the type of music you’d expect to hear over a wedding montage. Artists like Kane Brown, Dan+Shay and Brett Young capitalized off this new era of country music with songs that would become incredibly popular at weddings.

Snap tracks and artificial sounds were the calling card for country music radio while music with twang, fiddles and that “old country sound” were fading from the scene. Record labels did what made economic sense and supplied the people with the pop country tracks that they wanted.

That all changed when a YouTube video titled “Zach Bryan – Heading South” went viral in 2019. The shaky self-recorded video of an unknown man and his guitar now has over 24 million views. A stark contrast from the planned, well-directed, big-budget music videos that country stars of the time were making.

Four years later, the cost of a ticket to see the U.S. Navy veteran in concert is almost $300 and he has almost 30 million monthly listeners. On Spotify, Bryan is currently the 154th-ranked artist in the world at the time of this writing. The Oklahoman’s latest album was the number-one album in the world on the Billboard charts. His song “I Remember Everything” with fellow country star Kacy Musgraves was the number-one song in the world.

Luke Combs and Morgan Wallen have largely been considered the kings of country music for the last few years. Wallen’s album “Dangerous” which was released in 2020 has been on the charts for 140 weeks (almost 3 years) and Combs’ album “This One’s For You” which came out in 2017 has been on the chart for over 328 weeks (over 6 years).

Combs and Wallen make music that is generally more marketable to the mass audience. They fuse traditional country with modern rock and pop elements and sing about the experiences of everyday people. Wallen is known to make more “pop-country” while Combs has kept on the contemporary country path.

Bryan’s music is different. The music he makes is country, but it has a raw, vulnerable feel that people resonate with. Bryan’s stripped-down, simple folk music is unpolished and feels more real to many listeners.

That isn’t the type of music you expect to see on the charts or hear on the radio and the stories of a damaged country troubadour shouldn’t be on the radar of any major labels — but they are.

The way Bryan has been able to spread his message is unlike any person in country music. The country star makes similar music to those artists mentioned above, but Bryan’s following is incredibly dedicated and has developed at a rapid rate. Part of that could be attributed to the vulnerability of Bryan. There are dark things in Bryan’s past like divorce at a young age and a death in the family. The songs that Bryan writes have a unique way of capturing the hearts of listeners and resonate with his listeners more than any other artist. Bryan’s fanbase often has experienced similar things in their own lives. Bryan has a beautiful way of channeling that pain that people love to listen to.

Bryan’s last album, “American Heartbreak” peaked at number five and has been on the charts for over a year. He’s quickly making a case to have his name and his music spoken with the same fondness as Wallen and Combs.

His painful, vulnerable lyrics hit home for people. The single that put Zach Bryan on the map was his smash hit “Something in the Orange,” which has over 500,000 streams on Spotify. It’s a story of a man reflecting on a fleeting love as he gazes at an encompassing sunset. The themes of reflection, love, loss, and hardships are all very common in his songs and stories. These themes in country music were not greatly divergent from the popular tropes of country music during this time. The thing that Bryan changed was the scope in which people heard it.

Bryan was my buddies’ and my favorite under-the-radar artist until he wasn’t. Never did I think Bryan would see the level of stardom he’s at, but his immense popularity is truly a big step for country music. A whiskey-washed cowboy with a checkered past making low-budget folk music is now the artist that mainstream audiences want to listen to.

“Cruise” by Florida Georgia Line and “Something in the Orange” by Zach Bryan could not be any more different. Yet, both songs have served as anthems for country music fans. Bryan has changed the narrative of country music for the masses and is bringing it back to its roots.

While Bryan has some skeletons in his closet, he’s not hiding from his past. The Oklahoma native puts his heart and soul into his songs and that’s something I can respect. All he really wants is to be loved, make music and spend time with people he cares about and now Bryan gets to live that dream every day.

Zach Bryan’s emergence has opened the gate for other independent artists to find success. Instead of big productions with high-budget music videos and marketing campaigns, there are videos of guys in the woods strumming their guitars becoming hits.

Sam Barber, Dylan Gossestt and Charles Wesley Godwin all make music in the same vein as Bryan– stripped-down, deep songs– and have seen early success. I doubt launches like that could have happened without Bryan first blazing the trail.

Bryan’s music is a harsh contrast to the music of the country’s past. The beautiful lyrics and haunting melodies of Bryan’s songs have opened the mainstream country audience’s eyes to this side of country music that they were not aware of. I’ve been alongside everyone else listening to artists with a more traditional country sound. Artists like Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum and Tyler Childers have all made an impact on the country music scene. Those artists have sold records and sold out shows, but none of those artists have gained public attention like Bryan has as fast as he has.

Bryan is just a messed-up kid like the rest of us. He’s not afraid to admit it, and people aren’t afraid to relate. The Oklahoman son is burning a new trail for country music and something in the orange tells me he’s not done.

Luke Sims is a sophomore studying marketing, journalism, and data analytics.

‘Canes volleyball loses in regular season finale in five sets to Boston College

Charlotte Snoonian

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November 26, 2023

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‘Canes volleyball loses in regular season finale in five sets to Boston College

After playing five sets against the Boston College Eagles on Saturday in Chestnut Hill, the Hurricanes came up short despite a tough fight in their last match of the season.

Miami (17-11, 10-8 ACC) claimed the first set 25-18 after some excellent serving by freshman Grace Lopez, who had a 4-0 serving streak, putting Miami up 14-10. Lopez had 20 kills, five blocks, and two aces during the match.

Sophomore Flormarie Heredia-Colon made a solo block in the first set. After a block assist from graduate student Janice Leao and fifth-year senior Savannah Vach, the ‘Canes were up 18-11 on Boston College (19-13, 8-10 ACC).

Things quickly took a turn when the Eagles went on a 5-0 scoring streak, but Miami could keep the lead and earn the first set 25-18.

Set two was a close battle, with the score at 19-19. Two kills in a row by Leao and redshirt senior Angela Grieve gave Miami a 1-point lead over Boston College but was not enough to claim the second set, giving it to Boston 25-23.

The third set began with a promising start for the Eagles, who wanted to keep up the momentum from winning the previous set. The Eagles held a strong lead over the ‘Canes for most of the set, but the lead got shortened to only two points after a kill by junior Peyman Yardimci and a block by graduate student Abby Casiano. However, Boston College kept their lead for the whole set, ending with a score of 25-19.

The ‘Canes needed to win the fourth set, and it looked likely as soon as it started after multiple blocks and a 5-0 run with two kills by Lopez. A seven-point lead came when Miami scored a nine-point run and only allowed one point by the Eagles. The ‘Canes claimed the fourth set, forcing the match to go into a fifth set.

The final set was neck-in-neck, but Boston College pulled away at the end and won 15-12, earning them the match.

Although the regular season is over for the Hurricanes, they hope to qualify for the NCAA tournament. The selection show for the tournament will be held on Nov. 26.

Miami volleyball swept by No. 3 Pittsburgh on the road

Ian Graves

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November 25, 2023

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Miami volleyball swept by No. 3 Pittsburgh on the road

Heading into this match, Miami and Pittsburgh (Pitt) were fresh off impressive wins and looking to keep it rolling. The ‘Canes were coming in from its second sweep of No. 9 Georgia Tech and Pitt after defeating No. 4 Louisville.

Unfortunately, only one of these teams could keep its momentum rolling, and on Wednesday, that team was Pittsburgh. The No. 3 ranked Panthers dominated, winning all three sets relatively easily.

The first set started competitively, and the game was tied up at eight thanks to kills by Angela Grieve, Flormarie Heredia Colon, and Grace Lopez. After that point, Pitt went on a massive 9-2 run, taking control of the set.

Miami did not let up easy and responded with a short 3-0 run of its own fueled by kills from Abby Casiano and Heredia Colon to bring the ‘Canes within four. Following this moment, the set turned disastrous for UM as Pitt closed out the set on an 8-2 run, easily winning it 25-15.

Unlike set one, set two was tightly contested the whole way through. Janice Leao stepped up in a big way for the Hurricanes, logging six kills in just the second set, which was a primary factor in keeping this set close.

The two squads were essentially trading points until late in the set when Pitt gained all the momentum after a Lopez service error that gave the Panthers a one-point lead. The error prompted Pittsburgh’s 5-1 run to close out the set, slamming the door on a valiant set two effort by the ‘Canes.

Set three was a lot like set one, dominated by the Panthers. Pitt’s star tandem of Olivia Babcock and Valeria Vazquez Gomez was ferocious on offense, and its defense, led by Emma Monks up front, was stifling UM, holding its star hitter Lopez to just four kills on the night.

Pitt went up big early and did not look back, steadily increasing its lead throughout the set until it eventually pulled it out 25-12 and the match 3-0.

Match leaders for the ‘Canes were Leao with six kills, Savannah Vach with 19 assists, Grieve with seven digs, and Casiano with four blocks.

Next, the Canes will look to finish the regular season positively before the ACC tournament as they will face Boston College (18-13, 7-10 ACC) on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on the road.

Miami WBB remains undefeated after its first game in the Miami Thanksgiving Tournament

Gates Fox

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November 25, 2023

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Miami WBB remains undefeated after its first game in the Miami Thanksgiving Tournament

The Miami Thanksgiving Tournament, hosted at the Watsco Center, is underway as the Miami Hurricanes (4-0) took on the Colgate Raiders (3-1) in the opening game on Friday, November 24. The ‘Canes, while highly favored to win the game, started off rocky, as the Raiders had one of the best shooting games of their early season; yet despite being tied at the half, Miami would go on to extend their undefeated record with a 67-49 win over Colgate.

The Hurricanes started the game out of sync with 10 turnovers, which the Raiders were able to capitalize on to get 15 of their 18 points in the first quarter. Junior guard Lashae Dwyer was able to minimize the Colgate run with four early steals. However, the Hurricanes still struggled to convert offensively. The first quarter ended close, with the Raiders leading 12-18.

Miami made a comeback in the second quarter. Starting off with a 7-0 run, sophomore forward Kyla Oldacre got a steal at half court and took it all the way to the basket, giving the ‘Canes the lead, 19-18. The rest of the quarter would remain close, as Colgate junior guard Taylor Golembiewski kept the Raiders in the game, scoring five of the team’s seven second-quarter points. As the half ended, Miami seemed to be moving in the right direction, slowing the Colgate offense and ending the half tied at 25.

Coming out of the half, senior guard Jaida Patrick led the defense for the Hurricanes. Patrick started the half with a steal and caused a 10-second violation on the Raiders. With Patrick leading on the defensive end, sophomore forward Lazaria Spearman led the ‘Canes comeback on the offensive end, scoring from an assist from Patrick to put the ‘Canes up 27-25.

Spearman continued to lead Miami’s offensive run, going on to score eight points in the quarter and coming up with a crucial steal and assist to junior guard Ja’Leah Williams. Miami ended the quarter with Williams forcing another 10-second violation against the Raiders, as the Hurricanes headed into the fourth quarter with a 43-32 lead.

Coming out in the fourth quarter, Miami continued to extend its lead over Colgate. Patrick continued her defensive dominance at the head of Miami’s full-court press with an early steal and assist to junior guard Jasmyne Roberts, who finished the game as the Hurricanes’ leading scorer with 13 points.

The Hurricanes’ momentum continued with a strong defensive presence, causing two more 10-second violations on the Raiders. As the game got closer to the end, Miami went on a 13-2 run as Roberts completed a four-point play, increasing UM’s lead to 20.

Even with 19 turnovers, Miami could pull out the win as junior guard Ally Steadman sank the final three of the game, giving junior guard Shayeann Day-Wilson her fifth assist.

The Hurricanes will look to bring this momentum into the next game of the Miami Thanksgiving Tournament, as they will face East Tennessee State University (4-1) on Sunday, Nov. 26 at the Watsco Center.

Miami beats Boston College in their final regular season game 45-20

Aaliah Dawson

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November 25, 2023

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Miami beats Boston College in their final regular season game 45-20

Canes’ came to play today against Boston College Eagles in Alumni Stadium in Massachusetts, beating them in dominant fashion 45-20 and showing glimmers of a team close to winning against fifth-ranked FSU and Louisville.

The strong performance was something Miami fans did not get to see consistently this past season; it came too late, but it was a positive way to round out the regular season and secure themselves a bowl game.

The teams entered the game with the duplicate records at 6-5. However, playing the Eagles was a game that Miami should win and had to win to get a postseason, and they did. After a tied first quarter, the ‘Canes overwhelmed BC on offense with an outstanding 21-0 second quarter and were able to carry the lead to the end.

Much like quarterback Tyler Van Dyke’s inconsistency during the season, he had a fumble and some incomplete passes in the game. But Van Dyke was able to redeem himself with two touchdown passes to Jacolby George and Colbie Young and throwing for 290 yards. The chemistry between Van Dyke and wide receiver Xavier Restrepo was apparent. Restrepo finished six receptions and 117 yards. It was also a stand-out game from runningback Henry Parrish Jr., who had 111 yards and two touchdowns.

Late addition into the game, back from injury, Don Chaney, came in with some key blocks to allow Tyler Van Dyke clear passing opportunities in the last quarter.

Overall, it was an exciting game for the Hurricanes. Two freshman defenders – linebacker Marcellius Pallium and redshirt defensive lineman freshman Ahmad Moten – both had interceptions as time winded down in the game. The Miami bench rushed and celebrated with them after they had made the plays. Notably, redshirt freshman running back Ajay Allen made the final score on a 30-yard run to close out the game.Even though Boston outscored the Hurricanes in the last quarter, it was not enough to come close; Miami was still the dominant side until the end.

This win should give the Hurricanes momentum going into a bowl game to get a victory after a 1-9 record in bowl games in their last ten appearances. To win in the postseason will be the sign of improvement and progress the team needs going into their third season with Cristobal at the helm.

Gallery: Canes Football Fall to Cardinals

Jared Lennon

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November 24, 2023

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Gallery: Canes Football Fall to Cardinals

The Miami Hurricanes came up short 31-38 in their game versus the University of Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023. Here’s a look back at the action:

Junior Kicker Andres Borregales finishes a pregame prayer ahead of Miami’s matchup versus Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

Fourth-year junior wide receiver Xavier Restrepo dives into the end zone for a touchdown in the first quarter of Miami’s game versus Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.

Fifth-year redshirt junior defensive lineman Jared Harrison-Hunte blocks an offensive lineman in the first quarter of Miami’s game versus Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.

The Sunsations perform during a timeout before the second quarter of Miami’s game versus Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.

Fourth-year junior quarterback Tyler Van Dyke hands the ball off to freshman running back Mark Fletcher, Jr. in the second quarter of Miami’s game versus Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.

Junior wide receiver Colbie Young extends for the ball in the second quarter of Miami’s game versus Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.

Junior wide receiver Brashard Smith runs for a touchdown in the second quarter of Miami’s game versus Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.

Heisman Trophy-winning former University of Miami quarterback Gino Torretta is honored with a jersey retirement at halftime of Miami’s game versus Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.

Fourth-year redshirt sophomore long snapper Mason Napper runs downfield to cover the Louisville punt returner in the third quarter of Miami’s game versus Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.

Louisville senior quarterback Jack Plummer looks to the sideline for instructions in the third quarter of Miami’s game versus Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.

Canes fans pose in the third quarter of Miami’s game versus Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.

Fourth-year junior quarterback Tyler Van Dyke evades a pass rusher in the fourth quarter of Miami’s game versus Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.

Louisville sophomore tight end Nate Kurisky evades defenders in the fourth quarter of Miami’s game versus Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.

Players reach for the tipped Hail-Mary pass in the final seconds of the fourth quarter of Miami’s game versus Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023. Photo credit: Jared Lennon

Fourth-year junior wide receiver Xavier Restrepo takes a moment after being tackled short of the end zone in what would have been the game-tying touchdown in the final moment fourth quarter of Miami’s game versus Louisville at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 18, 2023.

Miami to wrap up regular season with road game against Boston College

Charlotte Snoonian

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November 24, 2023

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Miami to wrap up regular season with road game against Boston College

The last game of the regular season comes for the ‘Canes this Friday against the Boston College Eagles in chilly Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.

This ACC matchup is the first between the Hurricanes and the Eagles since 2018, when the ‘Canes took a 27-14 loss in Boston, but this Friday’s game should be a more even matchup. Both teams are 6-5 and are eligible for bowl games, and Boston College only has one more ACC win than the ‘Canes. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal says matchups between Miami and Boston College are always tight and well-fought by both teams.

“This is, in essence, this is a rivalry game,” Cristobal said to reporters. “Looking forward to a great game.”

Coming off a near-win against the No. 10 Louisville Cardinals, Cristobal says Miami has the opportunity to carry that energy over into this week. However, near-wins against ACC teams have been a prominent theme for the ‘Canes this season, with simple mistakes often costing them the game.

“We’ve got to find a way to get better, get back to work for a quick turnaround and go play our best football on Friday,” Cristobal said.

With freshman quarterback Emory Williams out for the season after suffering a fracture in his left arm in Miami’s loss to Florida State, Tyler Van Dyke will look to lead the team alongside lead receiver Xavier Restrepo, who has the second most receiving yards in the ACC. Miami’s receiver room is powerful, with Jacolby George not far behind, having the third-highest receiving yards in the conference.

A powerful and confident offense will be key for the ‘Canes this week, going up against the Eagles’ strong defense. Boston College linebacker Vinny DePalma leads the team with 83 tackles this season, putting him in the top ten for the most tackles in the ACC.

The ‘Canes also have some threats on the defensive side of the ball. Junior linebacker Francis Mauigoa and freshman defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. have had 6.5 sacks each this season, placing them sixth for the number of sacks in the ACC. Junior safeties James Williams and Kamren Kinchens lead the team in solo tackles, with Williams having 44 and Kinchens having 40 this year.

The Eagles have a multidimensional weapon on offense. Sophomore quarterback Thomas Castellanos leads the team in both passing and rushing yards. Castellanos has rushed for 10 touchdowns this season and has thrown 14. He is a dominant force that the ‘Canes will need to take care of with a heavy and intimidating defensive presence.

Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry is optimistic about the team’s skill and potential for not only this season but also for the future.

“When you’re trying to change a culture and you’re coming into a place that isn’t the standard of what it’s been, sometimes it gets worse before it gets better,” Guidry said. “I think we’ve closed the gap. The record really doesn’t reflect how close we are.”

The Hurricanes and Eagles will take the field up north for a noon kickoff on Friday, and the game will air on ABC.

Takeaways from Miami’s loss to No. 10 Louisville

Caleb Shapiro

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November 23, 2023

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Takeaways from Miami’s loss to No. 10 Louisville

There’s no doubt the Miami Hurricanes have heart.

The ‘Canes fought hard for four quarters on Saturday against the No. 9 Louisville Cardinals in a matchup that looked winnable throughout; however, late-game blunders cost them a 38-31 loss.

Miami now falls to 2-5 in ACC play.

Over the past two weeks, Miami has found itself in wire-wire matchups with not only the top-two teams in the ACC but also two of the top 10 squads in college football. There are obvious similarities between the losses; both were by one possession, and in each, Miami had the opportunity for a game-tying or winning drive yet came up short.

If the ‘Canes can compete with the elite, what will it take to be a part of them?

With Miami at 6-5, certain parts of this team’s identity are clearer than ever, some to look forward to and some to be forgotten. These will be touched on in this week’s takeaways.

The Continued Emergence of Freshman Mark Fletcher Jr.

Maybe the biggest upside this dual showed was that of Mark Fletcher Jr. The true freshman has competed for carries on a team deep at the running back position, most notably junior Henry Parrish and sophomore Donald Chaney Jr; however, Saturday was a separating point for Fletcher. The Ft. Lauderdale, Florida native led Miami with 17 carries, two touchdowns and 126 yards on the ground. It was the second time in the last three games that Fletcher surpassed the 100-yard mark.

Fletcher’s momentous run came in the third quarter when he found a hole for a 54-yard race with three Cardinals tailing and proceeded to run in the touchdown a play later. Fletcher’s consistency versus Louisville by averaging seven yards per carry will elevate him.

He has terrific lateral quickness and can change direction with ease. Combined with his 6-foot-2, 225-pound frame, Fletcher is a star in the making. Most importantly, he carries a winner’s mentality, sharing his thoughts post-game.

“The standard at Miami is to win, and I’m just a big team guy, no matter what I do individually. I just want to win, and we didn’t do that today,” Fletcher said.

Late-game Discipline and Management

These two go hand-in-hand; furthermore, they are a representation of the collective effort by both coaches and players. It’s important to include them together because if there was anything more apparent towards the rocky end of Saturday’s brawl, it was questionable decision-making by the ‘Canes, with one mistake leading to the next.

Miami accumulated five penalties for a loss of 50 yards, below their season average for penalties per game, yet the total should still be lower. Late-game emotions are understandable; however, reckless personal fouls with the game on the line is too costly to be reasonable. This was the case with Jacolby George and then Brashard Smith within the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.

Players weren’t the only ones making late-game blunders, with controversial time management also at fault. Cristobal elected to use a time-out with Miami at fourth-and-goal on the Louisville three-yard line which would cost the ‘Canes important seconds the rest of the way.

After the fourth-down incompletion in the endzone, George’s subsequent outburst got penalized, allowing 15 extra yards for Louisville, moving its possession from the three-yard line to the 18. A few plays later, the Cardinals punted to Miami’s 40, and another personal foul was assessed, this one on Smith, moving the ball back to the 25.

These are crucial and preventable errors, which are just as frustrating to those watching. If Miami is to elevate its play in the Cristobal era, it’s going to need more disciplined game management on the field and on the sidelines.

The Tyler Van Dyke and Xavier Restrepo Connection is a Mainstay in Miami’s Offense

A few humbling weeks for Van Dyke, including lackluster performances and being benched for freshman Emory Williams, may have woken him up. Van Dyke delivered an interception-less performance, where he put up his highest quarterback rating since Week 4 at 79.1. He was more calculated than seen in past weeks and completed an efficient 61.5% of throws for 327 yards.

Regardless, questions will surround Miami’s quarterback position until next September; however, it’s important to be positive about what the ‘Canes can look forward to tomorrow. That being the continued evolution of the Van Dyke to Restrepo connection.

At their best, the roommates are the strongest attack in Miami’s offense and showcase the potential of offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson’s air-raid offense. Against Louisville, Restrepo went for a career-best 193 receiving yards, including a 48-yard catch at the end of regulation. It was the receiver’s fourth game of the season with 120 or more yards; this year he’s broken out for 876 yards and counting.

Next season, the pair will be fifth-year seniors, and presuming they are both ‘Canes, they will have the opportunity to be one of the most experienced quarterback-wide receiver duos in the country.

Takeaways from Miami’s tournament victory at the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship

Ian Graves

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November 23, 2023

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Takeaways from Miami’s tournament victory at the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship

Miami went on the road for the first time this season and proved successful with two wins over Georgia and Kansas State to take home the hardware at the Baha Mar Hoops Bahamas Championship. Game one against the Bulldogs was dominated by the ‘Canes on defense, holding Georgia to only 67 points, while game two against the Wildcats was led by the Hurricanes’ offense, putting up 91 points against a Kansas State team fresh off an Elite Eight appearance.

Dominant Starting Five

To begin the season, and especially in Baha Mar, the Hurricanes’ starting lineup has looked unstoppable from an offensive standpoint. Each starter is averaging over 10 points, and four out of the five starters are averaging over 15 points.

“We got so many guys on this team that stepped up and that are scoring … pretty much every night we have a different leading scorer,” guard Nijel Pack said to reporters.

The main jump in these scoring numbers can be attributed to the offensive emergence of guard Wooga Poplar, who jumped from only eight points per game last season all the way up to 18 to begin this year’s campaign. Poplar is unconscious from deep to start the year, shooting just under 60% from beyond the arc, a main factor in his scoring increase.

Florida State transfer Matthew Cleveland has been paramount on offense and has seemed to be the perfect fit to replace Jordan Miller and bring together this year’s starting five. Cleveland has shown he can do it all, finding open spaces down low and hitting timely threes at an impressive clip.

There is no weak link in this unit right now. The Hurricanes are taking turns getting buckets on opposing defenses.

Bench Unit Stepping Up When Needed

While the starting five has gotten off to an impressive start, Miami’s 5-0 record is in large part due to the bench unit stepping up.

“Even off the bench, we had guys that contributed big minutes and those are what’s helping us get over that hump … everybody’s playing to their roles,” Pack said.

One of the few issues so far for UM has been its foul issues early in games. This particularly pertains to Norchad Omier and Cleveland.

Fortunately for Miami, the bench unit has stepped up, with players like Kyshawn George, AJ Casey and Christian Watson all logging valuable minutes in the absence of the starters, even though their impact may not be seen on the stat sheet.

“AJ Casey has come off the bench in this tournament and really provided some really good minutes … how about our boy Kyshawn George hitting a three, getting a dunk, getting a traffic rebound … the bench is going to be vital to us,” Miami coach Jim Larrañaga said.

Bensley Joseph’s Defensive Impact is Vital

Joseph has been a menace on defense this season, suffocating opposing point guards by making them work for each dribble they take.

The most recent example came against Kansas State, where Joseph locked down the Wildcats’ star guard, Tylor Perry, holding him to just 10 points on 4-of-13 shooting from the field.

“I thought Bensley Joseph’s defense on Tylor Perry throughout the game was the whole key to our victory. He did a great job of controlling him because [Perry] is their catalyst,” Larrañaga said.

Joseph’s defensive intensity is apparent from the opening tip of each game and is making countless positive impacts. The guard will full-court press every possession and wear out the opposition, resulting in poor shooting and transition opportunities for the ‘Canes offense to do what they do best: run the floor and score in transition.

After a long break, Miami will head to the notorious Rupp Arena to play its first true road game of the season against the No. 16 Kentucky Wildcats on Tuesday in what will be the Hurricanes’ first major test of the season.

Order Up!: Feast your eyes on John Miller’s delectable pop art at the Lowe

Osvaldo Espino

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November 21, 2023

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Order Up!: Feast your eyes on John Miller’s delectable pop art at the Lowe

Glass sculptures that are not only colorful, but look delicious? Count me in.

The works of pop artist John Miller are the newest addition to the on-campus Lowe Art Museum. On view through Jan. 14, Miller’s work features 35 oversized sculptures of everyday snacks and meals.

With Miami Art Week only weeks away, this art exhibit is free and easily accessible to UM students.

Walk in and you’ll run into giant lollipops, cupcakes, onion rings, popcorn, Chicago dogs and even foamed-up beer. You’ll easily leave hungry if you didn’t come in wanting to take a bite out of the artworks.

One of my favorite and most unique demonstrations was that of the “Blue Plate Special,” a set of sculptures that included a hamburger, french fries and a soda on top of a diner-esque table.

While it may just look like lunch to some, Miller incorporates his love for American diner culture as the blue plate special was a meal historically targeted towards blue collar workers of the sixties.

Another scrumptious sculpture would be the giant potato chips that lie in the center of the room with a stylized “M-n-S Palley Chips Co.” label to honor influential glass art collectors and Lowe Art Museum patrons, Myrna and Sheldon Palley.

The landscape for pop art is more open and optimistic than ever before. Artists like Damien Hirst — whose work is also on display in the Lowe — continue to show the versatility of pop art.

Miller first began to materialize the idea of making his sculptures while working on his MFA at the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. It was during a lecture on pop art that he would find inspiration from Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein and fellow sculptor, Claes Oldenburg.

After learning more about Oldenburg’s oversized sculptures, Miller became more inclined to make art that is fun and accessible to all people, regardless of their art knowledge.

Jill Deupi, chief curator and director of the Lowe, hopes that the exhibit will motivate more people in Miami and nearby towns to visit UM and see the Lowe’s marvelous collections.

Miller’s exhibit joins the effort in making art at the Lowe more accessible. Following the pandemic, Dr. Deupi removed the previous $12.50 admission fee to make the museum free of charge for both individuals and groups.

“The big idea is the democratization of art. It needs to be accessible and fun and needs to resonate with people in their daily lives,” Dr. Deupi told the New York Times.

If you’re in town and want an experience that transports you back to a sixties diner, fit with a jukebox playing classic songs from The Beatles, Elvis and Smokey Robinson, then you’ll love the “Order Up!” exhibit. Not only will it leave you nostalgic, but you’ll crave a burger afterwards.

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Order Up!: Feast your eyes on John Miller’s delectable pop art at the Lowe

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