The 2020 season for the Miami Hurricanes kicks off tonight at 8 pm EST against the UAB Blazers at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
The Hurricanes will have a different look not only at quarterback with D’ Eriq King but they will also have a new offensive coordinator, Rhett Lashlee. Lashlee comes over from SMU with hopes to improve a team that ranked 98th in the nation in yards per game in 2019. The Hurricanes averaged 249.2 in passing yards per game during the 2019 season. This trend caused Miami to lose three consecutive games at the end of their 2019 season.
The UAB Blazers look to continue their winning ways after coming off a 45-35 win over Central Arkansas last Thursday. The Blazers are fourth in the nation this year in rushing yards, currently sitting at 233.0. UAB’s strength in their ground game will play a key role if they want to continue their winning ways. UAB rushed for 233 yards over their win against Central Arkansas. Currently, UAB’s rushing leader Spencer Brown leads the way with 3,294 career yards but will have his hands full against the Miami defense.
This season the Hurricanes will look different after defensive end Gregory Rousseau has decided to sit out the season due to the COVID-19 concerns; however, the Hurricanes added Temple transfer Quincy Roche who is coming off his AAC Defensive Player of the Year season.
In a Zoom press conference, Hurricanes defensive coordinator Blake Baker said “Based off film last year, they showed flashes. The expectation is a lot more consistency from those two. Both bring something different. Jon Ford is a mammoth man who can get his hands [on offensive linemen]. Jade is quick twitch, sudden plays with a serious edge.”
Kickoff between Miami and UAB is set for 8 pm EST from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami and will be aired on the ACC Network.
