Tyler Van Dyke throws new career high 5 TDs in win over Aggies

Tyler Van Dyke Aggies

Photo by Edwin Garcia


Miami, Florida –In arguably the best performance of his college career Tyler Van Dyke found the endzone five times as part of a 48-33 win over the Aggies. Generating 374 yards in the air, Van Dyke threw zero interceptions completing 21 of 30 passes in a game marred in the fourth quarter by an injury scare. Kamren Kinchens went down after a late-game hit to the upper body. He was carted off the field and airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital. In the post-game presser Coach Mario Cristobal reported that he was in stable condition.

The victory is Miami’s first over an SEC opponent since 2013 (Florida Gators) snapping a five-game losing skid. A perfect 4-for-4 in the red zone the Hurricanes rallied down 17-7 in the second quarter to take the lead at the half. An advantage they would not relinquish showcasing Shannon Dawson’s Air Raid offense.

Van Dyke wasn’t the only standout. Xavier Restrepo caught six passes for 126 yards while Colbie Young nabbed just as many for 75 yards and a touchdown. The top receiver, however, was Jacolby George who played the best game of his college stint recording five catches for 94 yards and three TDs despite a costly mistake resulting in a fumble on a punt return.

Both the reception yards and touchdowns are new career highs. Defensive coordinator Lance Guidry has plenty to smile about with the team producing three takeaways. In sharp contrast to week 1, the Canes leaned heavily on the pass with only 77 rushing yards totaling 451 yards of offense.  The combined effort overcame initial struggles on special teams and 10 penalties committed (some questionable) costing 115 yards.

Air Raid

It was a rough start for the Hurricanes. UM’s first drive ended in a three and out with Dylan Joyce’s punt getting tipped. The Aggies began their first possession at Miami’s 15-yard line converting on the opportunity with a touchdown. Down 10-0 late in the first quarter, Miami’s offense came to life starting with a big 48-yard connection to Restrepo. TVD found Young to put the Canes on the scoreboard.
The special teams unit committed a huge aforementioned mistake when George muffed the punt return resulting in a lost possession. Texas A&M recovered the football punishing the Hurricanes with a two-play touchdown drive via an Amari Daniels 9-yard TD rush. Miami responded with some aerial action. Van Dyke dropped a dime to Isaiah Horton who shook off his defender for the impressive morale-boosting 52-yard touchdown.

With less than a minute left in the half, Shannon Dawson’s air raid really took off. Van Dyke demonstrated his quality arm with three impactful throws. First, he spiraled it to Young for the 32-yard completion. Then TVD targeted Restrepo for another 19 yards before hitting George for the go-ahead 11-yard strike.

Keeping up the pressure

After the Aggies were held to a 28-yard field to start the third quarter, Brashard Smith took it to the house with a 98-yard kickoff return making it 28-20 Hurricanes. Miami nearly put six more on the board when Van Dyke fired to a wide-open George in the endzone only to see him drop it. Regardless, the Canes added some insurance thanks to a 34-yard field goal from Andy Borregales late in the period.
The defense, meanwhile, clamped down with two crucial takeaways. Kinchens recorded UM’s first interception of 2023 intended for Ainias Smith. Afterward, Texas A&M was denied once more when Amari Daniels fumbled the ball forced by Jaden Davis, recovered by Kinchens to end the quarter.

Miami converted on the golden opportunity with a three-yard passing TD to George for the 38-26 advantage. The Aggies did not go away. Conner Weigman went deep with Evan Stewart marching down the field culminating in a nine-yard strike to Noah Thomas.
Just when you thought the game was tightening, the Hurricanes continued with their aerial assault. UM snapped the ball right before the play clock hit zero as Van Dyke airmailed it to George for the 64-yard dagger. In a last gasp of offense, the Aggies made it to the red zone in the waning seconds. Te’Cory Couch neutralized the threat.

Impressions

The U is now 2-0 and looks poised to go 5-0 to begin the season. Miami not only defeated a formidable SEC opponent but a familiar foe: Jimbo Fisher. Fans are definitely loving that. Van Dyke was sacked twice (and fumbled), however, the O-line generally kept him upright insulating their QB from most of the pressure.

The defense came up big on three occasions after failing to make any takeaways last weekend. Weigman was picked off twice and although he was never sacked the D was credited with four QB hurries. To me, this was hands down TVD’s best game with the Hurricanes and I’m really happy George, and the special teams for that matter, rebounded. The unit was terrible in the beginning with a tipped punt, a botched punt return, and a missed field goal.

Borregales shanked the the 54-yard attempt but nailed the next two including a 50-yard try late in the fourth. The run game was irrelevant. Nobody surpassed 50 yards. In the post-game conference, Van Dyke mentioned the team they faced tonight was better than last year’s. Even more telling, TVD said if this was the same 2022 Hurricanes team they would’ve frankly given up due to the early adversity. Overall, the win is huge for the program that’s finally trending upward.

Photo | Edwin Garcia

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