Miami quarterback D’Eriq King sharp in Hurricanes’ first fall scrimmage leading to Alabama
The Miami Hurricanes took a significant step toward the 2021 football season Sunday night in their opening fall scrimmage. And judging by the numbers provided by the University of Miami, so did quarterback D’Eriq King.
In his first competitive body of work since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus of his right knee in the Dec. 29 Cheez-It Bowl, King, according to UM, completed 12 of 16 passes (75 percent) for 124 yards and two touchdowns.
The scrimmage was closed to the media and public.
“The guys played hard,’’ UM coach Manny Diaz, breaking into a smile, said in a post-scrimmage video. “But the story is, great to see D’Eriq King. I thought he was phenomenal running the offense.
“Twelve for 16, 124, two touchdowns. Extending plays with his legs. The guy is a tough guy to defend.’’
Also outstanding: true freshman receiver Jacolby George, who had a phenomenal night with seven catches for 127 yards and a touchdown “on a slant,’’ Diaz said.
Keep in mind that quarterbacks are not allowed to be touched during the preseason.
Other quick stats:
▪ Freshman receiver Romello Brinson caught four passes for 73 yards.
▪ Freshman Brashard Smith had two catches for 30 yards, according to Diaz.
▪ Junior receiver Mark Pope caught three passes for 56 yards. “Good to see Pope,’’ Diaz said.
▪ Oklahoma transfer receiver Charleston Rambo scored a one-handed touchdown and had 60 yards receiving.
“And it wouldn’t be a scrimmage without [slot receiver Xavier] Restrepo making five catches,’’ Diaz said. “The guy does it every time we scrimmage.’’
On defense, Diaz said linebacker Keontra Smith had four tackles, a sack and pass breakup.’’
“He stood out all camp,’’ Diaz said of Smith. “He made a big tackle where it really felt like we had a change in momentum and kind of got the defense going again and got everybody fired up on that sideline.”
Diaz said defensive end Zach McCloud, a linebacker before this season, had “a great sack late in the game on a long yardage type situation.’’
“Those guys up front really stood out.’’
Added Diaz: “I told the team, ‘We’ve practiced nine times. There’s evidence on both sides of the ball that this can be an outstanding football team. But there’s also evidence on both sides of the ball that we’re not quite there yet.’
“We’ve hit ‘em all in camp that greatness comes from being consistently good. You’re always going to have that tug of war during camp where one day the defense edges it and the next day the offense edges it. When we’re both executing and playing at that high level, I think that’s what this week is going to be about.
“Let’s take that next step and not be satisfied with being good. We think greatness is available.’’
The Hurricanes did not provide any more stats from the scrimmage.
UM opens the season Sept. 4 against defending champion Alabama in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
This story was originally published August 15, 2021 at 9:00 PM.
