Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke faces media for first time in nearly two weeks
Struggling University of Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke addressed the media Wednesday for the first time since he threw three interceptions in his worst career performance Nov. 4, a 20-6 loss at North Carolina State.
The fourth-year junior was named the starter again this week for No. 9 Louisville (9-1, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) after true freshman quarterback Emory Williams sustained a compound fracture of his left arm late in the fourth quarter in UM’s 27-20 loss last Saturday at fourth-ranked Florida State. Williams started that game in Tallahassee, and Van Dyke came in when the freshman was injured with 2:56 left.
“Obviously, I want to be the guy out there,’’ Van Dyke said during a Zoom session, assuring that he “supported Emory the whole way” and was on the sideline for guidance. “But at the end of the day, that’s what they had to do,’’ he said of his demotion. “I’ve experienced a lot of ups and downs since I came here, a lot of highs and lows...
“I’ve proven I can be one of the top quarterbacks in the country when I’m at my best. I’ve also proven when I’m not at my best I can not be in the conversation at all. At the end of the day playing quarterback you’ve got to be consistent throughout the entire season.”
The Canes (6-4, 2-4) have lost four of their past six games heading into the noon kickoff (ABC) against the Cardinals.
Van Dyke, the 2021 ACC Offensive Player of the Year who earlier this season was No. 2 nationally in passing efficiency, has thrown 11 interceptions in his past five games. He finished 2 of 7 for 29 yards in the FSU game, leading Miami to two first downs but throwing the game-sealing pick on his final pass.
Van Dyke’s numbers this season: 172 of 258 (66.7 percent) for 2,086 yards and 16 touchdowns, with 12 interceptions. He has been sacked nine times and is now 43rd in passing efficiency.
Public hostility
Van Dyke has been bashed unmercifully on social media, and was asked how tough it has been to ignore the noise.
“I didn’t even know they were vocal about me,’’ he said with a slight laugh. “I’m joking.
“Obviously, playing quarterback here at the University of Miami, they expect a lot of things from you. The expectation is high, and if you don’t play well, yeah, you’re going to get a lot of that. That’s pretty much anywhere you go in Power 5 football and the NFL. That’s a part of the business. I love being a Miami Hurricane. You’re going to get that if you don’t play well.
“I don’t have Instagram, Twitter, or anything like that. I don’t see it. But I assume it’s like that.”
He said he has talked regularly with UM sports psychologist Dr. Eric Goldstein, as well as with his parents, close friends and grandfather, a former athlete and Division I baseball and football coach.
“I love playing football and I want to accomplish my dreams of playing college football and playing in the NFL,’’ he said. “I’m going to do my best and I love the game. But at the end of the day I’m not going to let that consume my happiness. I don’t want to be upset for the rest of my life because football didn’t go my way. I kind of learned that throughout the process of the last few weeks.
“Maybe that was the life lesson that God was trying to teach me. There are things that you can be grateful for when things go badly because of the lessons you learned from it.”
TVD injuries
UM’s passing offense is ranked 45th nationally (255.6 yards a game), down from 14th (310.8) after the first six games exactly one month ago. The plummet, after the Oct. 14 North Carolina road game, coincides with when Van Dyke got pummeled that game and hurt his right knee, ribs and back. He began this season with three torn ligaments on the index finger of his throwing hand, and still had it covered in black tape at FSU.
Van Dyke said he’s “getting pretty much healed.’’
“Obviously, I was dealing with a lot of stuff, a lot of nicks going on,’’ he said. “That’s football. You’ve got to deal with it when you play. No excuse. But I feel better now and am ready to roll.’’
He said he has taken ownership for his mistakes and has told his teammates as such.
“Just got to be better, no matter what the situation is [or] how I’m feeling out there. If I’m out there, I’ve got to make plays and put the ball where it needs to be and not make mistakes.’’
He conceded that at times he has been pressing too much.
“Sometimes as a player you kind of get used to throwing for a lot of yards — 300 yards,’’ he said. “And sometimes you’re like, ‘Why isn’t it happening?’ Sometimes you just gotta check it down and live to play another day.’’
Going back and watching past games in which he excelled has helped “reinforce’’ his confidence “and kind of remind myself of my capabilities and who I can be as a quarterback.”
Van Dyke said his teammates have rallied around him and have “full trust’’ in him. “They’ve told me, like, ‘You’ve done this before. We know what you’e capable of and we have full trust you can go do it on Saturday.’ We’ve all stayed close, even through these tough times.’’
This story was originally published November 15, 2023 at 3:21 PM.
