No. 4 Miami Hurricanes Overcome Death Valley With Demoralizing Win Over Clemson
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In an Atlantic Coast Conference prime-time clash at Death Valley (Memorial Stadium), the No. 4 Miami Hurricanes advance to a 5-0 record for a third consecutive season with a 41-13 win over Clemson on Saturday.
Quarterback Darian Mensah, who had experience playing against one of college football’s historic venues last season at Duke, reminded the Tigers fanbase what he’s capable of. The 21-year-old found former Blue Devils teammate and wide receiver Cooper Barkate at Clemson’s 39-yard line, then went 61 yards for the Hurricanes’ first touchdown of the game.
After settling for a 50-yard field goal to end the first quarter, Mensah made his presence known again. He stepped out of the pocket and scored the touchdown himself, despite nearly losing the football in the process.
Mensah finished the night with 18 of 27 passes completed, threw for 227 yards, and scored two total touchdowns (one passing and one rushing).
Hurricanes defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman planned to force Clemson freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds to beat them with his arm. Entering the game, he completed 54 of 84 passes (64.3 percent) and threw for 521 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions in the last three games. Reynolds' arm was in action for a majority of the night, completing 29 of 44 passes (both new collegiate career highs) and throwing for 295 yards, plus a pick-six to Hurricanes freshman safety/nickelback JJ Dunnigan.
Clemson’s offense primarily revolves around the run game, but sophomore star running back Gideon Davidson was limited to 25 rushing yards of the Tigers' 60 total on five carries.
The Hurricanes had a few vulnerable moments, but held up for the most part, especially sixth-year linebacker Chase Smith. He finished with six total tackles, five solos and an assist, and a tackle for loss. On fourth-and-second in the third quarter on the Hurricanes' 18-yard line, Smith forced a turnover on downs by stopping Davidson from getting the first down. He wasn’t the only defender to carve out a big play.
In less than two minutes of the third quarter, on first-and-10 on Clemson’s 25-yard line, Hurricanes senior star defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. forced a fumble on Reynolds, then sophomore defensive end and captain Herbert Scroggins III recovered.
Along with the positives came brutal negatives.
The Hurricanes dealt with various injuries to right guard Max Buchanan (left leg), cornerback Ethan O’Connor (played rest of game), defensive end Marquise Lightfoot (undisclosed), and right tackle Matthew McCoy (upper-body; played rest of game). They will have an upcoming bye week, then return to Hard Rock Stadium for an in-state rivalry matchup against the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, Oct. 17.
More Miami Hurricanes News:
– UM's Darian Mensah Reportedly Signed New NIL Deal With Floridian Spring Water
– Jack Dickert Believes Wake Forest Outmatched UM's Physicality, Despite the Results
– Did UM's Jackson Cantwell Hint at a Full-Time Return to Left Tackle?
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