Miami enters Florida State rivalry week after sticking together through high-stress drama

Nothing like a little on-field drama heading into Miami-Florida State week, which often culminates in significant drama of its own.

Nobody scored a touchdown in the University of Miami’s 14-12 four-overtime victory at Virginia Saturday, and the Hurricanes offense has some serious work to do. But amid some monster front-line defense, clutch kicking by Andy Borregales and perseverance by first-time starting quarterback Jake Garcia, the Hurricanes stuck together and survived.

It was the first overtime game for Miami since 2019, when UM lost 28-21 to Georgia Tech. Surviving a game like that, no matter how ugly, could help Miami (4-4, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) through the rest of this season, which includes a game at No. 5 Clemson (8-0) on Nov. 19.

“I think every team needs something like this,” UM coach Mario Cristobal said. “No one enjoys the anxiety that takes over when you go through a tight game like that but quite honestly I think our guys enjoyed. I think the coaches enjoyed the competitive nature of the game. Every team could really benefit and learn a lot from a game like this on both sides because you’re so close – you’re a tipped ball away, you’re a missed block away, you’re a penalty away.

“It increases everybody’s awareness of the value of each and every snap. Every single snap is like gold and you can’t waste any of them, especially in conference play, especially in conference divisional play.”

Tyler Van Dyke

Cristobal did not give a clear indication of when usual starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who hurt his throwing shoulder on Oct. 22 against Duke, would return. Van Dyke was at the game on the sideline, but ruled out. CaneSport reported last week that Van Dyke would likely miss the Florida State game, set for 7:30 p.m. on ABC, and then be reevaluated.

The Seminoles (5-3, 3-3) on Saturday defeated Georgia Tech 41-16 in Tallahassee. The Yellow Jackets (3-5, 2-3) host UM on Nov. 12 in Atlanta.

“He’s getting better and better,’’ Cristobal said of Van Dyke. “I hate to comment on that and then all of a sudden have to give you a different story in a couple of days. Like all the other guys of that character, that DNA, he’s doing everything possible to get back as soon as he can. But he is working and he is getting closer and closer. We’ll see where he is at as the week goes on.”

Jake Garcia

Garcia, who often struggled Saturday connecting with his receivers, finished 15-of-29 for 125 yards. He was sacked twice. He said he wasn’t nervous, but that “obviously’’ there was “a little bit of excitement.’’

“The ball jumped out on me a couple times early in the game,’’ Garcia said. “We had a post over the top and it kind of jumped out on me. And then we had like a slot fade almost and it also jumped out on me.

“I’m taking accountability for that. I wasn’t connecting on things we normally connect on. It was a good learning experience and good time to get a feel of playing football again and going out there and starting — first start since Dec. 31, 2020, state championship game in Georgia. It was a good feeling to get back. But I have to pull my weight, honestly.”

He pulled his weight plenty when he charged toward the pylon in the right corner of the end zone for the winning two-point conversion. He was immediately engulfed by his jubilant teammates in a mass celebration.

Garcia said his receiver on the play was tight end Kahlil Brantley, but that “it looked like he was almost going to trip to me.”

“Knowing how my day was going, I was like, ‘I see the pylon right there. I’m running this in. Kahlil turned back and blocked for me and we made it happen.’’

“We came into the game knowing we had to go 1-0 and we got the job done. It wasn’t pretty but we went 1-0. We’ll celebrate this, but [Sunday] it’s turn the page — and it’s a blank page. We have to go back, watch the film, correct our mistakes and learn from our mistakes.”

More, from Cristobal

On the offense: “Obviously we had some offensive issues. Positives: The run game is starting to get going a little bit, particularly Henry Parrish [24 carries for 115 yards]. We were close on popping some big ones. Had a missed block on one, had a penalty on another where we felt we had the right look we wanted. But the passing game we had some issues.”

On the injury status of safety James Williams (was at game but didn’t play), defensive end Akheem Mesidor (came out in the first half) and linebacker Wesley Bissainthe (came out in the first half):

“I think James will be fine. It was game time decision or last-second decision. Akheem was a little bit dinged up and we just felt he’s not where he needs to be. At this stage in the season you’ve got to play when you’re hurt. He’s a tough guy and he pushed through as much as he could and it was time. Wesley, they’re checking on him and he seems to be fine.”