Miami ranks 65th in the nation in points scored, converting 85.17 percent of its red zone opportunities. The Hurricanes have scored in 12 of their 14 total red zone appearances against Florida and Florida A&M. One of the red zone appearances was a kneeling at the end of the game against Florida.
If kneeling were eliminated, Miami would rank 42nd, converting 93.31 percent of their red zone trips. Miami has scored eight touchdowns and four field goals on 14 red zone trips in 2024. The Hurricanes rank 83rd, converting 57.14 percent of their red zone trips into TDs.
Miami would move up to 75th in red zone TD percentage if you take kneeling out of the equation against Florida. Against Florida, Miami scored five points in six red zone trips. Miami was seven of eight in the red zone against Florida A&M. Running back Mark Fletcher leads Miami with three red zone TDs.
Tight end Cam McCormick caught a nine-yard touchdown against Florida. Tight end Elijah Arroyo, running backs Chris Johnson and Jordan Lyle and quarterback Cam Ward scored touchdowns in the red zone against FAMU. In its only game this season, Ball State allowed Missouri State to score touchdowns in all three red zone games last week.
Miami will have a big advantage against Ball State on Saturday. Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson will pound the ball hard in the red zone and possibly incorporate some play-action passes in the red zone. Fletcher is expected to be seen when Miami gets to Ball State’s 10-yard line.
Fletcher had 10 one-yard runs against Florida and a four-yard touchdown against FAMU. All of Fletcher’s runs this season have come on first or second down. Fletcher has nine 50-yard runs on first down and three 15-yard runs with all three touchdowns on second down. With Miami running low on yards on third down, that will likely change.
Next. Cam Ward has turned Miami into a big-play offense. Cam Ward has turned Miami into a big-play offense. dark
Xavier Restrepo was, as expected, Miami’s key receiver. Restrepo has 11 catches for 216 yards and two touchdowns with eight catches for first downs. Restrepo had a touchdown reception for 24 yards against Florida and a touchdown reception for 50 yards against FAMU. Watch Restrepo in the red zone against Ball State on Saturday.
