2024 Week 1: Miami Hurricanes vs. Florida Gators | Full Game

welcome to it what do you say we do this here at the [Applause] swamp and Graham Merz will Trot on out for his second full year at Florida he's facing a Miami secondary that replaces four of their five starters on the back end so a little bit of inexperience in games back there if Florida can keep Graham Merz standing upright he's got a shot to have a big game Montreal Johnson Starts in the back field with him M's 44th career start as a college quarterback Merz quick to the outside to the very talented Trey Wilson the most explosive player on the fla team by far he is their most dynamic weapon on offense Joe and he really came on at the end of last year five touchdowns in his last five games they lost Ricky piol to the first round to the 49ers so Trey Wilson now becomes the go-to guy and in this game you're going to see him lined up all over the field they are going to try and get him as many touches as possible 11 yards to Wilson play action off the orbit motion as well and now MERS is going to run it and fortunately he slides well you say that because he got into a problem last year constantly trying to take Defenders on actually injured his clavicle late in the season against Missouri a game that we call Joe they just need him to make better decisions so here on the second play of the Season nothing's open you tuck it you get up field very smart decision not taking the hit from jayen Alderman just get down on the ground you broke his collar bone last year didn't need surgery was back for Spring ball second down and [Applause] [Music] six Johnson can't find anything just maybe a half yard our impact players are brought to you by Home Depot we talked about Trey Wilson from the gator Montell Johnson has led the team in rushing the last two years that Florida's got a new number this season he's going to carry it a lot Kiko Maui know it to me is the heart and soul of the Cane's defense does everything for them and can run and how about Ruben Bane Jr he is a terror coming off the edge and that's a guy that this offensive line from the gator they have to be able to account for he was the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year [Applause] third and five tap pass Wilson struggling to find anything and how about that front of the canes as they come up with the big stop on third down that's a great play by Elijah Allon the transfer for Marshall coming off the edge he didn't make the tackle but he missed the play and that time Miami had a bunch of guys mugged up you're going to see him just shoot off the ball right here beats the block he beats the puller and that forces Trey Wilson to have to slow down in Miami able to Cor him there is so much athleticism in this front for the Hurricanes Joe they went to the portal they brought in a lot of bodies that we're going to talk about throughout this game you saw one of them there in Austin Jeremy CAW of New South Wales Australia to pun a away to Ray Ray [Applause] Joseph their catch at the 16 yd line cam Ward the new star at Miami here's Damen Martinez Damen Martinez speaking of the transfer port and look at the drive by the offensive line he was the star out of Oregon State who came to South Florida he's a 230lb running back Joe that feels right at home running between the tackles very comfortable in this Zone scheme and he's the kind of guy that can wear a defense down now they're going with Tempo remember there's the coacht player communication the headsets this year we saw as slower pace of a game in week zero in Ireland between Florida State and Georgia Tech but here a little bit of tempo as he goes ahead on second down impact players brought to you by Home Depot talked about Damen Martinez Xavier Restrepo in the slot is just a monster set a School record for catches in his season last year Jordan castal started 11 games as a true freshman a year ago he's a leader on the back end they need TJ Cersei to be a force coming off the edge rushing the passer they go underneath with the Quick Pitch to George jacobe George wrestled down just near the line of scrimmage by pup Howard the middle linebacker out of Jacksonville and pup Howard's a big pickup we talk a lot about the portal he's coming over from South Carolina 6'4 240 lbs very rangy and very athletic and that was a nice job of finding the football there was a lot of eye candy in front of them with guys in motion but he's able to go out and make a real tough tackle against a really good player in George empty look on second and eight Ward's going to run it himself and he's got a lot of room to just jog ahead and Coast out for another kan's first down well it's going to be critical that the Gators do a good job with their pass rush lanes and everybody staying home this time you're going to see players Loop inside and right away cam word field that and as soon as he sees the Rush from shmar James middle linebacker he's off and running 12yd run from cam Ward Martinez looking for an opportunity and then picks that pole to get out to the 44 y line now this is a physical running attack from the Miami Hurricanes Joe they're a big offensive line they're running it right at you and they love to run it right between the guards there is no mystery last year they ran for 130 yards a game in between the guards that was most in the country so they're going to challenge this Florida defense in their front seven to see if they can step up and stop them second and six Ward spins to his left looking for an opportunity directing traffic and what a catch an effort by Restrepo to come back to the ball and make that grab and move the chains again man you know Mario Christal was holding his breath cuz that's the Cardinal sent as a quarterback you're rolling to your left you throw it back across your body to the middle of the field but there's Restrepo one of our impact players making a very difficult grab behind his back that is a huge play early for the canes 13 yds to Xavier Restrepo play action Ward with time now darts ahead gets free looks behind and strides clearly out of bounds just inside the 20 yd line well that's another example of the Gators getting out of their rushing Lanes Derek Wingo is sitting in the middle of the field at linebacker he's trying to watch cam Ward's eyes he just becomes impatient right here and runs and as soon as he does that you're seeing the Poise of Cam W nothing open downfield he just feels the rush Lane gets a nice block by his left guard Ryan Rodriguez Off to the Races you know he has a a nonchalance about him when you watch the body language of Cam Ward it's not that he's disinterested he's just always cool calm and composed the other big back Mark Fletcher comes in for the canes after that 24 yd run by cam Ward Fletcher gets the call tries right tackle but is driven back he was pushed back by Tyreek Sapp this is the start I think Miami wants in this game Jo obviously you want to go down you want to score points early you want to create some momentum but any chance you get early in the game to take this crowd at the swamp out of the game you want to do that so this is a really important moment here down in the red zone now early for the Miami Hurricanes [Applause] second and 10 three-man pressure they dropped eight against Ward Ward look at all the time he has drifts all the way back to the 40 yd line before he throws it downfield and out of bounds and that is an absolute coverage sack that time eight guys dropping back nowhere for Ward to go with the football that time the gator stayed in their Rush L they only Rush three but Tyreek Sapp right here did a really good job of just staying outside he wasn't going to let cam Ward break contain like he has a few times earlier on the drive really nice adjustment and now third down this is where the crowd noise again becomes a major factor a sold out swamp Let It Roar third and 10 [Applause] Ward tried to check down a Royo wasn't anywhere near it and the defense does their job but we are going to check on a flag back at the 33 AC Leed group of officials with Marcus Woods as our referee personal foul R the passing Defense number one at the distance of the go first down just yeah he's the guy that got the pressure on cam Ward you're going to see here he's just kind of throwing this in the ground at the feet he's got to be able to let up a little bit it happened right in front of the referee and Billy Napier he cannot believe it defense was going to be walking off the field and instead it brings it ahead to what is a first and [Applause] goal costly pen penalty by boom short pitch Martinez and he was tracked Right Down the Line as he was brought down by Caleb Banks I think in the Run game Joe you can see the athleticism that Florida has in their front seven these defensive lineman they're able to disengage go hunt the football and linebackers they can fly sideline to sideline they're matching the physicality they bring in a new coach coordinator and Ron Roberts over from Auburn a guy that coached on Billy Napier staff at Louisiana for a couple years a lot of familiarity there big moment for his defense second and goal Ron Roberts one of the gritty Veterans of coaching War drifting back again floats it complete and into the end zone goes cam McCormick one of the great stories of college football his ninth year playing the game and he scores the opening touchdown for the kanes of course we saw last week what happened in Ireland on the opening touchdown where that was executed for a two-point conversion Borg Alis sends it through cam McCormick caps an 11pl Drive he's gone through injuries for years he kept on playing we will tell you the emotion behind the why of Cam McCormick in 9 years when we come come back on a scorching hot day in Gainesville this Story Jesse of Cam McCormick you say how can a guy Possibly play nine years of college football that's how oh it's amazing back on offense Florida MZ and Johnson in the back field here is MZ and connecting with DK out to the 35 and now for the story behind that story here's Katie well guys McCormack was close teammates and friends with Spencer web and organ wide receiver who tragically passed away in 2022 McCormack said he continues to play the game he loves because Webb can't and he also said you're given four years to play college football he has yet to play Four full seasons and he says he deserves that chance too Tess is that incredible and then he scores a touchdown to open things up Merz downfield back shoulder and gets it to Elijah Badger the transfer from Arizona State yeah the Gators feel like they've got guys outside that can win one-on-one throwing Fades goes and post you hear the Arizona State transfer just on a fade route this is a perfectly thrown back shoulder ball there is no defense for a perfect pass and we talked about the accuracy from Graham Merz earlier it's a really good example about that 19 yards to [Applause] Bater play action Merz going to take a shot downfield and overthrows the intended target with Badger again deari Brown had coverage that was nice coverage one-on-one and we talked about all the inexperience that the canes have back there he started the last four games of the season last year but no doubt he's a guy that they need to step up and make plays 6'2 you see the size just a tiny bit of contact I think that's a really good no call [Applause] [Applause] Johnson on second down and he was met in the hole and driven down by Jaden Harris the strong safety and this is what Miami's defense wants to do Joe they want to stop the run on first and second down set up third and long and pin their ears back they're going to play with multiple defensive ends and right now they've got three of them on the field Elijah Alon Tyler Baron is out there they've got AE mesidor out there and they can stand them up and move them around it makes it really difficult for centers and guards especially inside to deal with [Applause] that third and seven for MZ Forman Rush checks down to Johnson Johnson cannot turn the corner as he was driven back that time by Wesley Bain well that's the benefit when you can get a pass rush with four put everybody in coverage keep your eye on the football and go and pursue it now maybe a little bit of a decision for Billy Napier kind of in No Man's Land close to the 40 yd line but looks like they're going to punt play field position with Jeremy croshaw CR Shaw comes out to punt away go for that back rotation spin pin and hope to land [Applause] [Music] it oh and a great special teams that time that was Jim DK the wide receiver Gunner inside the five to down it here in the swamp so they start from inside the 5 yd line and Fletcher tries to give them running room but he is stacked up on the inside by the middle of that front Banks was in the mix there of course the head coach was part of all that great National Championship history Mario cisal himself two national titles as an offensive lineman for the Kings so just a two-y run for Fletcher it's a big opportunity for the Florida [Applause] defense Ward quickly gets it out to Ayo and the very athletic tight end is able to turn the corner for a first down a Royo is a guy Miami needs to stay healthy this year only played eight games the last two seasons but he is so athletic at sixs for 245 lbs tight end's only had 21 catches last season as a group but they believe as good as they are at wide receiver if number eight a Royo can stay healthy then this passing attack goes to another level nyd reception and a first down to get out of that compromised field position [Applause] sidearms it to the outside to Restrepo but they were right on top of it you know the RPO game is such a big part of this Miami offense and you see the mechanics of Cam W he's like a shortstop turning too right just catch and release he gets it out so quickly it's a lot of pressure on this Gator defense there's Shannon Dawson the offensive play caller for Miami right now it feels like after an 11pl Drive to open the game trying to get some more breathing room here the end of the first quarter second and nine Ward you say he scrambles to throw throws Against the Grain and that ball is intercepted that was Shamar James coming up with the pick off and Florida's in business and the gator def defense and Shamar James their heart and soul at linebacker comes up with the interception in a huge momentum shifting play Early going the Gator's way Shamar James comes up with the interception it's the James is making the play it's Cameron James getting the pressure here but it's Shamar James working in the slot one-on-one with Xavier Restrepo and he's able to turn his head around locate the football on the throw and he makes a pretty difficult catch you know that was a good play call by code DC Ron Roberts there that time bracketing Xavier Restrepo in the slot Shamar James underneath they had safety ACA Turner over top and they get the interception now can Florida Cash in quick bubble they get it to Trey Wilson Wilson trying to split Defenders as he darts to the 30 Katie yeah t first thing Kim Ward said when he got to the sidelines where's the iPad somebody get me the iPad he's been watching that interception back ever since he got to the sidelines well Katie I think it's the second time in the game now that he's thrown it back across body rolling to his left he's played enough football to know moving forward that's probably either a ball you just want to throw away out of bounds or tuck it and run P has run nine plays for 47 yards before this drive and punted twice now they get great field position what will they do with it second and seven fakes the bubble looks downfield doesn't have it there merch decides to run and this time does lower the shoulder smart enough to move the chains yeah he does a good job again tucking it and going understanding where the sticks are and then getting out of bounds but the Jadis Richard is not a guy he needs to take on so again that that might be a conversation they have with great just run out of bounds right here you got the first down you don't need to take unnecessary hits and Jadis Richards more than happy to give it to him first down and 10 after the interception by Shamar [Applause] Johnson off the left side and look at the defense by Miami everybody getting to the ball mesidor was the first to get there Tyler Baron as well getting involved well the guy that I think Miami has the key on now is number three for the Florida Gator and identify where he's lining up this just feels like Trey Wilson territory you've seen already even in the last couple plays he's been at receiver he's been at running back they threw him a swing they faked a swing to him now he's playing wide receiver to the left side of the formation one on one up top with the safety in the middle of the field something gr Merz is going to be paying attention [Applause] to S and 10 Merz fakes the bubble again to the left looks back to the right goes deep to the end zone but thrown behind and to the outside of khil Jackson with deari brown on coverage well there's a lot of hand fighting and the crowd obviously wants pass interference deari Brown and khil Jackson kind of got locked up down there on the the goal line ground turns around to locate I think it was more of a push off than anything from khil Jackson and another no call so here's the thing right you've seen referees Now call a couple plays like that no Pi on the Miami defense I think Billy naer and the Gators will expect that to be reciprocated as this game goes on acc official Marcus Woods is leading This Crew here's third and 10 mer incomplete as he was looking for Aris Bingham on Third and 10 that is a great job of Sudden Change defense by the Miami Hurricanes after the interception by cam Ward they had to run back out take the field and they're able to Bow up for some big incompletions here nice play that time by Williams on the back end to force a field goal attempt by Trey smack Trey smack who had a big year a year ago had a game where he was five for five hit two 54 yarders this will be from 41 out of the hold of CAW Underwood with the Snapper try to have Florida's first points of the season and with that the Gators are on the board TR Mack after he hit the 41 y kcks off 7 to3 Miami here closing seconds of this first quarter [Applause] Martinez is going to bounce it to the right finds enough room there as he gets out to the 32 yd [Applause] line welcome back to Gainesville I'm on the sidelines with Mario chrisal Mario your defense does a nice job forcing that field goal what did you see on the interception from cam Ward well you know we were trying to make something happen on the Run ball got out behind them behind the receiver got tipped got picked off they're doing a nice job with coverage and mixing up the looks we got to do a good job establishing ourselves the line of scrimmage and then go from there thank you yeah when he says it was tipped it was just slightly grazed by the intended shallow receiver before it went into the hands of Shamar James here is Martinez and look at Martinez when he makes a decision to accelerate and then just steamrolls downfield as he went straight over DJ Douglas well he has tremendous patience and for a 230lb guy he's got a lot of burst too he just kind of sets this up Shamar James is mirroring him and I think number six for the Gator was surprised at how quickly number six for the canes bounced outside almost coveted running back in the transfer quarter just a massive load of power running at 232 lbs 17 yd run there for [Applause] Martinez that ball was a little shallow for Restrepo but he's will haul it in and then dance his way for a first down well that's a great job of Cam Ward knowing where his answer is against the corner Blitz Florida is going to bring it from the boundary and there was no hesitation cam W knew right away as soon as he saw this he's throwing to Xavier Restrepo right now right away we talked about cam W he's been in the Air Raid Offense now for years that's the system that Shannon Dawson is running and you can tell he already has the answers to the test in the passing game jannon Dawson the play caller for Miami who spent Four Seasons at Houston it's part of the Dana holders coaching truth first down Ward just relaxed and then slings it and he gets it to Restrepo again First Team all ACC Xavier rreo I think we're learning a lot about cam Ward on this drive too remember he's playing on a new team they're trying to figure him out as well Joe you learn a lot about a guy sometimes how do they respond after a bad play after that interception now cam W's taking the field he's marching his offense down the field right now under control I think they're learning out a lot about their signal [Applause] call play action on first down with pressure one little move buys him time gets it complete and getting inside to the 10yd line was Horton well he threw it against his body again he did but this time there was nobody around Horton at 6'4 he was just spotted up it was an easy catch he's able to advance it now and I think this is a place where Mario chrisal would love to see his offensive line take over that was a real big key for them last year in recruiting through the portal building the guys up front so in situations like this where it's hard to throw because the windows are so small you'd love to be able to just turn around hand it off to one of your big backs well he's got the big back in Damen Martinez it's first and 10 technically the ball's just outside the 10 yd line there's that sidearm again as they go with the tunnel to loften the true freshman and again it's just an RPO this could be a run inside with martinez with a guard pulling but he sees a look outside one-on-one and he goes out to Elijah Loft and a highly recruited tight end they clocked him at 20 miles an hour in practice with that body in the spring it's not supposed to happen I mean the guy can running back if he wants to it's another one of these weapons backto back recruiting classes that were the best in school history could play defensive line with that upper body he's going to be something special they have been recruiting they have been getting into the transfer portal and they have been Landing everything that's coming up gold second and seven tinez looking for anything in the middle but driven back purn and the rest of that team and the ball came out there as Douglas is trying to play it but the officials are waving it dead head all the way back at about the 6yd line progress stop well here's the thing right we talked about the big bodies up front for Miami that time though they're running into a 450lb defensive tackle big number 21 Desmond Watson it looks like he was the one along with DJ Douglas just trying to rip the football out you can't review forward progress once they say forward progress is stopped that's it third down and four here's Warden thir pressure off the edge as he gets a complete but taken down right at the line of scrimmage is Martinez as that was pup Howard who came up big defensively there were so many times a season ago Joe where the Gators had coverage busts especially at the linebacker level that's a really nice play by pup Howard the transfer from South car Carolina staying home and you saw the athleticism in speed able to make the tackle Andy board Dallas comes out for the short field goal attempt it's just from 23 yds out and he is as reliable as can be I think leading into this game everywhere we've been [Applause] they're going to have to use a [Applause] timeout Johnson big hole Montrell Johnson for a first down and they've got to be able to get Johnson going really nice job up front N J Harris at left guard and Jake slaugher the center they work a double team and they get tremendous push right here right at the point of attack and there's a huge crease for Johnson to run through running the ball Joe it's such a big identity in Billy Napier's offense they have to be able to establish that physicality 13 yards for Montell Johnson at 600 yd games a year ago Merz on first down downfield and the flag Reigns in as Badger was the intended target he's working against Daryl Porter Junior that time and just too much that was an easy pass interference called to [Applause] make pass to the fence Defense number two 15yd penalty first down yeah this Miami defense now they've come out and they challenged these Gator receivers and press man-to-man coverage and when grah Merz has seen that he's got these back shoulder fade throws in his back pocket that he's trying to take advantage of we saw him complete one in the first quarter this time nothing they could do because of the p first penalty of the day for Miami Porter's the fifth year player in that defensive back field short pitch Johnson left side Johnson adds the shoulder at the end he's got things going a bit now as he gave it to Maui Noah yeah Kiko Maui Noah just introduced himself as Johnson on the sidelines but this is impressive to watch Johnson he had arthoscopic knee surgery at the start of August and they weren't sure when he was going to be ready he has practiced the last 10 days they said he looked good and here these last two runs he certainly does do that but talk about not shying away from contact I mean Kiko Maui NOA is a 235 lb linebacker not a lot of running backs that want to take that on Johnson [Applause] did second and five Merz off play action time to step up drive the ball downfield but out beyond the stretched arm of badger who was covered by Jadis Richard yeah again man coverage and you're seeing the gator aggressive we've seen back shoulder Fades we've seen a couple post they've tried to go to Badger twice on those throws but the coverage has just been too good by an inexperienced Miami secondary that really is stepping up and their D coordinator Lance gidry he's challenging them he's putting them out on Islands playing man coverage and they've been up to the task third and five Webb comes in at running back [Applause] he's going to get the call but he can't get anything he is taken down right at the line of scrimmage by that very active defensive front and a decision here for Billy Napier crossing the 50 down a [Applause] touchdown one of the things the gator love to do is sort of fake play action try to freeze linebackers and then get tight ends running backs out flanking them in the flat Trey Wilson starts in the back field and now splits out and a timeout is going to be used by Miami Jesse I ask you how many quarterbacks are Miami have been drafted in the top three rounds since 1990 so they were qbu because of guys like Jim Kelly Bernie Kar Gino tetta Steve Walsh but then you think ahead I'm going to say goose egg yeah that's right a Flac trivia answer zero and now of course cam Ward who is list cam Ward's an NFL prospect Johnson flanking MERS fourth and five from the 42 yd [Applause] line MZ on fourth down pressured escapes it and that ball should have been intercepted it goes incomplete but a flag is down at Midfield so we will check on that it's going to be Brandon khaw Dixon the right tackle on hold 65 that P is decline fourth down you see coming from the right hand side that's Tyler Baron the transfer from Tennessee getting the pressure and we've seen now the Cane's defense in two difficult situations right earlier after the interception and a sudden change situation they bowed up and Ward goes right up to the line to check with them here's Ward that was thrown behind Isaiah Horton and a flag is down back at the 33 I get another R in pass first the foul R the passer Defense number 12 15yd penalty first down it brought DJ Douglas on a safety Blitz he was about 20 yards away from cam Ward and he had a full run coming from here Ward gets rid of this football you've got to let up that's just a mental Mistake by a 50-year senior transfer from two lane we've seen a couple of those now Billy Napier scratching his head I mean driver coach crazy it's week one and you know the emotions are running high but you got to play with more composure I mean you look up and you blink and all of a sudden the ball's at the FL to 43 when it would have been an incompletion here's Fletcher as he tries to drive ahead but TJ cersi with the [Applause] tackle we just had to discussion about Miami and the quarterback's drafted in the last 34 years and and I think listen there has been mediocrity with around the program in the last 20 years they've been in the ACC for that amount of time never won a conference Championship I think the big reason why was inconsistency at the quarterback position they believe that cam Mor can be the key to taking the team to another level this year on second and seven over the middle complete as he goes to Horton and it's a really nice job by the offensive line giving cam Ward a very very clean pocket to survey the field he starts this play off looking to the right side he's got Restrepo on a spot route he doesn't like it so he's able to come back refocus to the middle and deliver an accurate ball just easy 30 yds pitch and catch their longest play today Ward tried to Quick strike it to the end zone to Restrepo but it's incomplete well you see all the different arm slots the C could throw from right I was calling him a short stop earlier cuz it literally can come out out over top you can throw it sidearm he can throw it below sidearm there are throwers and then there are passers Patrick Mahomes is a guy that you would consider a passer a guy that just effortlessly can get rid of it accurately and cam W's got a little bit of that magic that short stop stuff in him second and goal under center now here's Fletcher with a Blocker in front and Fletcher will take it right in this time he gets a really nice block on Shamar James right here it was a slow developing Run play coming around the other side with Sam Brown the transfer from Houston at wide receiver getting a kick out on the safety Jordan Castell little misdirection to take it in for the touchdown [Applause] and a timeout is going to be used by Miami it changes everything and it galvanizes your team mer on first down ball was batted down that was a deflected pass right in his face that time Elijah Alon coming off the edge they lined up the big defensive end opposite Trey Wilson and he was able to kind of swap this thing away look at it take it back right now 41 Chase Smith and what they're trying to do it's interesting there you see him lined up against Eugene Wilson they're not they're not letting Trey Wilson get a clean release down the field they're going to try to chip him and change up the timing but really nice athletic play there by Smith [Applause] second down for MZ they go inside here's Trey Wilson Trey Wilson is able to get it out to the 32 so on these third down situations now at the Gators you got to help your tackles on the edge right they've had some problems with the speed Miami has and the athleticism they have up front you're Billy nap you got to find ways to keep tight ends and running backs in to chip these guys off the edge to give grahammer just a little bit more time to throw the ball remember they are over on third down down third down and three MERS with time gets it out quickly but it's incomplete he threw it between Defenders looking for Jackson Elijah Altin thought he would get a chance at it but it's incomplete for is 0 for five on third down Jess and Miami on third down is throwing all these exotic looks and these radar looks where you got guys standing up they're mugging the a gaps you don't know who's coming who's dropping up off number 11 right here is going to be the guy Elijah Allon from Marshall is going to drop back into coverage and gr Merck doesn't know he's thinking maybe he's coming on a rush the guy he should have thrown that to was wide open in the flat that was Trey Webb his running back so a poor decision that time by Gram Ms first three and out today Jeremy CAW out to punt away and a rumni pro kick Australia how many times do you hear that nowadays as he Sky punts this and drives it and calling for the fair catches with stpo at the 25 Shannon Dawson's Playbook as an offensive play caller right now is wide open yep and Jordan lles in the game the top running back recruit in the country is going to split out the true freshman from St Thomas aquinus and South Florida as he gets it quickly to Restrepo this guy is so reliable yeah he really is and he's just so sudden he's probably quicker than he is fast but he just creates separation off the line of scrimmage and just gets open a lot easier we haven't called his name a ton in this game but that is going to be a safety blanket for cam Mo today and throughout the entire season when you need a big Play You Can Count On number seven had 85 catches last year the Miami single season record second and five Lyle looking to turn the corner and he kept his balance it'll be third and short from there you can see this the speed there by ly Joe I mean they have the thunder right they've got Damen Martinez they've got Mark Fletcher but who's going to be the lightning who can be the change of pace back they lost their leading runner last year Henry Parish to Old Miss they're hoping the true freshman could kind of pick up the slack in that category third and two remember how this crowd was roaring to start the game this is a different crowd than it was just a half an hour ago will this defense respond Ward on third down quickly gets it out as wild tries to fight for the line to make and I think they're going to Mark him short based on that as TJ cersi was there defensively that's a great Tackle by cersi out in space against a much smaller running back and that time cam Ward worked through an entire progression he got to his fourth read in it that was his running back on the swing but the gator able to stay home a big 265lb defensive end out in space against the running back TJ Cersei answers the [Applause] call Dylan Joyce out to pun away Jim DK back to return for the Gators defense did their job coming up on three and A2 minutes before halftime with Kevin and booger in the studio first punt of the day for Miami and Miami will use a timeout out Joyce boots it away as DK's driven all the way back to the 10 yd line but he splits Defenders and makes a good return of it out to the 29 Jim DK the transfer from [Applause] Wisconsin see how grah Merz will make manage this 3 and 1/2 minutes until halftime they start on the ground with Johnson who turns the corner and here goes monre Johnson hello swap go ahead and let him hear it that was their first play over 20 yds today and it goes for 71 The Roaring legs of Montrell Johnson just when they needed it most to make it a touchdown margin and that was tremendous athleticism by Florida Center Jake Slaughter who was pulling outside on that play now they also brought their guard Harris here he's going to miss Bain watch Jake Slaughter at 66 get the block he erases the mistake pins him inside right there and Miami safety Jaden haris took a very bad angle downhill and Montreal Johnson was able to get outside it's coming this way and and the pin is there it's a very athletic front that Florida has and it's not just a Zone scheme but they're pulling centers and guards and tackles to get bigger bodies at the point of the tack and Florida's leading rusher for the last two seasons the transfer from Louisiana Montell Johnson shows you the speed mentioned he was playing with his staff back at Louisiana incredible relationship with Jabar jaluk the running back coach who really is like a father figure to Montrell very very close Martinez he tries to catch that scene and he darts out past the 30 Shamar James who had the interception earlier tripped him [Applause] up now conversely you know if you're the gator defense here trying to ride this momentum a little bit how big would it be to get a stop get the ball back and with two timeouts give Graham Merz an opportunity to go steal some more points super talented Miami offense now facing the Roar of the swamp Ward and Martinez the coveted prizes of the transfer portal here's Martinez on second and four he's going to be a yard short it'll be third and short Denson made the tackle remember we told you this year in college football there's the two-minute timeout and with that differential between play late clock and game clock Miami's going to take that luxury the motivation but the offense has to get going before that touchdown only 82 yards of offense for the Gator they got to get more than a big play that's to you take it away all right third down and one and it was Martinez straight ahead for a first down for Miami so remember Miami has the lead obviously and they're going to get the ball first in the second half you got a quarterback playing his first game in this offense in this tough environment how comfortable are they letting him just go two minute Up Tempo and starts slinging it around to try to score more points I think he's done enough and shown enough in the first half to earn that opportunity Joe but it looks like you're just going to try to play it saf here and take it in with the [Applause] lead and Ward goes to Brown there were no timeouts and clock is ticking down under a minute and a half to play Denson with the tackle and a nice Tackle by Denson too because that time Brown was try trying to get outside and get out of bounds to stop the clock so we've seen really good open field tackling by the Gators I think in this game that's one thing they've done a really good job of for the most part you saw a good example there forcing Miami to use that timeout the official standing over the [Applause] ball second down and two from 45 second and two as Ward checks at the line you can see Shamar James making the adjustment for the Gator defense Martinez as he just puts all that weight and power behind it and Tyreek sap was the first to get to him but that'll be a first down for Miami no time outs for Miami I I I think if you're the canes you got to be thinking about your kicker Andres Bor Gallas one of the best in the country he had a 51 y against Florida State a year ago so in cam Ward's mind you're thinking if we can get somewhere near the 35 yd line here we're in boris' [Applause] range Ward gets it complete threw it behind a Royo but complete and now Miami all of a sudden is right there in Prime position to strike we talked about the athleticism of a royal and why they were so excited 250 lbs looking like Jimmy Graham stretching the field vertically make that big [Applause] catch Ward to the end zone incomplete as he was looking for [Applause] Horton and all of a sudden you know this drive kind of starts off with a few run plays it looks like Miami is just going to take their time and right away boom boom back to back throws deep down the field trying to challenge the skater secondary talked about this Miami receiving unit by the way being dangerous and good after the catch 55 yards already in this game after the catch 50 seconds remain second down and 10 Ward quick strike and into the end zone goes Xavier Restrepo how about that d dve by the kanes it didn't take long when cam Ward and the play caller Shannon Dawson made a decision it looked like they had two Defenders taking a flat route right here they Buzz out it's jacem Jackson who also runs with it it's Restrepo that runs inside wide open on the smash route two guys covering the same there was some hesitation and cam Ward does not need a big window to take advantage of that we saw coverage bus be a big issue for a very young and inexperienced Gator defense a year ago some untimely penalties and now that big coverage bust there that has really been the gator undoing in this first half under control and he showed you that there in that two-minute situation boy did he a 24 yd touchdown to [Applause] Restrepo here's Merz on the split Shadows of the field in midaf afternoon and he's taken down that was Kiki Mau NOA as Kiko maoa just comes crashing down on Graham Merz well there's a stun up front and that gets the offensive lineman moving you're talking about one of the best blitzing linebackers in the country at 230 lbs man when he decides to go downhill he gets the football cam Ward as you said boy his heart rate just doesn't rise at all kind of had a breakthrough there what do you think of your offenses performance in the first half especially the guys up front yeah struggled on third down for the most part and then inconsistent with the Run game you know I mean I think we've had some opportunities um this had struggled on third down haven't been able to stay on the field we've made a handful of explosives um you know we've made it's a handful of errors on defense two penalties we've had a couple pressures that didn't hit we got to get it cleaned up here thank you all right we'll get the ball to start the second half so it's a big moment for the Florida defense to try to come up with a stop here football so far Joe he looks the part here's Mark Fletcher who had a touchdown run in the first half but he's wrapped up right away by pup Howard Katie well Jesse Mario chrisal echoed your same sentiments coming out of the locker room he said the response he saw from camard after the interception is exactly why they got him this off season he said that mentality that leadership is what won over his teammates in the off season he's helped change the culture to a more winning culture at Miami which was needed but Mario chrisal did say we got to eliminate the dumb stuff the substitutions the burning of timeouts here in the second half second down and nine as he quickly gets it to the outside to Sam Brown first half stats are brought to you by bug Light look at the total yards 283 to 145 and the balance as well they've done a really good job running it they've done a really good job throwing it they've been trying to keep this Gator defense on their heels and with the poison decision making at the quarterback position it really has made the difference here's a big third down early in the second half third down and three here's Ward good protection and he gets it on the inside to rreo who turns around spins free and gets all that extra yardage Xavier rreo one of the best around and that is an outstanding in route by Restrepo in the slot they got him matched up with Turner the transfer safety coming from Washington he's going to run a whip he's up here running out Turner takes it puts his foot in the ground comes back to the inside in a man-to-man situation he just loses the safety it's a better matchup for cam Ward and he identified it at the line of scrimmage looking across the board at all those matchups he knows right now there's no question going to number seven see what he can do after the catch Xavier Restrepo goes for 40 yards and it's not good news for the Gators as ASA Turner they starting safety who's coming off that run to the college football playoff national championship game with Washington was a big piece of the puzzle this defensive backfield Miami opens up this second half gets right down to the four to 29 yard line ward off play action he going to check down underneath the Fletcher Fletcher look at him go inside the 10 and it's going to be first and goal GES and another great decision that time by Ward he's got Sam Brown running a deep in route it's not open and he doesn't panic he just knows he's got Fletcher in the flag checking out of the back field gets it to him early makes it easy and catchable for the running back he's able to make Sharie Denson Miss he turned it into an explosive play yeah 22 yards they have six plays now over 20 yards this is a very talented Miami offense gets it out quick again here's Brown to the corner and they're going to Mark him down inside the one yd line Sam Brown he's the transfer from Houston who they're super high on yeah they got it to him quick they got Ray Ray Joseph in the slot at receiver trying to get a block down field for him and looked like his momentum was going to carry him in but Denon who just messed the last tackle able to make this one as you take a look at this from the progressive py line that's close that's really close Joe they're going to want to take a look at that as he spins around I think he's on the body of the defender Jesse as he spins around ases his knee drag now listen it could be anything but the bottom of the shoe correct Matt Austin that's correct and and the view from the pylon cam it does look like his right shin does drag on the grass he swung around there it is and that's why I framed it that way it doesn't have to be the knee it could any part of his body outside of the bottom of the shoe and watch the shin here as Matt points out right there yeah at the further review the ruling on the field stand second down so it'll be second down from there Sam Brown is just another piece that they've added to this loaded offense he was with Houston and he had a great fall Camp he's already proven to be a huge addition when you're around the facility in the program they know it how nice now if you're the Hurricanes you've got Mark Fletcher a true sophomore 230lb battering ramp Taylor Made for these kind of situations now Lofton offset as a blocking back Fletcher the tail back as he goes up and tries to get over and it is a touchdown Mark Fletcher is in again well it was Restrepo that had the big catch and run and explosive Ive play they got this offensive business they're able to cap it off in the end we talked about in this running game there's not a lot of mystery they just line up mono imano and just go right down the middle and that time Mark Fletcher goes up and [Applause] over didn't look like the ball crossed the plane initially but he got dumped into the end zone you got to get a stop and instead it was a six playay drive that went 75 yds and again cam Ward in quick fashion and Mark Fletcher caps it 31- 10 man oh man is Miami talented obviously has already lost NC State was losing in the fourth quarter to Western Carolina Virginia teeka team who people thought could compete in the ACC they went down to Vandy today so when you look at the talent Miami has and you look at the schedule they have and you say wow could this be the year that everything they talked about now comes to fruition let's see if Florida has any sort of an answer here in this second half Graham Merz with time goes over the middle and he's able to get it complete to khil Jackson in order to do so you've got to separate from the pack now Johnson smartly just secures the ball and now they're going in the wrong direction as that's going to be spotted at the 35 yd line after that play well in week one of the Season communication issues at the line of scrimmage these are things that haunt head coaches they're worried about you try to plan for it and practice for it and simulate it during the week but you can't simulate game day conditions Gator having some issues there s a complaint by Ram Merz believe he saying hey the other side defensive line was clapping simulating the snap on me and that's why it happened so third down Joe 0 for five for the Gator so far in this game they have really struggled in this critical D and [Applause] D and now it's a third and third MERS steps up being pressured and being driven down and sacked as Simeon Barrow right on top of him Elijah ol involved as well and Jaden Harris was the first to get in there well they brought the safety off the edge and Florida's got a massive 345 lb tackle that's trying to block a much smaller guy he's just struggling with his speed he just can't get there and Cameron weights last year played at 300 60 lbs he actually trimmed down to try and help him but the speed off the edge there and a nice call by Lance G defensive coordinator by Miami mixing up the blitzes bringing it from different levels BR Shaw's fourth punt of the day Ray Ray Joseph from the 6yd line and he is met on special teams well we talked about a lot of people sizing up get game said hey missed most of last season with an injury very special player but he's throwing up against one of the best secondaries in the country at Notre Dame there's that sidearm as he goes to a Royo with blockers in front Elijah Royo and he could be a breakout star sort of has that Jimmy Grahams Body to him a Royo so it's a good decision quickly by cam Ward this time two Gators got sucked in on this RPO one's a blitz and then outside Marshall a corner he kind of gets his eyes caught inside as soon as cam waren saw that this was an easy spit out throw and ERS defensively are lucky this didn't go for more yards by the way how about little Xavier Restrepo getting out there and blocking he's in all over the field 23 yds to a royal lecher back on the ground as he lowers his shoulder but Joe you see how decisive cam is he's playing and we talked about this this match with Shannon Dawson's offense it really could be a match B in heaven and you see it he's familiar with the schemes in the passing game having played in the Air Raid Offense he's also familiar on the checks in the RPO game he knows which Defenders to key on and with his mechanics Now quickly he decides to throw he's able to just spit the football out so quickly it just makes the offense so much more efficient and there really has not been that big of a learning curve having come from Washington State there's Lyle as he will move the chains again out past Midfield and now that Miami Road grading offensive line and all the talent and running back and they're dominating the time of possession and this is what I like about Shannon Dawson's quote unquote Air Raid Offense it's not like The One Hal mummy or Mike Leech ran where they're throwing it 70 times a game he learned from The Godfather howy but he's committed to running the football so they can be finesse yes they can also be physical this offense can beat you however they need [Applause] to here's Ward steps up able to free himself launches down field inside the T and it was batted away he was looking for Sam Brown Jordan cast is playing safety back there and you want to talk about a guy that was an impact freshman a year ago got forced into the starting lineup 11 starts on the year he led the team in tackles he's got so much range he's a young player that they're going to be able to build around that was a tremendous play going up over Sam Brown and knocking that thing away he was one of the very best freshman in the country as you mentioned a year ago [Applause] second and 10 gets it up quickly again ball came loose I don't know that it was a completion but if it's aive balls in the hands of douglas douglas is returning it and they're treating it that way I don't think it was ever a catch it was definitely a forward pass I I think this is going to be deemed incomplete that's the way I saw it live Jesse let's see if the officials agree but they treated it like a live ball r on the field completion then fumble recover by Florida first down Flor I don't see a completion there well no and it also definitely wasn't a lateral I mean that Ball's moving forward right there Brown's not able to bring it in it goes down that that that should be a pretty quick review let's bring in Matt Austin our rules expert Matt yeah Jesse I agree with you 100% he never had control that for the review the rule on the field is an incomplete pass it'll be third down that's a good over it is and it's quick now it's quick and everybody says thank you for that third down and 10 Ward with time downfield and just Lofts it to Horton who secures it and Miami with their 22nd first down of the day well you can't teach heighton 6'4 it's a little double move a little stutter and jaem Jackson was really in good position on that but again there's no defense for a perfect throw and cam Ward puts that right on his face mask 27 yds he's making it look easy isn't cam w a little too much on that as he was looking for Ray Ray Joseph I mentioned 22 first downs because of the differential here it's so STK 22 first downs for Miami eight for four yeah you'd never know that this was an offense with a quarterback that had only played a half in it I mean they look like a well oiled machine communication and we thought that was going to be a big challenge new rule this year in college football headset communication between the coach and the quarterback and would cam Ward be able to communicate with his teammates would he be able to hear in this noise would be able to function it just hasn't been a problem the offense is just a well oiled [Applause] machine L and he's taken down in the back field by Shamar James who had the interception earlier today yeah he he completely blew that up and he's a guy they happy to get back healthy he missed four games the end last year with a knee injury as soon as he sees a gap he's downhill with his speed and able to make the tackle for loss so here's another big third down and who can be the guy for the Gators I mean TJ Cersei is a guy number 19 that they were really hoping could step up and assume that role right now they've got him lined up inside [Applause] third down and 11 Ward able to spin free of cersi and then goes to the endzone and in the back of the End Zone it is Jacobi George my oh my cam Wards having himself a day he's going to be successful at absolutely anything in life it just so happens he's successful at playing quarterback toobi George who only had one catch for two yards before then this puts Miami back on the board this could not have been a better week one start for the [Music] kanes in the third quarter the big new addition to Miami among many new additions to Miami unbelievable that was then and this is now ell Johnson who had a 71 yd touchdown run earlier and has driven down and driven back by mesidor I think now if you're Billy Napier obviously a lot of football left to go in this one but you're wanting to see how your football team responds down 3810 it is going to be a long grueling season with the toughest schedule and you're going to have to be able to fight adversity and right now you're finding out who on the field is going to fight and going to be in the corner all season long and when we say tough a schedule I mean we're not just talking about right now in college football as second and s that's incomplete you could say it's one of the toughest schedule you've seen in the modern era of the sport and a flag comes in late after MZ had to pick himself up off the turf that flag's going to be spotted around the 40 yd [Music] line stretch they're going to face later this year of course the new look SEC now conference SEC with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma for is going to be at Texas defense ball plac at the SP of the foul first down so what's pass interference with DK downfield but this for the schedule I'm saying not just this year in college football is at the toughest you could make an argument one of the toughest we've seen in a generation you look top to bottom your big rivalry games Tennessee Georgia Florida State all the way from the swamp non-conference is Miami UCF in the Big 12 now and of course Florida State you just look off the bottom you can't find a gimme win you can't look at Kentucky I mean they've beaten him three times in a row that's right there's MERS they go with the inside tunnel Wilson Wilson trying to weave his way along listen Wilson's their best playmaker by far but they just got to find a way to utilize yeah and find time for Graham Merz to allow Wilson to get downfield every throw we've seen to him in this game has been very short it's been jet sweeps it's been throws to the flat swing routes at some point Graham Merz needs to have time to be able to stretch the field throwing to number [Applause] three Johnson on second and five and a good run past Midfield a reminder coming up tonight it's going to be Notre Dame and Texas A&M Texas A&M has to be weary of his arm and his legs so he has arve to the stadium get ready for that Prime Time game that herk and Chris will have tonight Merz he is torn down that was Tyler Baron the big transfer from Tennessee as this loaded defensive line is showing themselves and Tyler Baron just walked a 240lb arless boardingham right back into the quarterback it's going to be up here it's just oneon-one and it's a dend against the tight end who's more of a finesse pass catcher than he is a blocker and that a not a good matchup for the Gator up front that is the third Miami sack tonight makes for a second and 17 they're going to run the ball with Johnson he is tackled for a loss he is brought down by Alon they're getting a little bit of a bare front here where Miami is really trying to cover up everybody from the Florida Gator up front so no one can get a double team on the right side here it's covered and they're covered when they run outside again boardingham just not able to get it done blocking at the point of attack seen a bad job in pass Pro and now in run blocking that's third and [Applause] 20 MZ he has time but obviously in third and 20 long way to go as he connects with Elijah Badger well the clock is starting to go off a lot faster and Merz is head nice job anticipating that throw way before Badger turned around they get a big chunk of yardage back good news bad news they're 0 for seven on third down now in another obvious passing situation they've got to help the edge they got to help these tackles because the speed for Miami up front's been a problem so here's a fourth down it's Fourth and eight as they got 12 yards back one it was third and 20 fourth down for Merz get out quickly and gets it complete for a first down that was well done to connect with the transfer Elijah Badger and that really was an NFL throw Joe that's a Widefield outbreaking route that he throws far before Badger turns around he got it out put air under he needed to too because the pressure was starting to get to him and just kind of he just rolls it out there it's firm with an arc North Turner my old offensive coordinator 49ers to say that firm with an AR just the visual makes sense as to what you're looking for the throw to be and that's what it was went for 12 yds on a first down Merz going pressure coming off the edge tried to get it to myel but it goes incomplete c yeah Cameron weights their big 340 lb right tackle is having problems right now every time Lance GID is dialing up either a linebacker Blitz or a safety Blitz that time darl Porter Junior was able to get in the back field and force that misfire they've got to help him out and it's got to be with tight end or running back in a chip Lance gri just seems like he's one step ahead here play comp and that was one of the matchups that all week long people pointed to as a distinct Advantage for Miami here's Merz he keeps it himself and slides down with a first down for Florida well MZ is not the most athletic quarterback in the country but he's a good enough Runner where you got to respect it a nice job there on the Zone read this time he sees this guy hesitate and crash he's just going to keep the football and slide didn't get down and now driving in close to the Red Zone Johnson tackled for a loss yeah Lance kid it feels like he's dialing up safety blitzes almost every play now someone's coming off the edge that time Jaden Harris coming off scott free and they're switching it up right side left sideo Maui Noah also impoved with Harris on that [Applause] Play and play drive for Florida here trailing by four touchdowns Merz that ball is picked off it is pal on the return Meese pal still on his feet Mees pal with the interception and the big return that forces Trey on web to finally tackle him and Graham Merz is still down after throwing that pass he took a massive hit from Tyler Baron right after he let go of it hoping grah Merz is okay you see him wincing in pain after throwing this ball and getting rocked and me pal returned the int and the canes are whipping up a storm here in Gainesville this is seen moments ago as MERS was taken off the field after that big Collision he absorbed yeah Miami or Florida's you know looking at this again I think Miami's lucky that wasn't roughing the passer because it looked like 93 Anthony Campbell swatted gram Merz right in the face but nothing was [Applause] called final moments here of the third quarter and already the most points given up by a Florida team in a home opener ever as in 117 seasons of football ball ever 38-10 Martinez looking for anything can't find much against that Florida Front TJ Cersei and the rest of them on the tackle and who knows maybe we'll see DJ lagway DJ lagway is the most coveted freshman quarterback he was the big recruit number one quarterback recruit in the class of 23 and the future of Florida is bright with DJ lagway and we may see his first college action in moments better not back down with the schedule florid is playing this year number one in strength at schedule they started against this loaded Miami team 38- 10 as we start the fourth quarter with the new additions to the Miami backfield Ward and Martinez as they go with Restrepo on the end of round looking to pass and he does and it nearly was completed to Sam Brown so opens up with Sam Brown you've got to put two hands up and make that catch I know how many times this year Xavier Restrepo is going to get an opportunity to do that that was actually a really good looking throw I think Sam Brown at the end of this kind of got lazy man that is going to be an interesting wide receiving meeting room when they go back and look at this as you take a look on the Progressive pylon cam oh he can't believe it himself he's like bro so just only going to catch for cam W you're going to make nice catches and get both feet down at the back of the end zone you're not going to try for me third and nine for cam Ward as he's being chased nearly back to Midfield and he launches it away that was sap who was coming after him let's look at rreo throw again you know in film this week he's going to be saying all week long Sam but Sam you could have yeah you left me out to dry I know you're new here you're just showing up from University of Houston but you got to put two hands up around here to try to make catches the good news is though for Xavier is he's going to get another opportunity from Shannon Dawson at some point this season I mean he's not going to get it in the stat book that should have been a touchdown pass but he has earned another throw in my opinion and Bor Gallas comes on for the field goes older brother Jose won the L Ros award four years ago Mario chrisal said I wish the boralis family had even more children that one is off the mark one of the best kickers in the country and you hear the from the crowd because DJ lagway is on the field who is he well he was the best quarterback in high school football coming out and Florida landed him the true freshman that they've been waiting to see from Willis Texas one of the coaches told us this week we're going to rip the Band-Aid [Applause] off so say hello to college football DJ [Applause] lagway as trayon web tries to push ahead well he's a big body 6'3 240 lb was the number one ranked dual threat QB Prospect coming out of high school he has a lot of people excited because he just has things he can't coach he has tremendous arm Talent a very quick release he's also an excellent Runner and the Zone read game becomes more of a priority now I think for Billy Napier with lagway in the [Applause] game and lagway is taken down for a tackle for loss by Tyler Baron the veteran he played at Tennessee and then came over to Miami yeah and that's one probably DJ leg way had it hand off Tyler Baron was basically at a full stop and not the right read on that zone read and you know this is again a true freshman getting his first action we weren't sure when we were going to see him but I don't think anybody anticipated it would be under these circumstances the gr Merz going down with an injury down 38 to1 third down and 12 for the true freshman game one against this Miami team there's lagway trying to extend the play on Third and 12 throws it down field and incomplete as he was looking for Chim [Applause] DK tell you Tyler Baron for Miami is having one heck of a game he has just been wrecking this game so disruptive coming off the edge you could talk all you want about cam Ward and Damen Martinez and Mech Powell and all these other guys they brought in how about number n for Miami and the presence that he's brought with Ruben Bane injured remember for Miami out the edge number nine Tyler Baron man he has really picked up the slack he's been impressive he had a strong four years at Tennessee had 13 and 1 half sacks there let this ball bounce and it will do so and down inside the 25 yd line crowd at the plaza of the Americans know you were doing a great job playing to the jib camera you're out of control oh you were doing a great job showing off the J Palmer line there new book congratulations on that yeah it's available on fanatics.com you'll be available this month elevated sports apparel Jo T is that the te is that the log line is that the log line we're going with that's what we're going with right now it needs to be breathable because I mean we are just sweating through everything here the suit everything you name it it's just soaked it's a long day to be sitting in the heat when your team is down by 28 points and you're facing cam Warden this offense Jordan ly the running back he's from Fort Lauderdale he's the top running back recruit in the country he was originally committed and here he is ly to Penn State and then he flipped him to play for Mario Chrystal ball college football rankings are brought to you by All State and listen you can say what you were on about the rankings early in the season right you got some random numbers next to teams names and it all gets shook up and as we get these results yeah no doubt about it and I think now that we're finally starting to play games you're you're you're kind of getting a little bit of a taste of what the picture might be and The Season's obviously very very early right now but after Florida State Went Down to Georgia Tech last week in Dublin we saw Clemson struggle with Georgia today Joe just from an eye test standpoint I would say right now Miami is the best team in the ACC oh I think that's a very fair assessment at this point cam Ward cannot get free as he was taken down there uh camard can also not get injured no and so you're Mario CIS ball 38-10 with less than 12 minutes to go in a game that seemingly is in hand uh I think you might want to start putting him on a bit of a pitch count and Emory Williams has experienced the Young quarterback who many viewed as the future of the program played five games last year and then he had the arm fracture in November Dyan Joyce on to punt for The KES DK Fields it near the 30 yd line decent return out to about the 42 yd line they lost that game but he was really really good he's going to be thrown against Benjamin Morrison though one of the best corners in the country a loaded secondary DJ lagway the true freshman quarterback getting playing time and there's his first completion of his college career as as it goes to Trey Wilson and you see the natural arm talent and also the quick release when DJ lagway commits to this throw it comes out fast and it just looks a little bit different you're right those are just things you can't coach he has that and I think that's one reason why this coaching staff and these fans are so excited about the future here a year ago he was the national Gatorade player of the year for high school football now Merz got injured earlier and with the score this way no matter it's good time for lagway as he connects with Wilson again I like the idea calling plays and it's easy slant completions to try to get the true freshman in her Rhythm and honestly it's been pretty good coverage by Miami but the arm Talent by lagway is just fitting it into very small windows and also really good location for Wilson listen covering Florida recruiting is sort of a sport unto itself and DJ lag's Recruitment and getting him here to campus was an incredible story for the Gators as takes it ahead here and for those who do that they will tell you he is considered to be the most significant recruit going all the way back to Tim Tim TBO yeah DJ and because he's the type of guy that other recruits are going to want to here to Gainesville to play with if you're a wide receiver you're going to want to catch passes from this guy a lot of people believe he has the ability to change and turn the trajectory this program and maybe in a few years that shirt will say I miss DJ lag yeah exactly shirt says I miss Tim TBO second and nine short pitch Jackson with a nice run jacobe Jackson the jco transfer in 20123 well and you wonder coming into this game just how many plays this coaching staff had ready for DJ lagway if in fact he was going to play but here's a big Advantage you now have the communication from the coach to the quarterback on the headset and you can use some of the time to coach him up a little bit you can guide him you can say hey if they Blitz make sure you're thinking about this make sure the receiver lines up in this place if they play this coverage you want to think about throwing to this guy Billy Napier can help his true freshman quarterback a little more than you could a year ago first down play action lague that ball was deflected and Falls incomplete a few weeks ago you and I had a lengthy conversation about the coach to player communication the headset and the helmet and one of the things that we discussed was the advantage for young players it's like training wheels them right yeah and this is a perfect example for that get him to play quickly and you allow him to communicate that with the teammates but you have until there's 15 seconds left on the play clock before the communication shuts off you can use that time to just hold his hand a little bit and help him with his thought [Applause] process second and 10 Jackson again cannot find anything this time as motans see senior made the tackle and these are all learning moments there's Russ Callaway a co-offensive coordinator for Florida and obviously you've got a young true freshman you want to kind of manage him but but you've got to kind of throw him in the fire at this point based on what's happened you don't know how much longer you're going to need him to play we don't know the extent of gr mz's injury but literally every down right now is a learning experience for this true freshman quarterback [Applause] 2 third down and 12 fl W steps up now he's going to have to run it and he's going to do so and get the first down and set up a first and goal so listen there's some hope here for Florida fans Not For Today necessarily but for this season and the future yeah listen and I'm not trying to create a QB controversy with Grant Merz but it looks a little different when lagway throws it and it looks a little different when lagway runs it as you saw right there first and [Applause] goal flue trying to get his first touchdown pass but AR Bingham couldn't reach out important to point out too though Joe what been impressive with DJ legue here he's leading what's looked like the best Drive of the game against Miami's first team defense that's a great point Miami has not subbed out a lot of their players so the progressive pylon cam here giving you another look at just how close boardingham came to making this a touchdown but it's been a nice drive we've seen a little bit of poise from the true freshman quarterback here in the last few [Applause] minutes Webb trying to spin his way in for a touchdown and it is a score for Florida and their first points I mean he's unimpressed by that I mean look what's in your right hand find the positives their first points since that 71 yd touchdown run that came in the second quarter well Trey Webb is a guy that they're they're hoping can take some of the the workload off of Montreal Johnson this last hand off to Webb he spins off a tackler right hand goes down it's just the Palm it's no forearm no elbow so he still up for the left hand I mean and then doesn't look like the knee was down before he broke the playing with the ball and obviously you have to have the video evidence to prove it and star recruit out of Trinity Christian just up the road in Jacksonville that's a challenging angle as well great body control after further review the ruler on the field stands touchdown and it is a touchdown for the Gator so DJ lagway the true freshman quarterback manages the drive nine plays 58 yards just over four minutes here in the fourth quarter leading him down for a score against the starting defense in Miami and then Trey smack smacks it through and oh see concrete wall guys now smiling kick off return back against you know who the Florida gay so that's my first time well welcoming to the on the college level can he still take one back today most definitely and to come out and see this what they these guys put on today was very impressive and I can't wait till to see next games thank you so much for the time thank you so much for having and Devon Hester knows the guy who was most impressive was cam W who's still in the game here yeah he is well I think he'd be out of the game had DJ lagway not LED that touchdown draw 21 points crazier things have happened remember if you're Miami and what happened late in the game against Georgia Tech a year ago it it you know that that's something that kind of lingers and I know the Situation's a little bit different but you'd want to keep this thing in hand I don't think you're going to see cam W throw it again I think you're going to see a lot of handoffs to the 230lb running back beside him Damen Martinez Martinez the big Bruiser from Oregon State he was there for a couple years ran for over 2100 yards playing for Oregon [Music] State here's Ward scram gamling around casually slings it downfield and gets it complete inside the 20 he is almost too relax Jesse it's unbelievable nonchalant and his body language reminds me a little bit of JD Daniels that time again going to his left side aring it back to Elijah aroyo and this coach staff is staying aggressive they're still letting Ward throw it down the field um whether he's been in the pocket Joe whether been outside it's it's looked really really good outside of that one interception he's been virtually Flawless in this game 351 yards and three touchdowns and showing these momes esque arm angles time and again short pitch to Martinez Martinez looking for something into the boundary not going to find much just goes ahead for a yard before he's driven out yeah and and the clock keeps running and that's a veteran run by a veteran running back there understanding the situation you're trying to bleed the clock not running out of bounds not stopping it you know Joe you're a boxing pundit you're you're an expert you're the best play by play guy in the business these these big body runs by the canes right these two three yard gains in the first quarter it was like body blows box yeah they're body shots they take your legs away and you're you're you're kind of counting on the fact late in games those two and three yard gains become seven and eight yard gains as we often say when we're calling a fight ringside and you continually are taking to the body you're breaking a man's will right you're breaking a defense's will and desire to tackle desire to engage great Point by you as Martinez but you see how the mus ahead the pile's just moving a little bit differently now and it's big bodies up front but it's also 230 lb running back and Fletcher and martinz toing the rock as well this is going to be a problem for defenses all year long facing Miami your physicality and your will is going to be tested and much like in a fight if you make those deposits in the early and middle rounds if you commit to the power running game in the first and second and third quarter you get the payoff in the later round you get the payoff in the fourth you got to be patient you deposit into the bank with the body shot you deposit into the bank with the power of running game here's third and five Ward out of the back field threw a little behind Damen Martinez so it goes incomplete but I mean it's it's so nice as an offense to be able to to say you know what we can go out and we can make deposits early in game we can run the football and we've got some talent in the back field and we recruited well in the offensive line and oh yeah by the way we've got a guy who Heisman Trophy campaign just kicked off today here in Gainesville he listen that's a real conversation it it did and I know listen it's way too early but you think about their schedule you think about the conference you think about where they're going to be lining up potentially for the college football playoff and how special a year could be with the talent as Bor Gallas will put it through he's going to be a guy if he can stay healthy if he can stay healthy he's going to be a guy cam Ward knows what he's good at doing at the quarterback position and how to affect him or is it Riley Leonard that knows Mike elco's defensive schemes having practiced against it all the time in this game it's going to be a cat and mouse match up there's Jaden ball the true freshman from Atlanta who they're very high on his future as a running back and kick returner on the return and the attraction of that program and I think Conor wigman quarterback is a is a great example of that a guy that if he can stay healthy they can be special offensively short pitch to ball and ball Cuts back and goes up field tell you they they've got two good-look athletes in the back field in Florida both true freshman and we talked about DJ lagway at 240 lbs how about Jaden ball at 235 lbs I got at the Miami Hurricanes recruited Bama Georgia Michigan defending national champion all wanted number two and number 13 those are two guys that you might see lined up beside each other for years to come here in Gainesville here is DJ lagway DJ lagway slides down just short of that line to gain so DJ lagway who guided them down the field with the touchdown drive just goes for seven yards there he has 20 yds rushing he's got 31 passing but he got great support when he came on the field from these fans they believe he is the entire future of the Florida program and he's getting time right away and was hit as he throws that time and it goes for an interception that's incredible that Jaden Harris was laying on his back and the ball just happened to land on him as burrow got in phoh got in and made the hit on lweight the ball literally landed on Jaden Harris for an interception well it's a really interesting blocking scheme from the Gators they're trying to get their Center all the way outside to block Barrow and Jake Slaughter is not able to get there nice job by Barrow exploding out of his stance and getting penetration into the back field getting the hand up he forces the errant throw also a really nice catch by Harr on his back for Florida and Miami in Gainesville I don't know man Joe it's like just when you look at Miami maybe year three could be a magical year for Mario crystal ball here in I mean like they've got the talent through high school and through the portal he's got two coordinators that are now in the second year running their system so there's a little bit more familiarity they've got the schedule you think about last year Steve sarkeesian kayin dor taking their teams to the college football playoff in their third years Urban Meer won a national title in his third year at Ohio State Les Miles in 2007 did Brian Kelly went to the national championship game in his third year at Notre Dame I mean that year has been special and we've seen it before and when you look at this team in the trenches that is where I look at them and say they are different he's an offensive line guy so you know what you're always getting there but the defensive line and the additions there and we will talk more about that when we come up and really size up Miami on the national front in this infrequently played rivalry game between the canes and the Gators all hurricane fans wanted to see what cam Ward would look like well house 350 yards and three touchdown passes look or you can add to the yardage with Lofton Elijah Lofton this is an athletic freak out of Las Vegas the true freshman HB back who so versatile so strong was is the top ranked tight ends in the country coming out of high school and he gave you a glimpse there Jesse Yeah from the PowerHouse Bishop Gorman High School in Vegas as you mentioned and I mean they're loaded at receiver they're loaded at running back they're good on the offensive line and you've seen Elijah Royo you've seen cam McCormick and now Elijah Lofton getting involved at the tight end position too lots of competitive depth not just not just good starters but good backups good third stringers when they come in the game there's not a lot of drop off Jesse they have over 500 yards of offense against this Ron Roberts defense Ron Roberts one of the veteran defensive coordinators Austin Armstrong still on the staff as second season the cdcs they felt very good about a lot of the additions they made to this defensive group and Miami has gone for 524 yards of total offense here on the road at Florida I think the the most disappointing thing for Florida in this from a defensive standpoint is just it's a lot of the same mistakes from a season ago Joe a lot of it hasn't been cleaned up or fixed it's early in the year you got a game against for neck Miss tackles busts not enough pass R Us there's a lot that needs to improve the Gators are going to be competitive with that schedule AJ Allen going to close things out at running back for Miami a reminder you got Notre Dame and Texas A&M coming up spectacular opening week of college football boy what a fun time we had in Ireland by the way I mean week zero ever been better than that with the Georgia Tech big win against Florida State and now you roll that right into this week one in a phenomenal environment here at the swamp it was rocking early you can't say enough about the Miami Hurricanes though and cam the thing I'm going to take away from this performance from him Joe it's not just the throwing and the talent and his ability to run but the poison how he handled situations right the way he responded after throwing an interception leading his team down for a touchdown how he played with the two minute situation at the end of the first half scrambling around not throwing it away but throwing a beautiful touch down pass at the end of the third quarter the moment was never too big for him he was able to handle this crowd at the swamp it's hard to imagine a better first game and Mario christall has got to be very pleased not just with Cam Ward but his football team really in all three phases