Canes Open ACC Play As Tar Heels Head South

By Garin Turner

North Carolina (4-1, 1-0 ACC) are on the road on Saturday as they face a Miami Hurricanes (2-2, 0-0 ACC) team that’s been off for two weeks. Miami last took the field on Sept. 24 in a 45-31 upset against Middle Tennessee. The Hurricanes started the season 2-0 before dropping its last two. The Tarheels won last week 41-10 against Virginia Tech. 

The Tarheels lead the series 14-11. While the Hurricanes have struggled in its past two games, the Tarheels have given up the most yards per game (450.8) in the ACC. Another thing to watch in the game is Miami’s run defense (85 yards per game allowed) against North Carolina’s running backs (187.6 per game). 

Omarion Hampton has 293 yards on the season and five touchdowns on 56 attempts for the Tarheels. QB Drake Maye has 52 carries for 255 yards and three scores. In the air, Maye has 1,594 yards with 19 touchdowns and just one interception. Maye is seventh in the nation in passing yards and tied for first in passing touchdowns. 

LB Cedric Gray leads North Carolina in tackles (54) and interceptions (2). LB Noah Taylor has 2.5 sacks while DL Kaimon Rucker and LB Power Echols both have 2. 

For Miami, QB Tyler Van Dyke has 809 passing yards and four touchdowns. Henry Parrish Jr. has 359 rushing yards and four touchdowns. In Miami’s two wins, Parrish Jr. has rushed for 108.5 yards. In the two losses, 71 yards. Thaddius Franklin Jr. has five touchdowns and 162 yards. 

The Hurricanes will look to minimize the big play. Against Middle Tennessee they gave up passes of 98, 89, 71, and 69 yards.

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