Take Five Breakdown: Florida-No. 19 Miami Preview

Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators

• Running Visitor List for the UF-Miami Game
• 10 Observations: Florida Opening Day Depth Chart
• Predicting Who Plays: Seven signees most likely to avoid redshirt season
• Florida Football Preseason Superlatives
• Early Entry Review: Lagway embarks on promising future
• Redshirt Report: High football IQ will serve Kearney well
• Anonymous Player Q&A I: Thoughts on the state of Florida football
• O&B Board: Uninformed Thoughts on Florida’s NIL
• Under Napier, Florida has a clear recruiting footprint

The first week of the 2024 season arrives with much on the line as Florida takes on instate rival, No. 19 Miami. To get a better feel for the Hurricanes, Inside the Gators caught up with Carter Lutz of the Miami Hurricane Student Newspaper for a full preview.

Five Miami Hurricanes to Know

Cam Ward, Quarterback, Senior

• Washington State transfer Cam Ward will make his official debut for the Hurricanes at the Swamp. Last year for the Cougars, Ward completed 323-of-485 passes for 3,735 yards and 25 touchdowns. Also, he rushed for eight touchdowns. The ‘Canes haven’t had a consistent quarterback for quite some time. There is a lot of hype surrounding the 22-year-old with some even naming him the savior of the program. “He’s probably the biggest transfer that the school has seen, maybe ever,” Lutz said.

Damien Martinez, Running Back, Junior

• Not only do Miami fans believe they have the No.1 quarterback from the transfer portal, but they believe Oregon State transfer Damien Martinez ranks at the top of the transfer portal at running back. Martinez was selected to the All-Pac 12 First Team in both his Freshman and Sophomore years. He rushed for just under 1,200 yards last season and had six 100-yard rushing performances, including a 123-yard two touchdown game against No.5 Washington. “He’s a 6-foot, 232-pound running back,” Lutz said. “He’s got a lot of expectations.” The Hurricanes have other quality backs, but Martinez is expected to be the standout of this backfield.

Elijah Arroyo, Tight End, Redshirt Junior

• Elijah Arroyo is finally healthy after two long years full of injuries. The Texan was forced to medically redshirt his sophomore year and only saw action in four games in 2023. This past Spring though, he lit it up in training camp. Arroyo even received hand offs during the spring game. The 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end is clearly an athlete and could be someone who takes the Gators by surprise. “Watch out for Arroyo,” Lutz said. “I think he can be a target early and often.”

Rueben Bain, Jr., Defensive Line, Sophomore

• Up next is the 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year Rueben Bain Jr. Bain was selected to every Freshman All-America Team, earned 44 total tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and led all defensive lineman with 7.5 sacks. The 6-foot-3, 275-pound Miami native looks to make Graham Mertz tremble in the pocket. “After last year, he’s pretty much looking to be the anchor of the defense,” Lutz said. “He’s definitely going to be an NFL guy.”

Francisco Mauigoa, Linebacker, Senior

• Another former Washington State Cougar Francisco “Kiko” Mauigoa is set for another big season. He took his talents to South Beach last year and earned 82 total tackles, a team high, 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one interception. “He kinda flew under the radar,” Lutz said. “He was our top middle linebacker and was the top defender on the team.” Kiko started every game last season and was a huge reason why Miami finished over .500. His brother Francis is also on the team and was recruited to Miami as a five-star offensive lineman.

Five Fast Facts

• The last time these two teams met was in 2019 in a game played in Orlando, Florida, for the season opener. Three plays after a 65-yard bomb from Feleipe Franks to Josh Hammond, Franks rushed in a three-yard touchdown for the go-ahead score, winning the game 24-20.
• Both teams have met each other twice in bowl games with Miami winning both times by 17 points (The 2001 Sugar Bowl and 2004 Peach Bowl).
• Since 2001, Miami has a 5-2 record against Florida, and leads the series 29-27.
• The only time Florida and Miami didn’t play during a 49 year stretch between 1938-1987 was in 1943 due to the Gators not having enough players to field a team. This was because most of the squad withdrew and enlisted in the U.S. military during World War II.
• The last time Florida beat Miami at the Swamp was a 26-3 blowout on September 6, 2008, during the Gators’ road to winning their third national championship.

Five Game Day Storylines

Coaches on the Hotseat

• Both Billy Napier and Mario Cristobal are entering their third years as head coaches of their respective programs. Success has not come on the field and fans have their thoughts known all over social media. “Both programs are spending a lot of money, both used to be premier teams,” Lutz said. “Both should be good teams with the way recruiting is in Florida overall.” A win on Saturday will cool down the heat for one side while raising the pressure for the other.

Can the Gators Stop the Hurricane Offense?

• New talented quarterback, new stud running back and a returning solid wideout in Xavier Restrepo. This loaded Miami offense is taking on a Gator defense that was ranked No.10 and No.11 in the SEC in total defense in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Yes, Florida has made major improvements on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, but will it be enough? “If they play how they are supposed to play and Cam Ward does what people think he’s going to do, they are going to be a pretty electric offense,” Lutz said.

Montrell Johnson Jr.

• With Trevor Etienne long gone, Montrell Johnson Jr. is expected to be the clear lead back this season. On Wednesday night, Johnson was cleared and listed on Florida’s roster after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. On Monday’s press conference, Napier said “We have a good group. You’ll see several guys throughout the season. It’s competitive.” It won’t be a surprise if Sophomore Treyaun Webb and Freshman Jadan Baugh get a lot of carries on Saturday.

Florida Receiver Room

• Rickey Pearsall was just 35-yards shy of eclipsing the 1,000 yards mark last season. It will be interesting to see if one of Florida’s receivers can get past that hump this season, a feat which hasn’t been accomplished since 2002. Tre Wilson is the only returning starter in this talented wide receiver room. Florida added Elijhah Badger and Chimere Dike from the transfer portal while Aidan Mizell joins the rotation after redshirting last season. These wideouts are all extremely talented. Graham Mertz will have talent all over the field this season, which may prevent someone from being the No.1 guy on this offense.

Not Just Another Rivalry

• The Hurricanes are finally back in the Swamp for the first time since 2008. Since then, both programs have lacked major success. Fans are tired of disappointing season after disappointing season and are itching for something to believe in. A win on Saturday will not only give one of these schools bragging rights until September 2025, but rally their fans behind them for the rest of the season.

Prediction

• Joseph Torviso: UF 27-20
• Carter Lutz: UM 27-17

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