Movie Assessment: Iowa State Cyclones 42 – Miami Hurricanes 41

The Iowa State Cyclones defeated the Miami Hurricanes 42-41 within the 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl. Miami held a 3 level lead going into the half however with Cam Ward on the bench noticed that lead flip into the ‘Canes third loss in 4 video games.

The Canyonero Keys to Victory over ISU had been:

1- Win Bully Ball. 308 speeding yards on 7.9 yards per try with two TD’s is a win within the Bully Ball class for the offense. Miami’s protection allowed ISU to rack up 145 speeding yards on 4.7 yards per carry and three of their very own TD’s.

2- Win the turnover battle. The Hurricanes opened the sport with a foul snap and fumble that Damien Martinez ought to’ve slid on versus making an attempt to scoop. From there Miami fumbled away one drive and threw a decide to seal the sport on a hail mary. ISU didn’t flip the ball over a single time of their PTB victory.

3- Keep away from expensive penalties. Miami performed much less idiotic than common however nonetheless had 15 extra penalty yards referred to as towards them, together with a clothesline of Rocco Becht by Simon Barrow Jr. We’ll get into Barrow later.

The Doppler

Each Miami and Iowa State completed 9-of-17 on third and 4th downs mixed. ISU out carried out their regular third down numbers whereas being constant to their season lengthy 4th down numbers. Miami stayed true to their season on each downs.

Miami turned the ball over three occasions whereas the Cyclones got here away with a turnover free recreation. The ‘Canes protection lacks playmakers and it confirmed on just a few sure-fire sacks that had been slipped and with underneath and overthrown balls that weren’t picked off.

Miami was penalized six occasions for 45 yards in comparison with ISU’s two penalties for 30 yards. The Hurricanes nonetheless lack the self-discipline Mario Cristobal likes to say is a trademark of his program.

Andres Borregales was excellent as soon as once more making each discipline targets and all 5 further factors. Borregales shall be enormously missed subsequent season as Miami tries to cobble collectively two kickers to switch him on placekicking and kickoff duties.

Jordan Lyle regarded stable on kickoffs with 23 yards per return and may very well be a weapon again deep in 2025. I used to be excited in regards to the pretend punt run from Elija Lofton as effectively. He’ll be a enjoyable weapon to have in case you keep in mind guys like Larry Facilities, Frank Wycheck and Miami’s own- Najeh Davenport.

The Miami Offense

When Cam Ward was on the sector the offense, apart from a boneheaded unhealthy snap play, was unstoppable. Ward averaged 10 yards per move try on three TD’s with zero INT’s.

Elijah Arroyo and Damien Martinez flashed their NFL potential towards ISU’s protection as effectively. Arroyo averaged 16 yards per catch with a TD and Martinez pounded the Clones for 12.8 yards per rush and his personal rating.

Mark Fletcher didn’t fairly have Martinez’s urgency to receives a commission now however nonetheless hit 5.4 yards per carry with a TD. Fletcher did fumble the soccer over to ISU, nonetheless.

Joshisa Dealer caught three balls for 20.3 yards per carry and a rating, whereas Lofton additionally hauled in a 17-yard reception.

The Miami offensive line didn’t permit a single sack and solely two tackles for loss.

Now to the flip facet: Emory Williams isn’t beginning QB materials for the 2025 season. Shannon Dawson isn’t a QB developer, that was Dana Holgorsen’s job at WVU and Houston. Williams averaged 1.9 yards per try with an INT on the Hail Mary whereas having a number of balls batted down.

Above- Zach Carpenter’s unhealthy snap with a zero approach over him was disappointing. Alex Mirabal must develop a middle for 2025. It will possibly’t simply be Portal Kombat and one yr leases yearly for the captain of the OL.

Above– Martinez ended his season at Miami with an incredible recreation. Right here he takes energy to the home for 70+ yards. Jalen Rivers will make a hell of a pulling guard within the NFL.

Above– Arroyo works up and out to the numbers which opens the sail route for George. A pleasant head pretend from George helps free himself up.

Above– Ward has his faults however the man can do a few of the little issues rather well. Nice play-fake and excellent contact on this TD move. Nobody else might get this however George. Should you’re throwing again of the top zone it needs to be excessive and away.

Above– Ward’s means to throw on the run will assist him within the NFL the place defenders are hybrids and the place everybody can run.

Above– One other play-action with the run recreation cooking and an exquisite TD catch and throw from Ward to Arroyo. A pair of NFL gamers in 2025 getting the sport again to 28-all.

Above– With Williams at QB, ISU knew Miami would run the ball. They load the field, put everybody on the LOS and with Martinez on the market’s no probability for Miami. I don’t even see an RPO or learn tag right here. Only a straight give.

The Miami Protection

Rocco Becht averaged 7.5 yards per try and scored 4 occasions (three passing, one speeding) with out a turnover towards a as soon as proud ‘Canes protection. Becht scrambled round and ducked sacks whereas trying like a C-rate Cam Ward for ISU.

Clones RB Carson Hansen averaged 5.1 yards per carry with two speeding TD’s because the workhorse again. Hansen additionally caught a TD within the crimson zone on a play I predicted would give Miami matches within the Movie Forecast.

Picture by Julio Aguilar/Getty Photos

Jaylin Noel was allowed to go off catching eight balls for 117 yards and a rating. TE Gabe Burkle and WR Isaiah Alston additionally had stable video games. Burkle averaged 13.5 yards per seize with a TD and Alston 26 yards per catch (39-yards got here on one reception).

The ISU O-Line surrendered one sack and six TFL’s however did the job when it counted serving to Becht push into the top zone to safe the win and Pop-Tarts Bowl MVP trophy.

Above– There are six OL/TE gamers to Miami’s left facet of the ISU heart, and solely three Miami DL. Miami left three DL on the nub facet over basically two OL. Nobody bumped down a spot and no LB instructed anybody to bump down. It’s low Soccer IQ.

Above– It was 4th and 1 and ISU ran a energy g toss Iso. The pull and toss motion attracts the LB outdoors and the RB and FB are headed inside.

Above– Why are TE’s so harmful in school and the NFL? Mismatches. Get a stable 6-5 man with vertical on a 6-1 LB that’s bulked as much as cease the run and also you’ve obtained a pleasant crimson zone goal.

Above– Break up zone is one among my favourite ideas as a result of you may run it with the RB, identical facet or reverse, RPO tags can be utilized play-action for a unadorned boot, and the QB can run it, too. Miami’s monitoring and tackling are an F- on this recreation.

Above– I simply don’t know how the communication and Soccer IQ on the again finish is that this unhealthy. I’ve nothing else to say.

Above– Nice play design. The OL followers out left and the QB appears to be like left. The RB works to the flat on the alternative facet. Add within the movement dragging the CB in and the nook route pulling the security and so they stroll in for a TD. Miami has no communication to ‘change’ on an in-out name.

Above– Have a staff that has horrible imaginative and prescient and communication? Use movement to confuse their OODA Loop after which whip again in once you usually slide out. All the time throw in need of the purpose line low and slide down.

Above– Miami hit the portal exhausting for any life at CB and S and for this reason. There’s nothing on this roster to work with. Beginning with the teaching employees. Fireplace the CB coach, fireplace Lance Guidry and transfer on already.

Above– The Miami DB truly thinks he could make a play on this soccer. This tells you the way poor their visual-cognitive expertise actually are.

The Wrap

For 2 weeks all we heard about was how sturdy the tradition is at Miami. Cristobal has nice tradition. His top-5 NFL draft decide QB is taking part in as a result of he’s a winner who needs to win.

I assumed Cam Ward was insane for taking part in, regardless of the bag or the ‘report’ he set. Let’s face it, that report has an asterisk anyway since 71 TD’s had been thrown on the FCS degree. It’s a cute report, however it’s not even an actual factor.

After which he didn’t play within the 2nd half. I actually thought he ought to John Kruk the factor after the report setting TD (for reference, Kruk obtained a single to maneuver his lifetime batting common to .300 and went house). For all of the ‘he doesn’t care about stats or the Heisman Trophy, simply profitable’ cliches we heard it certain appears to be like like each mattered so much to him.

So Ward didn’t play the 2nd half after I thought he shouldn’t play in any respect. That’s superb. He left Cristobal and Co. with a 3 level lead and did the suitable factor for his future- sat out and tried to assist Williams.

I get why followers and message boards attempt to hype a participant or a call, however that is proof that sooner or later individuals want to order each their commentary and expectations to their group texts.

Xavier Restrepo sat out to organize for the Senior Bowl and NFL Mix– that’s superb. He’s earned that proper. Ward was ‘taking part in as a result of he’s a dawg,’ he type of performed, and that’s superb, too.

Miami’s tradition continues to be unhealthy. A participant punching a helmet carrying teammate on the sideline exhibits you the way silly the staff is. The unhealthy snap to open the sport with a turnover exhibits why these coveted bowl practices are a waste of time.

Cristobal nonetheless performed George after his 15-yard penalty versus Syracuse. The tradition continues to be unhealthy. Miami ended the season shedding three of their final 4 video games and can head into the low season with no lifelike beginning QB for spring soccer.

Bear in mind- tradition at all times appears to be like nice when it’s a sunny day and also you’re pounding Ball State by 40 factors. It’s just a little extra cloudy once you’re struggling to cease Iowa State’s forty seventh ranked offense per SP+ and your head coach is settling for discipline targets as an alternative of going for a recreation main TD.

Mario Cristobal has confirmed again and again he can’t handle a soccer recreation and he’s going to want a brand new defensive coordinator and one other generational QB to get again to the Pop-Tarts Bowl in 2025.