The Miami Hurricanes were hit with another early-season injury blow at Wake Forest, and this one landed almost immediately.
Ahmad Moten Sr. went down on Miami’s first defensive drive of the game with an upper body injury, adding another setback to a defense that has already been fighting through absences. The source describes it as another shoulder injury for the Canes, and Moten’s status matters even more because he has already battled injuries throughout the College Football Playoff and during Spring and Fall Camp.
That’s a brutal loss for Miami’s front. Moten is described as arguably the team’s best defensive lineman, and his absence would leave the Hurricanes even thinner with two other starting cornerbacks also out. Miami’s defense, already stretched, has been forced to absorb too many hits game after game.
The good news for the Hurricanes came in the second quarter, when Moten returned to the field. His presence immediately made a difference and helped plug up the run defense.
Miami will still need more than just Moten back to steady things. Damon Wilson II is expected to be a key piece, and the source says he is due. The Hurricanes also need transfer players to hold up their end, especially with another one of those strange ACC Friday nights threatening to turn chaotic again.
The source also laid out the lineups for both teams at the time of reporting.
Miami’s offense featured Darian Mensah and Luke Nickel at quarterback, Mark Fletcher and CharMar Brown at running back, and receivers Cooper Barkate, Vandrevius Jacobs, Malachi Toney, Daylyn Upshaw, and Josh Moore. Elija Lofton and Gavin Mueller were listed at tight end, with Samson Okunlola, Joel Ervin, Jackson Cantwell, Ryan Rodriguez, SJ Alofaituli, Ben Congdon, Max Buchanan, Matthew McCoy, and Jaden Wilkerson along the line.
Wake Forest’s offense listed Gio Lopez and Steele Pizzela at quarterback, Ty Clark III and Deuce Lawrence at running back, and Antonio Meeks, Jack Foley, Kam Shanks, Drayden Dickmann, Carlos Hernandez, and Bryce Kania at receiver. Will Loerzel and Dominick Berry were at tight end, with Tolu Olajide, Elliot Demaine, Clinton Richard, Fletcher Turk, Will Way, John Ohenigan, Ryan Berger, Jack Hines, Aidan Martin, and George Steih up front.
On defense, Miami lined up with Armondo Blount and Herbert Scroggins III at end, Justin Scott and Keona Davis at tackle, Ahmad Moten and Jarquez Carter at tackle, Damon Wilson and Marquise Lightfoot at end, Chase Smith and Bobby Pruitt at WILL, Mo Toure and Kamal Bonner at MIKE, Ethan O'Connor and Camdin Portis at corner, Xavier Lucas and Damari Brown at corner, Bryce Fitzgerald and Omar Thornton at safety, Zechariah Poyser and JJ Dunnigan at safety, and Omar Thornton and Camdin Portis at nickel.
Wake Forest’s defensive group included Gabe Kirschke and Tyler Walton at end, Zach Lohavichan and Matt Herron at tackle, Dallas Afalava and Kadear Dembele at tackle, Langston Hardy and Camden Hardy at end, Frank Cusano and Deuce Dyce at WILL, Aiden Hall and Vincent Firenze at MIKE, Deuve Blades II and Somad Eaddy at corner, Ashaad Williams and Travon West at corner, Davaughn Patterson and Myles Turpin at safety, Rushaun Tongue and Micah Bright at safety, and Braylon Johnson and Zamari Stevenson at nickel.
In Other News...
Miami Win Is Suddenly Secondary After CharMar Brown Scare
Miamis halftime lead over Wake Forest was the kind of clean, steady start the Hurricanes wanted, with multiple players getting involved in the scoring and the offense putting some separation on the board. CharMar Brown had also been part of that effort this season, piling up 97 rushing yards and a touchdown on 13 carries before the focus in this one shifted away from the scoreline.
Brown went down with a right knee injury during the game, and there was no immediate diagnosis as Miamis medical staff prepared to evaluate him further. For a team that had reason to feel good about its position at the break, the bigger concern quickly became the health of a back who has been giving the Hurricanes useful production and now leaves the sideline waiting for clarity. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Stayed Unbeaten But This Win Raised A Bigger Concern
Miami stayed unbeaten with a 33-20 win over Wake Forest, but the result came with a reminder that the path forward may not get any easier. No. 5 Miami had to work through a game that tested its depth and resilience, with a thinner roster than usual because of injuries and several players stepping into heavier roles to keep the Hurricanes moving.
Lightfoot, Wilson, Blount, OConnor, Thornton, Dunnigan, Mensah, Toney and Fletcher all had a hand in getting Miami across the finish line, and the effort showed how much this team can still lean on a wide cast of contributors. The bigger question now is what this kind of win means over the long haul, because surviving a tough night is one thing, but doing it again and again while the injuries keep piling up is a different challenge altogether. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Escaped With A Win But Left Fans With Bigger Concerns
Miami left Wake Forest with a 33-20 win, but it hardly felt like a clean getaway. The No. 5 Hurricanes had to navigate a depleted secondary on the road, and that showed up in the form of too many passing lanes and too many stressful moments as the game wore on. Even so, Ethan OConnor delivered Miamis first interception of the season, a timely takeaway that helped the Hurricanes finish the job.
The bigger concern came after halftime, when the offense lost its rhythm and the margin for error got thinner. Add in the fact that several players were limited or injured, and the victory carried more warning signs than celebration. Miami is still winning, which matters, but this one also made clear that the Hurricanes have some issues to sort out before the schedule gets heavier. [Read more 🡒]