Miami cruised against Central Michigan, but a 107-yard problem could cost the Hurricanes dearly and soon
The Canes won convincingly, but a lack of discipline could bite them in coming weeks if they don’t clean things up.
It’s not every day that you see a team win 52-3 like the Miami Hurricanes did over the Central Michigan Chippewas on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium and leave having concern. But the Canes, while dominant, struggled in a key area that could cost them against a better opponent: penalties.
The Canes were flagged for a staggering 13 penalties for 107 yards in the win.
Hurricanes flagged 13 times for 107 yards in 52-3 win over Central Michigan
Miami was called for five false starts by their offensive linemen. They were guilty of three holding penalties. A fumble return for a touchdown by Damon Wilson II was wiped out by a personal foul by Marquise Lightfoot during the return.
But there was at least one call that appeared to be rather poor, an offensive pass interference call on Malachi Toney to wipe out what could have been the catch of the year in college football on a one-handed grab while falling out of the back of the end zone.
Bottom line: Miami was always going to out-talent Central Michigan and win regardless of a clean or sloppy game.
But come next week at Clemson, Miami can ill afford to rack up triple-digit penalties yards and not, at best, be in a dogfight they could lose. As good as they are on both sides of the ball, they will have a moment at Clemson or North Carolina, at home against Pitt, FSU, Duke, or Virginia Tech where they are in a fight. And you better believe that’ll be the case at Notre Dame on November 7.
And if Miami ends up shooting themselves in the foot repeatedly, they might not be able to hobble ahead of one of those opponents to the finish line when the clock reads all zeroes.
