MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. - For the second time in as many seasons, the Wildcats will face Miami on the gridiron- this time with the Hurricanes ranked #22 in the country.  The Wildcats are set for a primetime, ACC matchup at 7:30 pm at Hard Rock Stadium.



Thursday, Sept. 14
Opponent: Miami (2-0, 0-0 ACC)
Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
Location: Miami Gardens, Fla. | Hard Rock Stadium
Live Stats: https://www.statbroadcast.com/events/statmonitr.php?gid=mifl
Watch: https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/0e3dcf1c-429e-4a5e-9b80-eda4c3d2584f
Listen: https://youtube.com/cateyenetwork
Tickets: https://miamihurricanes.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3AMIAMI%3AF23%3AFH3%3A&linkID=miami&shopperContext=&pc=&caller=appList&appCode=&groupCode=FB-SG&cgc=&dataAccId=218&locale=en_US&siteId=ev_miami&RSRC=MHcom_F23_Schedule_Page_IG_Sales_FH3&RDAT=F23_Individual_Game_Sales06282023&_ga=2.87657178.334357345.1694624233-353855504.1694535415&_gl=1*hgn8zu*_gcl_au*ODQ0NDUxMzQ2LjE2OTQ1MzU0MTU.*_ga*MzUzODU1NTA0LjE2OTQ1MzU0MTU.*_ga_MCFJ9LN2PV*MTY5NDYzMjIwMi41LjEuMTY5NDYzMjIxMy40OS4wLjA.



Raymond Woodie's return to Daytona Municipal Stadium was a successful one, as the Wildcats defeated old MEAC foe, Savannah State, 31-6 last Saturday. 

Quarterback Luke Sprague, who took over for starter Walter Simmons III to begin the second quarter, finished the game an efficient 23-29 passing for 223 yards and 2 touchdowns. Daveno Ellington was his top target with 6 catches for 65 yards. The ground game was led by Bazil's 64 yards and 2 scores.

Dearis Thomas led the Wildcats on defense with nine total tackles, a sack, and two tackles for loss. Jalen Christian also added a sack and two tackles for loss.

It marked Woodie's first win as head coach. 



Miami opened their season 2-0, with a 38-3 win over Miami (Ohio) and a 48-33 win over #23 Texas A&M last Saturday. The win vaulted the Hurricanes to the #22 spot in the weekly AP poll. 

Thursday's contest will mark the third straight home game for the Hurricanes. 

Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is averaging over 280 yards over two games, completing 73 percent of his passes. He has six passing touchdowns. His leading receiver, Xavier Restrepo, has caught 11 passes for 194 yards. 

The Hurricanes' leading rusher through two games has been Henry Parrish Jr., who has rushed for 145 yards on 19 attempts. with a touchdown. Three other Miami runningbacks have over ten rushing attempts. 



OLD FRIENDS IN NEW UNIFORMS
Head Coach Raymond Woodie faces off against former co-worker Mario Cristobal, whom he worked with at Oregon in 2019. Woodie served as special teams coordinator, while Cristobal worked as offensive line coach/co-offensive coordinator. Wildcats O-line Coach and Miami native Brandon Washington returns to Miami after three seasons on the Hurricanes offensive line from 2008-2011.

PLAYING IT SAFE
The Wildcats were docked with only three penalties in Saturday's win over Savannah State. Ten penalties through two games is the lowest mark to open a season for B-CU since 2018.

SPRAGUE STEPS UP
Redshirt Junior Luke Sprague took over QB duties in the second quarter of Saturday's contest with Savannah State. He ranks second in the SWAC with a 74.3 completion percentage through two weeks. His 151.7 efficiency rating also ranks second in the conference

DOWN UNDER
The Wildcats' kicking game is headed up by a pair of Australians in kicker Cade Hechter and punter Max Tulen. Hector nailed a 45 yard field goal against Memphis Saturday, the longest field goal for a B-CU kicker since Uriel Hernandez recorded a 46 yarder against Tennessee State in 2018's season-opener. It was the longest field goal by a SWAC kicker this season.

SOFLO CATS
The Wildcats have nine players from South Florida. WR Jahem Guillame attended high school less than three miles from Hard Rock Stadium (Carol City HS). WR Omari Stewart attended high school even closer - Miami Norland HS is only 1.5 miles away

TIGERS & TIGERS & TIGERS OH MY
Thursday night's competition with Miami provides a brief respite for the Wildcats, who opened the season with two-straight games against Tigers (Memphis, Savannah State). B-CU will play their third group of Tigers in their first four games next week when they take on Jackson State. The Wildcats play their fourth and fifth Tigers of the year against Texas Southern and Grambling State



Thursday marks the seventh overall meeting between Miami and Bethune-Cookman. The Wildcats are searching for their first win in the series. Last year, the Wildcats took a 70-13 defeat in Miami Gardens in the 2022 season opener. 

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