Bain, Williams, Mauigoa and Fletcher Having Successful Freshman Campaigns For Hurricanes

By Scott Salomon

Running Back Mark Fletcher, Jr., a freshman from Plantation American Heritage, scored the game-winning touchdown in overtime for Miami on Saturday against Virginia. Fletcher is one of four super freshmen that are over-performing for the Hurricanes this season. 

Miami coach Mario Cristobal had nothing praise and love for the one-time Ohio State commit who flipped to Miami just before National Signing Day last year.

“Complete trust," Cristobal said.  "They all run hard, and Mark Fletcher, Jr., runs really hard. He’s a really big dude. He has complete trust in the entire position.”

For the second week in a row, Miami freshman defensive tackle Reuben Bain, Jr. was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his two-sack performance in Miami's 26-23 victory over Virginia on Saturday.

Bain was recognized by the conference for the second consecutive week following a dominant outing. Bain finished with seven total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and the aforementioned two sacks in Miami’s second straight overtime win. Bain, who was also credited with a pass breakup, was named ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week and ACC Rookie of the Week on Oct. 23, days after the big win over Clemson.

What really stands out about "Hurricane" Bain is that he’s doing his thing from various positions. Within Defensive Coordinator Lance Guidry’s scheme, Bain moves to a standup role sometimes, as well as his traditional 3-point stance as a defensive end. He’s also been at the nose position before. Regardless, Bain is flourishing no matter where Guidry wants him to play.

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Quarterback Emory Williams stepped in for starter Tyler Van Dyke at the last minute against Clemson on October 21. He led the Hurricanes to an overtime win against the Tigers in his first start. It was Miami's first win over Clemson in South Florida since 1956.

For the contest, Williams went 24-of-33, completing 72.7% of his pass attempts, averaged 4.6 per attempt, tossed one touchdown, and suffered one interception. Considering how well Williams threw the ball during the second half, he seems to be quite comfortable for a freshman. What a performance turned in by the true freshman.

“We thought we were okay with Tyler [Van Dyke], but I couldn’t be more proud of a young guy to step in there and do the things he did," Cristobal gushed after the game about his new quarterback, who will take the reigns when Van Dyke leaves for the National Football League. "Early on in the game he was a little bit fast but as he settled he got better and better. As the game went on and on, he just settled in. He’s a very urgent guy. He approaches everything with a ton of urgency. Our players really played hard for him and for each other. They were just convicted on not letting him or each other down.”

Right Tackle Francis Mauigoa has played the most snaps of all Hurricane freshmen and has started every game. His pass protection and run-blocking technique has paced Miami all season. He has not given up a sack in eight games for Miami, who is bowl-eligible for the first time in two years.

Mauigoa, along with transfer center Matt Lee, anchors an offensive line that has protected the quarterback very well this season and has opened holes for Miami runners. This is something that Miami has not seen in recent years.

Left tackle Samson Okunlola, another true freshman, was supposed to be the other bookend on the Miami front line and performed well before he suffered a season-ending injury against Temple.

Other freshmen Hurricanes, like wide receiver Nathaniel "Ray Ray" Joseph and tight end Riley Williams, are starting to come into their own and perform well. Joseph is an absolute menace on special teams as he returns punts along with Xavier Restrepo. Joseph almost broke a long return on several occasions against Virginia and is a threat every time he has the ball in his hands.