When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
TV: ACC Network
Radio: 560 WQAM, 1260 AM/94.3 FM (Spanish)
Weather: 84 degrees, 40 percent chance of rain
Online: Twitter
Quick slant: The Hurricanes will try to stay sharp following a big win over Texas A&M last week despite a short week. Miami beat Bethune-Cookman 70-13 last season.
About Miami (2-0): UM showed its potential in its Week 2 victory over the Aggies. The offense put up 48 points, and the defense held Texas A&M in check despite giving up two early, short-field touchdowns.
About Bethune-Cookman (1-1): The Wildcats suffered a blowout loss to Memphis in their season opener but recovered with a solid win over Savannah State last week. Their coach, Raymond Woodie Jr., worked on the Oregon coaching staff with Mario Cristobal in 2017.
Three things to watch
1. One interesting aspect of Thursday’s game will be watching who the Hurricanes send onto the field and for how long they stay there. Miami should win this game handily like it did last year. But instead of starting the season with the Wildcats, they are playing them in Week 3. This game follows a physical contest, during which multiple key UM players suffered injuries. Cristobal did not give any specifics on injuries, but it would be surprising to see those players (Kam Kinchens, Akheem Mesidor, Branson Deen and Mark Fletcher Jr.) on the field on Thursday night. If the Hurricanes get out to a big, early lead, as expected, reserves could see a large amount of snaps.
2. Miami ran all over Bethune-Cookman last year, racking up 305 rushing yards. The Hurricanes needed to turn to the passing game against the Aggies last week, as Texas A&M held UM to 77 rushing yards. Miami will likely be without Fletcher this week, but Henry Parrish Jr., Ajay Allen and Don Chaney Jr. should be able to handle the load against the Wildcats.
3. Several South Floridians will return home to play at Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday night. Bethune-Cookman has 14 players from Miami-Dade, Broward or Palm Beach counties: Omari Hill-Robinson (Dillard High), Darnell Deas (Blanche Ely High), Reyan Blake (Seminole Ridge High), Jaylin Terzado (Hialeah Champagnat Catholic), Stephan Peterman (Hollywood Hills High), Omari Stewart (Miami Norland High), Hervin Louis (Stoneman Douglas High), Conroy Cunningham (Palm Beach Lakes High), Jahmari Sylvester (St. Thomas Aquinas High), Dylan Anderson (Miami Carol City High), Wistanson Mathurin (Monarch High), Brandon Armenteros (West Broward High), Jeffson Lafontant (North Miami Beach Senior High) and Jahem Guillaume (Miami Carol City).
Additionally, outside linebacker and nickelbacks coach T.J. Jackson was the head coach at Atlantic High from 2013-2021.
