Miami Hurricanes Week 3 Preview: Ball State Cardinals

Miami, Florida – A new week brings a new opponent as the Miami Hurricanes prepare to face the Ball State Cardinals at the Hardrock. The Canes obliterated Florida A&M continuing a home winning streak dating back to 2006 earning a top 10 spot within the AP rankings. Cam Ward carried on impressing UM fans while Xavier Restrepo hit the centennial mark in receiving yards. That’s not all, Tyler Baron dominated on defense recording three sacks. The contest gave fans a glimpse at the backups and third-stringers allowing depth pieces precious reps.

WEEK 3⃣ UNIFORMS

🎟️: https://t.co/0VsacX7Aup#GoCanes pic.twitter.com/Ly6ybTjmUz

— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) September 11, 2024

Many are saying Ward is “The Guy” including myself, with how he’s been performing. However, it’s a valid argument to say that he hasn’t faced a tough defense yet. The test will come soon enough but for now the the non-Louisville Cardinals await. Ball State arrives 1-0 after their 42-34 home opener win over Missouri State. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Miami Hurricanes

Reuben Bain Jr.

The Bain Train went down on the first drive at Florida and was ruled out versus FAMU due to a soft-tissue injury. If he returns in week three, it’ll be interesting to see how much playing time he gets and what he does with it. The ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year was a force on the field in 2023 and coach Mario Cristobal hopes he’ll have his services soon. Considering the strength of the opponents, Miami is in no hurry to rush him back.

Tyler Baron

3 sacks, 5 tackles, and a dub 🙌@Tylerbaron23 stays delivering on defense. pic.twitter.com/kU4r5OWXTJ

— ACC Football (@ACCFootball) September 10, 2024

The edge rusher feasted on the Rattlers pulling off three sacks, complementing his numbers with five tackles including 3.5 tackles for loss. Ball State offers another tasty chance to showcase his skills. The Tennessee transfer has done well pressuring opposing offenses making the signal caller as uncomfortable as possible smothering any potential threat. I don’t know if Baron will get a three-peat performance but two sacks isn’t out of the question.

Zach Carpenter

New Miami Hurricanes center Zach Carpenter getting second level to wipe out a likely 1st round pick. NBD. pic.twitter.com/QeskHyA7d2

— Jeremy Marks-Peltz (@JMP1063) December 19, 2023

The former ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week has done wonders as part of a strong o-line that has given their quarterback plenty of time to pick and choose his targets. Complementing the unit as a dream come true, Ward has been very comfortable in the pocket and has only been sacked three times. In addition, the big man from Indiana has been playing as advertised and is considered a successful get from the transfer portal. I can’t wait to see more of this on Saturday.

Ball State

Kadin Semonza

.@kadinsemonza runs it home for the 1st @BallStateFB TD of the year!!! #MACtion | #1AAT x #WeFly x #Team100 pic.twitter.com/bfxDppOkzI

— #MACtion (@MACSports) September 7, 2024

The Cardinals have only played one game this season so the sample size is fairly small. However, redshirt freshman Kadin Semonza is off to a good start. Completing 28 of 38 passes, Semonza threw for 262 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception. Last year he appeared in four games accumulating 480 yards, three TDs, and five picks, three of those against Georgia. Against the toughest defense in the country, Semonza was held to 55 yards. By the second half, the team turned to other options. There might be a case of deja vu.

Braedon Sloan

Cardinal Fans, meet: Braedon Sloan 😤@_bra3don_ #1AAT x #WeFly x #Team100 pic.twitter.com/i4yfJtFMHR

— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) August 14, 2024

The veteran running back chewed up the Bears rushing for 103 yards on 21 carries finding the endzone once on the ground. In addition, the Eastern Kentucky transfer caught six passes for 46 yards pulling off another TD. If the Canes contain Sloan this will pressure Semonza to air it out leading to at least a couple of interceptions. The defense should have no issue in this regard they just need to be careful of screen passes.

Cam Pickett

🔥 BIG PLAY ALERT 🔥

Cam Pickett's jersey gets stretched for five yards during a 21-yard pass completion from Kadin Semonza. Pickett is taken out of bounds at the 13. Cardinals corral their 22nd first down as they march toward the end zone once again.

Ball State 21, MoState 14…

— Ball State Football (@BallStateFB) September 7, 2024

Cam Pickett, the top wideout in last week’s game, had seven catches for 69 yards. He is a redshirt sophomore with only one contest under his belt so Miami will serve as valuable experience. He’ll have his hands full battling UM’s secondary. I’ll be watching Pickett to see if he can peel away from the defenders. Chances are the offense will have a tranquil day with very few explosive plays, if any.

Prediction

FAMU was a tougher opponent and this will go no different. Expect Miami to get off to a fast start and maintain a firm hold of the lead getting away with it by halftime. Final score: 62-6.