True freshman quarterback Emory Williams got his first career start against the Clemson Tigers. Alex Donno reviews his performance.
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00:00 When I found out, when we all found out Tyler Van Dyke, first, it was unlikely to play was going to go through warmups.
00:07 Ultimately the warmups didn't go well for Tyler.
00:10 TVD Miami starting quarterback was a late scratch and Miami turns to a true freshman.
00:16 Now, as you guys know, and I hope you know this, if you're an everyday or in a long time listener, I am always have been, even before last night, a big fan of Emery Williams.
00:26 I just thought in that situation, a true freshman, no career starts being called upon to make that first career start against a top five defense in America.
00:37 I thought that was going to be a recipe for disaster.
00:41 I'm so glad I was proven wrong on multiple different levels, because not only did Emery Williams play really well and hit clutch throws, especially in the fourth quarter.
00:51 He was super poised.
00:53 The moment was not too big for him.
00:55 And most importantly, Emery's teammates stepped up for him.
00:59 Guys, this was a beautiful team win by the Miami hurricanes.
01:03 This is something that I believe can give this team momentum going forward.
01:07 And they did just pick up their fifth win, which matched last year's win total.
01:12 So it's very obvious Miami is making progress.
01:16 Anyone who has been denying that can no longer deny that Miami made important plays in all three phases of that game.
01:23 The offensive line gives up zero sacks.
01:26 That's important in any game, especially when you're protecting a first time starter and they gave up zero sacks.
01:32 That same Clemson Tigers defense gave up just 22 rushing yards to Florida state earlier this year.
01:38 Miami goes for 211 rushing yards against them.
01:42 Never happened before.
01:43 I think a little over a hundred yards, 102 yards, I think was the most they'd given up in a game.
01:47 And the hurricanes making big plays in the running game, taking pressure off their young quarterback.
01:53 Of course, Brashard Smith's 80 yarder.
01:55 But even beyond that, Miami still had 131 team rushing yards on top of that 80 yarder.
02:02 Let's talk a little bit more about Emery.
02:04 I'm so proud of the young man.
02:07 And boy, if you had a chance to watch his postgame video interview and had a chance to listen to him interviewed multiple times on 560 WQAM, the hurricanes flagship station after the game.
02:20 Oh, man, he, as you would expect, so jacked up, so happy and so gracious.
02:25 Right.
02:25 He talked about owing his offensive line a steak dinner for not letting him get sacked.
02:29 Emery Williams was humble, right, because obviously your QB won, you get a victory.
02:34 People are going to try to put that all on you.
02:36 And he was quick to say in his words, not mine, because I do think he made some special plays.
02:40 But in Emery Williams's words, he said, I didn't do anything special.
02:44 This was all about my teammates.
02:45 So I love the leadership and I love the humility from, you know, an 18 year old who was, uh, you know, would have been going to his prom less than a year ago.
02:55 Um, so Emery Williams.
02:57 Went 24 for 33 in the game for 151 yards, one touchdown, which was a huge touchdown game, tying touchdown one interception.
03:08 Now I thought, and I talked about this with Malik Rozier last night, former Miami hurricanes quarterback.
03:13 We do the radio post game together.
03:14 I thought that the interception, I'm not going to put that all on Emery, because that was a miscommunication between he and Jacoby George, not completely Emery's fault.
03:22 And Williams, he led, I would call it the biggest drive of Miami season to this point, the game tying drive in the fourth quarter, Miami hurricanes consumed in that drive to tie it up at 17 consumed over nine minutes on a 15 play.
03:43 75 yard touchdown drive ending with Williams finding Colby young for a beautiful throw and catch a fade on the touchdown.