MIAMI (AP) – Miami Hurricanes senior D’Eriq King was named Quarterback of the Week at the Atlantic Coast Conference after his last two games.
Against Clemson, the top-ranked, he would be pleased to settle for the quarterback of the night.
The seventh-ranked Hurricanes (3-0, 2-0 ACC), are underdogs of two touchdowns Saturday at Clemson (3-0, 2-0), but they can win in component thanks to King. 157 runs while leading an offense that reminds Miami fans of the school’s glory days.
King now faces his biggest difficulty since moving from Houston in January: beating the mighty Tigers and Trevor Lawrence.
“I’m not playing Trevor; our defense is betting against him,” King said Wednesday, “but I’m extremely happy to bet on this game. “
This is the first time King has faced a famous quarterback. He pitched two touchdowns and ran one last season in Houston’s 49-31 loss to Oklahoma and Jalen Hurts.
“Playing Jalen last year was a bit similar to that,” King said. “It’s a great game, a lot of titles. But you have to play like any other game. “
King made 22 openings in Houston, and his adulthood was a stabilizing influence for the Hurricanes, whose volatile quarterback scenario contributed to a disappointing 6-7 record last year, helping Miami reach its highest rating since November 26, 2017.
King pitched for 325 yards in an Louisville 18th-place win and scored 267 for the Hurricanes to beat Florida State 52-10 in their final game on September 26.
Like Lawrence, King has to launch an interception.
“The wonderful thing about D’Eric is that, being a kid who plays a lot of football at school, he’s a grown-up kid,” offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said. “He has that experience, and that’s a great credit to us.
“He’s just a very consistent young man, the same kid every day. They are very flexible and confident, however, they are focused and stuck on what we do. Gradually, but it actually adapts to the personality of our offensive. “
Miami’s blockade has come a long way, so this year, however, the line hasn’t faced a front as formidable as Clemson’s, which can force King to throw faster and run more.
Like Lawrence, King is a risk as a pin and as a runner. Tigers coach Dabo Swinney noted that he averaged 5. 4 yards after the start as a runner.
“There’s nothing I can’t do, ” said Swinney. ” He can do all the pitches, and when he throws it, he’s a ball carrier, he was given that mentality. “
In a big game, King said, it’s vital not to do too much, even with Trevor Lawrence on the other side. However, he identified the opportunity presented throughout the game.
“Trevor is a wonderful talent, ” he said. It’s going to be the first pick in the draft. “
King would gladly settle for being number one on Saturday.
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AP Sports editor Peter Iacobelli of Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to the report.
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