Brad Kaaya's maturity on full display in Hurricanes' rout of Arkansas State
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- University of Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya stays even-keeled no matter the situation. Whether it be Labor Day's forgettable result against Louisville or Saturday's record-breaking performance against Arkansas State, Kaaya maintains a calm demeanor as the leader of the offense.
Kaaya went 16 of 24 for 342 yards -- setting the program's true freshman record -- with four touchdowns and an interception in the Hurricanes' 41-20 victory over the Red Wolves at Sun Life Stadium.
"I think Brad obviously benefited from this week of practice," head coach Al Golden said. "I thought his timing was better, his rhythm was better. The precision on the routes were better. Obviously we gave him enough time to throw."
Leading up to Saturday, Golden stated this game would showcase the largest growth among the young players. Usually a comment reserved for Week 1 and 2, things are different this season after opening with two games in six days.
For the first time, the Hurricanes went through a regular game week of practice. Miami's offense, which struggled to find its groove in the first two games, took advantage of the schedule. The Hurricanes recorded their first three-touchdown first quarter since last year against South Florida.
Instead of handing the ball off to junior running back Duke Johnson (four carries), the unit turned to Kaaya, who went 6 of 9 in the first with 163 yards -- just 16 yards fewer than the entire Louisville game.
"It's very comfortable just knowing his reads and he knows when it gets tough," Johnson said. "The main thing I would say about Brad is he's a tough kid. He takes a lot of shots and he doesn't complain. He doesn't come to the sideline and say anything. He just gets out there the next drive and makes things happen."
After calling things conservatively against Louisville and Florida A&M, offensive coordinator James Coley opened up the playbook by airing it out.
Senior wideout Phillip Dorsett, who became just the third player in program history to collect 200 receiving yards in a game, finished with a career-high 201 and two touchdowns.
Kaaya connected with Dorsett in stride for a 63-yard touchdown on the first pass -- second play -- of the game. On the next possession, Kaaya found Dorsett for a 51-yarder and followed it with a 19-yard touchdown to senior tight end Clive Walford.
In the second half, Kaaya and Dorsett paired up for a 63-yard catch-and run to extend the lead to 34-14. His final score was a true-freshman combo with Braxton Berrios from six yards out.
"He grew up -- a lot more confidence in the team and us throwing the ball deep," Dorsett said. "Getting his first real deep balls and stuff. He was always comfortable, but he took another step today. Now we know that he's going to be special. We knew that before, but he's definitely going to be special."
Added Johnson: "The offense grew as a whole protecting him and more so. Coming through the first two weeks make sure we protect him and give him the opportunity to throw the ball. This is a very big confidence boost for Brad. The first two games he was kind of shaky as a freshman just coming with the territory, especially as a freshman starting. With a team like this -- this game he came into himself. Like I said before, we wanted to see him and the team and offense move forward from the last two weeks, and I think we did that today."
To put into perspective how successful Kaaya's third collegiate game was, Jacory Harris never threw for more than 194 yards in 2008. He was the last true freshman to start an opener and hold onto the honor.
Even with his interception in the fourth quarter, Kaaya's rating was 233 -- highest since Stephen Morris' quick appearance (329.7) against Savannah State on Sept. 21, 2013. Go back to Oct. 14, 2006 when Kirby Freeman posted a 308.7 rating against Florida International University for the highest against a Division I team.
His 342 yards were the most since Morris put up 379 on Nov. 16, 2013 in a loss to Duke. His four touchdowns were the most since Morris threw for five on Sept. 29, 2012 against N.C. State, a span of 23 games. It marked the 15th time in program history a quarterback threw four touchdowns in a game.
"Glad we won," Kaaya said of the personal statistics. "It would've sucked if we lost."
Some questioned Golden's decision to start Kaaya over transfer Jake Heaps at the beginning of the season.
Kaaya, who didn't arrive on campus until May following his high school graduation, traveled to Louisville on Labor Day to face a crowd celebrating an Atlantic Coast Conference inauguration and Black Out. The Cardinals weren't too kind in a 31-13 victory, holding him to 179 yards and forcing two interceptions.
Patience is key with a young quarterback. He will show flashes one play and then make a bone-headed decision the next. Consistency is a long-term goal.
Miami faces Nebraska at Memorial Stadium -- owner of an NCAA record 335 straight sellouts -- for the programs' first meeting since the 2001 BCS national championship. There will likely be upwards of 90,000 fans in attendance.
That's why despite the rough performance to open his collegiate career, Kaaya and the Hurricanes will be better for it. As Kaaya puts it, he has learned to see different blitz looks and pick up certain tendencies. Experience is the greatest teacher.
"I've already played a big away game," Kaaya said. "Going into Nebraska, it's a bigger stadium, bigger crowd. But I feel like the experience in Louisville that first week -- 60,000 all third down screaming out there, couldn't hear -- just experiencing that can help down the road and help a lot of our guys on the team too."
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
