3 players who impact the Miami Hurricanes and who the Florida Gators need to know

GAINESVILLE, Florida – The Florida Gators won’t have to wait long before being tested in the 2024 season with a season opener against No. 19 Miami. Both teams used the offseason to replenish and revamp their rosters while retaining plenty of talent from the previous season.

Here are three key Hurricanes the Gators must stop if they want to win their opening game of the season.

QB Cam Ward

2023 Stats: 323-485 (66.6%), 3735 yards, 25 touchdowns, seven interceptions. 144 rushing yards, eight touchdowns.

Former Washington State quarterback Cam Ward is making his first career start for Miami in one of the most hostile environments and one of the most bitter rivalries in college football. Even though he hasn’t even played a game for Miami yet, expectations are high.

READ MORE: Florida Gators vs. Miami depth chart

Ward was named the 2024 ACC Preseason Player of the Year, which isn’t a huge surprise to Gators head coach Billy Napier, especially given Ward’s ability to threaten two players at once.

“I think he’s obviously been very productive. You see the yards, the touchdowns, the completion percentage, the many stops. I think his ability to extend the game is part of the game and will be a key factor in the game,” he said. “But he’s got talent in his arm. They’ve got a great group of talent, an incredible group of linemen to protect. The tight end group is athletic and big. They’ve got a really good environment that fits a guy who’s a very accomplished quarterback.”

Although he doesn’t throw many interceptions, Ward has a tendency to fumble the football. Last season, he put the ball on the ground 12 times after allowing seven fumbles the year before.

It will be key for the Gators to apply pressure and then not allow him to make plays with his feet. If Florida takes out Ward, they’ll have a chance at a Week 1 win right in front of them.

WR Xavier Restrepo

Statistics 2023: 85 receptions, 1092 yards, six touchdowns

Last season, the Gators struggled to contain their opponents’ best receivers, but it’s a new year and Florida won’t have to wait long for a dangerous pass catcher.

Xavier Restrepo returns to the Hurricanes after a breakout 2023 season in which he surpassed 1,000 yards. With a revamped secondary, the Gators will have plenty of opportunities to shut down Restrepo.

“Like I said, they’re all good players. You can’t deny that,” said corner Jason Marshall Jr. “They’re going to give him the ball. It’s about going out there, executing that and preventing that from happening.”

Florida didn’t do well with talented receivers last year and had trouble forcing turnovers. It’s no secret that winning the battle for turnovers usually leads to victory. Taking Miami’s best option at the receiver position opens up that opportunity.

DL Rueben Bain Jr.

Statistics 2023: 37 tackles (20 solo), 7.5 sacks, two forced fumbles

The Gators reshuffled their offensive line in the offseason, and it won’t be long before it is immediately put to the test.

Leading the way for Miami is sophomore Rueben Bain Jr., the 2023 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. The Gators’ tackles struggled last season to hold their position and protect quarterback Graham Mertz, who was sacked 31 times last season.

“Bain, yeah, I think he’s just really unique. Loose hips, fidgety power. He’s instinctive,” Napier said. “I think he played as a freshman, he was physically ready. Comes from a great program there at Central. Had a good foundation. He was able to come there mid-year and play a role as a freshman. We expect him to be even better as a sophomore. That’s certainly going to be one of the key matchups of the game, along with several other players on offense.”

With a healthy starter like Austin Barber and Kamryn Waites on Saturday as well as transfer players Devon Manuel and Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson, the situation in Florida is much better than it was a year ago.

Saturday will be crucial to proving that, and stopping Bain Jr. will open up plenty of opportunities for the Gators to shoot all over the field, which was a goal of the offense earlier this season.