The Miami Hurricanes made a change for their rivalry game against the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday, benching veteran quarterback Tyler Van Dyke and starting freshman Emory Williams instead.
The switch comes as Van Dyke, the 2021 ACC Rookie of the Year, is in the midst of the worst slump in his career. Van Dyke has thrown 10 interceptions in his past four games. Miami is 1-3 in those games.
Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal said Monday that the staff is “always assessing” ways to improve the team. He did not specify who would start at quarterback but did not rule out a quarterback competition in this week’s practices.
“We take it all into account,” Cristobal said during his Monday interview on WQAM’s The Joe Rose Show. “Obviously, he’s been banged up. But the bottom line is we’ve regressed in the passing game. It was our strength early in the year. It hasn’t been good.”
Van Dyke has completed a career-best 67.2 percent of his passes this season for 2,057 yards and 16 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. Against N.C. State last week, Van Dyke completed 21-of-38 passes (a season-low 55.0 percent completion percentage) for 173 yards and three interceptions. For the second consecutive game, he did not throw a touchdown pass.
Williams has made one start in his freshman season, leading Miami to a win over Clemson. He went 24-of-33 with one touchdown and one interception. In four games, Williams has completed 75 percent of his pass attempts (36 of 48) for 295 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
This story will be updated.