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ASK IRA: Will rebounding deficits remain a Heat reality?
Q: Ira, Erik Spoelstra always is talking about cleaning things up. Well, they didn’t clean up the offensive rebounds against the Hornets. Missed shot, offensive rebound, 3-pointer. How many times did that happen? – Eddie.
A: Enough to make it way closer than it needed to be against a shorthanded opponent playing on the second night of a back-to-back set. And, yes, the Hornets did maximize their offensive rebounds to the tune of 20 second-chance points, compared to eight second-chance points for the Heat. But the raw numbers were far better than Wednesday night’s 57-41 beatdown on the boards in the loss to the Magic. This time the Heat were only outrebounded 46-43 and had 13 offensive rebounds compared to the Hornets’ 15. Those are numbers you can live with. But this remains a smallish team that plays plenty of small ball, as evidenced by Nikola Jovic at center for the Heat in the second half Saturday.
Related ArticlesQ: Keep Haywood Highsmith out of the rotation. Alec Burks gives more energy. – Culee.
A: But they play different positions. Haywood is more of an element of the power rotation, more of a combo three-four. Considering how much Alec Burks was handling the ball on Saturday night, he’s more of a two-three. The minutes decision with Haywood likely could come down to whether he takes some of Nikola Jovic’s playing time. But also don’t discount Haywood’s energy level; he plays with as much as anyone on this roster.
Q: At training camp, Jimmy Butler bragged how he was staying out until 5 a.m. playing dominoes. After the humiliating loss on Pat Riley Night, he posts him and Nikola Jovic eating fine foods and laughing. – Tom.
A: And then he comes out with a big game and a big fourth quarter to salvage the night on Saturday in Charlotte. And that’s the problem with social media, is that players have always done the same things for years, but only now does it get publicized. Unless there is a proven correlation between a player’s off-court approach and his performance, then his time away from the game is his own. As for a player enjoying a meal with a teammate two nights after a loss, is that any worse than a team celebration at a postgame party in Pat Riley’s honor shortly after the season-opening loss? Still, if a player pumps out such volumes of content that it makes it appear as if the game is secondary, then I can appreciate the outside perspective, even if it doesn’t take into account the full picture.
To end gun violence, change culture, not laws | Opinion
Every day we hear of another shooting or attempted shooting. Students, politicians, domestic partners and the general public are all targets. Suicides and accidents make the news. Do you see the common denominator?
Cecile M. Scoon is the co-president of the League of Women Voters of Florida.In the aftermath of each of these events we often hear that America is not like this — but we are. And we are unique among developed countries in the number of gun violence deaths and injuries recorded. We are also unique in the number of guns in the hands of private citizens: over 400 million, which is more than the population of America.
What sets us apart is easy access to guns with very few safeguards for the public. Easy access is built into the fabric of life in the United States. But there are ways to address the scourge of gun violence that don’t involve fundamental changes to the laws we already have.
But, we first must face an uncomfortable truth — not all gun owners are responsible gun owners, and the law-abiding citizen is a law-abiding citizen until he is not. To protect our communities, we must alter the way we respond to the level of gun violence that has developed. Doing more of the same will not result in change.
Debbie Chandler is co-president of the League of Women Voters of Florida.We could curb the sale of guns without any additional laws by simply curbing the sale of guns to persons who shouldn’t have access to them through the use of universal background checks. We could use the resources available to us through red-flag laws to remove guns from people who are a danger to themselves or others. We could invest in community violence intervention programs. We could make sure that there is access to important mental-health services to decrease the stress that might lead a person to harm himself or others.
We could embark on an all-of-government, coordinated messaging campaign to promote safe, secure storage of firearms. This will have an immediate impact in several crucial areas. Most guns used to commit crimes are stolen guns, most often stolen out of cars. Decrease a criminal’s easy access to a gun, and you will decrease violent crime.
Cathy Swerdlow is the LWVFL gun violence prevention chair.Millions of children live in homes where there are unsecured, loaded firearms within reach. This is the primary cause of unintentional shootings that most often kill or injure family members or friends. It is also a driving force behind the alarming rise in suicide among children. Unsecured guns in the home of family or friends account for 76% of guns used in school shootings.
We have a responsibility to make America a safe place for everyone. It is the most patriotic thing we can do. We need not choose between having the Second Amendment or having safety and security. We can and should have both.
Cecile Scoon and Debbie Chandler are co-presidents of the League of Women Voters of Florida. Cathy Swerdlow is the LWVFL gun violence prevention chair.
For president, a very stark choice | Letters to the editor
Many people may not be aware that Kamala Harris has overwhelming bipartisan support from current and former military brass and national security experts.
A letter was recently signed by 741 current and former national security leaders, including 15 four-star generals and admirals, 10 Cabinet secretaries, 10 service secretaries and 148 ambassadors.
They characterized the 2024 election as “a choice between serious leadership and vengeful impulsiveness. It is a choice between democracy and authoritarianism.”
These experts believe that Donald Trump is a threat to our national security and that Harris is the best choice to be our next commander-in-chief.
Richard Scott Ryan, Fort Lauderdale
Trump, still standingWhere does Kamala Harris stand on anything?
Are you confident that she won’t say one thing to get elected and will flip her position when her backers tell her to do the opposite? Are you familiar with her life experiences? How much real-world work has she accomplished that makes her empathetic to all Americans, not just a select few?
Trump has survived lawsuits, bullets, liars and an incompetent Secret Service and he is still standing and working hard for re-election. He loves America and is doing it to save America for future Americans.
Harris is doing it to enrich herself and a small circle of Marxist socialists who will profit, while the remainder of Americans will become as the masses in China, North Korea, etc., with minimal freedoms.
Are you better off today than four years ago? If you aren’t and you still vote for Harris, I pray that true American patriots will out-vote you.
Richard C. Russell, Port Charlotte
Eight years is enoughTrump Fatigue.
It’s a phrase that’s long overdue. To ignore it is dangerous.
It has been more than eight years of nonstop information about the doings of Trump and the un-doings of his associates. Those voters who are undecided or the so-called hold-your-nose-and-vote-Trump people should listen to their bodies.
Feeling tired? It could be Trump Fatigue. There’s a cure for this, so use it wisely.
Jay Pellis, Coral Springs
Keep the Electoral CollegeThat was an interesting editorial on why you think the Electoral College should be dismissed.
While I’m sure that some readers will put forth a much more eloquent argument, the Electoral College has mostly worked as it was intended. Sure, there have been a few instances where it didn’t, but those were during very divisive times.
The more interesting question to consider is this: Do we want to give one party’s candidate a significant advantage over the other party? If we move to a straight popular vote, a Democratic candidate would have a vote surplus of about 5 million, just from New York and California. That doesn’t sound fair to me.
Let’s stick with the current system, since it is essentially a popular vote system but on a state level.
Tim Nolan, Ed.D., Lake Worth Beach
Submit a letter to the editor by email to letterstotheeditor@sunsentinel.com or fill out the form below. Letters should be less than 150 words. Include your email address, city of residence and daytime phone number for verification. Letters are subject to editing for clarity and length.
[contact-form]It’s time to part ways with Rick Scott | Opinion
Millions of Americans are looking to Florida in one of the most pivotal races in the country. The Senate race between former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell and incumbent Sen. Rick Scott is a dead heat, with Mucarsel-Powell trailing by just one point in a recent poll. The winner of this race could decide control of the Senate and the future of American policy. It is time for Florida voters to elect a senator who will fight to enact policies that build a prosperous future for everyone, not just the wealthy few. That person is Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.
Let’s look at the bigger picture: Democratic policies are working. Inflation is back down to 2.4%, almost to the 2% target; GDP is growing at 3% annually; the price of insulin was capped at $35 a month; out-of-pocket prescription drug costs will be capped at $2,000 per year in 2025; and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act approved over $1 trillion in spending for roads, bridges, ports and public transportation. More importantly, these policies help Americans who are the most in need.
Kirk Orr is a senior studying economics and political science at Florida Atlantic University. (courtesy, Kirk Orr)On the contrary, Scott’s 12-point Rescue America Plan advocates for the expiring Donald Trump tax cuts to be made permanent. Multiple nonpartisan studies conclude that the extension of these cuts would add trillions to the deficit and would disproportionately benefit wealthier Americans while middle-income Americans become worse off. That is not a plan that will lead America into the future and keep more money in the pockets of hardworking Americans such as teachers, farmers and first responders.
Future economic policy must build the economy from the middle out, not the top down. One of Mucarsel-Powell’s top priorities is bringing good-paying clean-energy jobs to Florida and cutting back on the outsourcing of jobs to China. This will create a cycle of job and wage growth that will also increase solar-panel and clean-energy production, which in turn will bring the electricity costs of Floridians down while also benefiting the environment. “Republicans and Democrats alike want someone who works for them and puts partisan politics aside. Rick Scott voted against the CHIPS and Science Act, which would have a firm hand against China and bring jobs here to Florida,” Mucarsel-Powel said.
Why does Senator Scott deserve your vote? He has voted against bill after bill that would benefit everyday hard-working Americans. Even bills with bipartisan support. Some of those bills include the:
- Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act;
- Inflation Reduction Act;
- CHIPS and Science Act;
- Bipartisan Safer Communities Act;
- American Rescue Plan;
- and Respect for Marriage Act.
Whether you are a Democrat or Republican, we all share common aspirations: affordable prescription drugs, opportunities for our children to buy homes and start families, and to one day enjoy retirement. Given Scott’s track record and current views, it is clear that he has put his own interests ahead of the people he was elected to serve. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell is the obvious choice for the U.S. Senate in the 2024 election, ready to deliver for Florida and the American people.
Kirk Orr is a senior studying economics and political science at Florida Atlantic University.
‘This game was for him’: Hurricanes’ Mark Fletcher Jr. scores opening touchdown vs. FSU while grieving for his father
MIAMI GARDENS — There was no doubt Mark Fletcher Jr. would be on the field at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday night.
Fletcher’s father, Mark Fletcher Sr., died at the age of 53 on Thursday. But the sophomore running back was determined to be with his team.
“Even the day of, as emotional as it was, wanted to be around his brothers and his team,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said after UM’s win over Florida State. “You trust that guy with your life because he does everything the right way, regardless of situation and circumstance. Just looking at him, just hearing him out, this is what he wanted and, on top of that, just as importantly, this is what he deserves. … I think if any of us was in that situation, can you imagine? Can you imagine being able to do that?
“He’s just an elite, unique, off-the-charts human being. He’s just made of the right stuff and credit to his parents. He was raised a certain way. That guy is as resilient as it gets. Our hearts, man. What can you say?”
Fletcher got his second straight start on Saturday, and he scored the game’s first touchdown with a 1-yard run. After scoring, he knelt to the ground and pointed to the sky. Teammates celebrated with Fletcher, patting him on the helmet as he left the field.
“We were all excited for him,” said fellow running back Damien Martinez, who called Fletcher “one of the brightest guys I’ve ever been around.”
Fletcher ended the game with 71 rushing yards on 15 carries. He has 367 rushing yards and five touchdowns this season.
Quarterback Cam Ward said Fletcher received the game ball after the win.
“This game was for him and his family,” Ward said. “What he’s going through outside of football, I don’t wish on no man. He got the game ball, and he deserves it. He’s one of the best teammates that you could ask for, as a player on this team. He does all the little things. He never takes days off. He deserves it and everything that’s going to come his way down the future, five, 10 years from now when he gets a chance to play in the league.”
Cristobal said Mark Fletcher Sr. was a frequent presence around the Hurricanes, so the whole team is mourning his loss.
“We see big Mark all the time. He’s always at practice,” Cristobal said. “It’s kind of neat if you are a local player. Parents, they find their way to practice. (They) get away from their bosses a little bit and come out and get to see their sons. It’s one of the greatest things in the world. I remember seeing my parents, may they rest in peace, and that was about as difficult of a thing I’ve seen. Mark Jr. is about as good of a human being, competitor, teammate, brother as you can imagine. It was felt by the entire organization. I mean, everybody knows (Mark Fletcher Sr.). He’s got the best seat in the house going forward, looking from above. I know he’s super proud of Mark.”
Ward said the whole team has been supportive of the American Heritage alumnus as he grieves his father.
“Even when he found out the news, he stayed there for practice,” Ward said. “So that let us know right there what type of person he is for us as a team and what type of human he is. We’ve got Mark each and every day. We know it’s going to be hard for him, but he knows he’s got us. We all sent him texts. We’re there for him. We’re a phone call away. We’re just praying for (him), his family as they get through this. It’s only going to be better days ahead for Mark.”
Trump veers away from swing states for his Madison Square Garden moment
By JILL COLVIN
NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is finally getting his Madison Square Garden moment.
With just over a week to go before Election Day, the former president will take the stage at one of the country’s most iconic venues, hosting a hometown rally to deliver his campaign’s closing message against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Madison Square Garden is the center of the universe,” said Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller, noting the venue’s storied history hosting events including the 1971 “Fight of the Century.”
The rally is one of a series of detours Trump has made from battleground states, including a recent rally in Coachella, California — best known for the famous music festival named after the town — and one over the summer on the Jersey Shore. This summer he campaigned in the South Bronx.
While some Democrats and TV pundits have questioned Trump’s decision to hold what they dismiss as vanity events, the rally guarantees Trump what he most craves: the spotlight, wall-to-wall coverage and a national audience.
Along with trying to energize his base, Trump’s campaign has been trying to court the few remaining undecided voters, many of whom don’t get their news from traditional outlets.
To reach them, Trump has spent hours appearing on popular podcasts. And his campaign has worked to create viral moments like his visit last weekend to a McDonald’s restaurant, where he made fries and served supporters through the drive-thru window. Video of the stop posted by his campaign has been viewed more than 40 million times on TikTok alone.
“He’s not just going to be speaking to the attendees inside Madison Square Garden. There will be people tuning in from battleground states all across the country,” said former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin, a New York Republican and ally of the former president, who said Trump has been talking about holding an event at the venue since the start of his campaign.
Harris has also traveled to non-battleground states for major events intended to drive a national message. She appeared in Houston Friday with music superstar Beyoncé to speak about reproductive rights, and will deliver her own closing argument Tuesday from the Ellipse in Washington, where Trump spoke ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
Trump will be joined at the rally by supporters including Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who has spent tens of millions of dollars to boost his campaign.
‘The world’s most famous arena’Trump often compares himself to the country’s greatest entertainers. The former reality TV star has long talked about wanting to hold a rally at the venue dubbed “The World’s Most Famous Arena,” raising the idea in interviews and private conversations.
“New York is part of his DNA. Madison Square Garden is part of his DNA,” said New York State Republican Chairman Ed Cox.
While Trump continues to insist the rally is part of his effort to win New York — a state President Joe Biden carried four years ago with more than 60% of the vote — he’s made clear it’s also personal.
“It’s the New York, but it’s also, you know, it’s MSG, it’s Madison Square Garden,” Trump said during a recent radio interview. “Guys like you and I, that means a lot, those words. Madison Square Garden, right? Don’t you think so? … It’s a very big stop.”
The venue also has a history in politics, hosting events with Dwight Eisenhower and Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 1962, John F. Kennedy Jr. held a birthday celebration at the stadium where Marilyn Monroe famously sang “Happy Birthday to You, Mr. President.”
But if there’s one bit of Garden history Trump might want to replicate, it’s when Grover Cleveland accepted his party’s nomination in 1892, three years after leaving the White House. He went on to win the election, becoming the first and only president to serve two non-consecutive terms.
House control could run through New York’s suburbsBeyond the national spotlight and the appeal of appearing on one of the world’s most famous stages, Republicans in the state say the rally will also help down-ballot candidates.
New York is home to a handful of competitive congressional races that could determine which party controls the House next year.
Zeldin ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2022, but did better than expected, driving turnout in competitive districts that helped House Republicans win a tiny majority. That underscored, he said, the importance of the top of the ticket doing as well as possible. He said the Garden event is sure to be featured on newscasts in areas with high-stakes races like suburban Long Island, where Trump held a packed, raucous rally last month.
Trump will also use the stop as a major fundraising opportunity as he continues to seriously lag Harris in the money race.
A native returns to the city that made him and convicted himNew York has not voted for a Republican for president in 40 years. But that hasn’t stopped Trump from continuing to insist he believes he can win.
“We think there’s a chance,” he said on “The Brian Kilmeade Show” earlier this week, pointing to frustrations over an influx of migrants to the city and concerns over crime.
Trump routinely uses his hometown as a foil before audiences in other states, painting a dark vision of the city that bears little resemblance to reality. He’s cast it as crime-ridden and overrun by violent, immigrant gangs who have taken over Fifth and Madison avenues and occupied Times Square.
Trump has a complicated history with the place where he built his business empire and that made him a tabloid and reality TV star. Its residents indicted him last year on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. He was found guilty in that case, and also found liable in civil court for business fraud and sexual abuse.
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Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price in Novi, Michigan, contributed to this report.
Daily Horoscope for October 27, 2024
General Daily Insight for October 27, 2024
Speak with caution. As communicative Mercury struggles to work with awkward Chiron, discomfort can arise from words that were either miscommunicated or misinterpreted. When Mercury has similar struggles with overconfident Jupiter at 4:50 am EDT, we may open our mouths before thinking things through. Prideful thoughts can stumble into serious verbal blunders! The sensitive Moon is then at odds with both perfectionist Venus and serious Saturn — we might feel like we’re failing to be balanced or consistent. Choose words, and battles, wisely.
AriesMarch 21 – April 19
Be careful what you don’t wish for. You could be spending a lot of time talking about what you want to avoid rather than what you crave to achieve, which risks unintentionally damaging your inner drive forward. Continually bringing up your fears, your insecurities, or your dislikes might seem to draw them to you like a magnet, so it’s a better idea to focus on what you do want to keep around or attain. Try speaking with more positivity than you necessarily feel.
TaurusApril 20 – May 20
What you don’t say may impact you more than usual. When people in your life are waiting for you to make a statement, the more that you delay, the more anxiety can creep into their minds. You’d be wise to make an intentional effort to set up a time to meet with them in the near future. Even if you aren’t ready to say everything that’s on your mind just yet, you can show them they’re on your mind and you want to connect.
GeminiMay 21 – June 20
Certain friends may turn out to be not-so-friendly. Pay attention to your circle — is someone noticeably less happy for you when you succeed or staying quiet during celebrations in a way that doesn’t sit right with you? They may say something today that, one way or another, pushes you over the edge and makes it seem like they’re more satisfied by your failures than your triumphs. You don’t need people like this around you! Don’t hesitate to bring up your concerns.
CancerJune 21 – July 22
Watch what you say to authority figures. Your parents or boss may have a conversation with you that doesn’t sit right with your soul, and it might be difficult to bite your tongue when you want to correct them. Speaking up and facing the responding backlash or staying quiet and potentially regretting your silence later are both options. If possible, step back and contemplate the possible consequences. You may not be able to “win” the situation, but you can mitigate the risk of further conflict.
LeoJuly 23 – August 22
Take what you learn with a grain of salt. You may be in a class that is teaching you information that doesn’t quite resonate with your prior knowledge, or someone may be telling you a story without quite sharing all the details. It can be difficult to make your decisions based on this information, so you’d be wise to reserve full judgment until you can obtain more solid facts to go off of. People might sound immensely convincing, but trust your gut.
VirgoAugust 23 – September 22
Telling tales could get you in trouble. Whether you feel tempted to exaggerate the truth to drive your point home, or you have some gossip that’s so juicy you can hardly contain yourself, it’s important to reel yourself back in and make sure that you’re not speaking out of turn. What you say today could come back to bite you in the near future. You might think it’s inconsequential in the moment, but it’s unlikely to stay that way. Watch your mouth!
LibraSeptember 23 – October 22
Watch out for what’s being sold to you. There may be someone trying to make you feel secure, but they themselves might not trust what they’re telling you. Maybe they believe that if they’re able to get you on board, everything will work out, but they’re unlikely to be sure. Be aware of who is talking fast and trying to sell you a dream, because it could dissipate as fast as waking up. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
ScorpioOctober 23 – November 21
You may be tempted to skip any hard work. Today could contain an opportunity to jump a few steps and end up further along than you’re meant to be at this point. Even if you’re certain that you’re capable of going that far, you might not be as ready for the consequences as you think. Consistency and showing up for each step of the journey is a gift to yourself, even when it feels like a slog. Don’t rob yourself of the process.
SagittariusNovember 22 – December 21
Now is not the time to rely on unknowns. If someone’s asking you to take a leap of faith that doesn’t have a safety net below, consider the whole situation. Would going along with them put you more at risk than they are? While they could have the best, most genuine motivations, their ideal results might not have the staying power that you’re both hoping they would. Sometimes you have to be the voice of reason, and this is one of those times.
CapricornDecember 22 – January 19
Wires can get crossed when people in your life communicate with each other. This is less likely to involve you directly, but tragically likely to get you caught in the middle. Maybe someone that you’ve known for a long time is starting arguments with someone that you don’t know as well, like a family member debating with a new friend. Recognizing where you stand with everyone, regardless of your actual opinion, won’t be simple. Do your best to stay out of the hectic back-and-forth.
AquariusJanuary 20 – February 18
You might have a wide audience to what you’re saying. Your current words could be on a grand stage, whether you’re literally speaking in public or making a statement on social media. This means that it’ll be hard to take back whatever you’re saying, so be certain that you’re using your words carefully and paying attention to public perception of them. Stay tuned in and aware, because a lack of focus can and will cause you to lose face if you’re not careful.
PiscesFebruary 19 – March 20
Watch out for incorrect information! There may be some knowledge that you impart to someone else in your life today that isn’t quite aligned with the facts, and while you’re unlikely to be aware of this, other people could accuse you of being dishonest. Only you know in your heart whether or not you meant to bend the truth. Regardless, it’s a good idea to fact-check what you want to say before making any sweeping or intense statements. This is for your benefit and theirs!
No. 6 Miami Hurricanes trounce Florida State to remain undefeated
MIAMI GARDENS — Mark Fletcher Jr. knelt to the ground in the Hard Rock Stadium end zone and pointed to the sky.
The sophomore Miami running back and American Heritage alumnus took the field with a heavy heart just days after his father, Mark Fletcher Sr., died.
“That’s about as difficult of a thing I’ve seen,” UM coach Mario Cristobal said. “And Mark Jr. is about as good of a human being, competitor, teammate, brother as you could imagine. That was felt by the entire organization. Everybody knows (Mark Fletcher Sr.). He’s got the best seat in the house going forward, looking from above. I know he’s super proud of Mark.”
Fletcher scored the No. 6 Hurricanes’ (8-0, 4-0 ACC) first touchdown as they picked up a 36-14 win over scuffling rival Florida State (1-7, 1-6 ACC) in front of a sell-out crowd on Saturday night. The victory was Miami’s first over FSU since 2020 and Mario Cristobal’s first over the Seminoles as UM’s head coach.
“Two years ago, we stood up here and talked about building it, and it’s good to, a couple of years later into this, to see a picture like that and earn the title of state champions,” Cristobal said.
After Fletcher scored his emotional, game-opening touchdown, Damien Martinez kept the running game moving. Martinez caught a key first-down pass on third-and-20 and capped a 95-yard scoring drive with an 18-yard rushing touchdown.
The Seminoles, who have one of the nation’s worst offenses this year, got on the board after freshman quarterback Luke Kromenhoek broke a 42-yard run on a fourth-and-1 quarterback sneak. The Seminoles got to the 1-yard line and needed four plays for running back Caziah Holmes to get past UM’s defensive line and score FSU’s first touchdown.
Miami drove down the field in the final minutes of the first half but came up 2 yards short of the end zone. UM had to settle for a field goal and took a 17-7 lead into halftime. Borregales opened the second half with his second field goal of the game, putting Miami up 20-7.
The Seminoles tried to get back in the game with a fourth-down attempt late in the third quarter, but Miami brought a blitz on the pass play, and Akheem Mesidor took Kromenhoek down to give the ball back to UM’s offense. The ensuing drive ended with Borregales’ third field goal of the game.
FSU’s defense gave UM fits, notching four sacks and holding Miami to 445 yards of offense — the fewest the Hurricanes have accumulated all season and the first time they were held under 500 yards this year. But the Hurricanes did get a spark from a trick play late in the fourth quarter, as Elijah Arroyo got a pitch from Martinez and tossed a touchdown pass to Cam Ward — the first touchdown catch of his college career. Cristobal said the play is called “Texas” because both Arroyo and Ward are native Texans.
“I was smiling in the huddle,” Ward said. “The O-line, they already knew the play as soon as I started smiling.”
Martinez added a second touchdown late in the game, rushing 12 yards to put an exclamation point on Miami’s victory, even though Florida State scored a final touchdown in the final minute of the game.
Five takeaways 1. Offensive slowdownThe Hurricanes opened the game by carving up the Seminoles’ defense. Miami rolled down the field, capping the drive with a 1-yard score by Fletcher.
The rest of the first half would not come as easily. Miami did score on a 95-yard drive, but the offense, which entered the game ranked second in the nation, ended the first half with 17. Ward, who has played so well all season, had just 110 yards with no score in the first half. He ended the game with a season-low 208 yards and no passing touchdowns.
“They weren’t doing anything,” Ward said. “When you can run the ball like we can, it makes my job easier. Got the best two running backs in the country in Damien and (Fletcher).”
Miami’s offense could not find the end zone in the third quarter, coming just short of a pair of first downs that led to a pair of Borregales field goals. They utilized a trick play to score in the fourth quarter and added a rushing touchdown late in the game, but Miami still scored its fewest total points in a game Saturday.
2. Strong defense against a bad offenseFSU’s offense has been putrid this season, and the unit did not get anything going against a Miami defense that has been struggling.
If the Hurricanes had struggled against a bad Seminoles offense, warning bells would be ringing. But UM did its job against a bad offense, holding the Seminoles to 248 total yards — the lowest total by a Power 4 team against UM so far this year. The Hurricanes had three sacks and four tackles for loss.
“These guys came out and played,” linebacker Francisco Mauigoa said. I think the front four set the tone. These guys were getting pressure on the quarterback, they were rushing, and the DBs were their job, locking down. Overall, everybody did their job.”
3. Running game carries Miami offenseWhile FSU was creating issues in the passing game, the Miami running game picked up the slack.
Martinez led the team with 148 rushing yards — his first 100-yard game with the Hurricanes. Fletcher ended the game with 71 yards, and Ajay Allen had another 9 yards. Martinez and Fletcher combined for three of UM’s four touchdowns on Saturday. UM had 232 total rushing yards.
“Now he is really feeling comfortable in the system and what you see if just a very physical, tough dude,” Cristobal said of Martinez. “He’s hard to bring down. You’re not going to arm tackle him and he takes a lot of pride in making the first guy miss or running him over.”
4. Offensive line strugglesFSU’s pass rush has been solid this season, entering the game with 17 sacks (tied for 33rd nationally). Miami struggled to keep the defenders out of the backfield.
The Seminoles had four sacks in a losing effort and got a lot of pressure on Ward, who had to avoid FSU blitzers for much of the night.
5. Rivalry flipsFlorida State won the last three entries in this rivalry series, and Miami coach Mario Cristobal was 0-2 against the Hurricanes’ biggest rival since arriving as UM’s head coach before the 2022 season.
Last year, it looked like the Seminoles were ascending, going undefeated in the regular season and winning the ACC title. That undefeated season included a close win over UM in Tallahassee. But now the Hurricanes are the undefeated team, and FSU is spiraling, likely missing out on a bowl game this year (five-win teams can qualify for a bowl in certain circumstances).
The two programs appear to have swapped spots, with the Hurricanes looking like a team on the rise and the Seminoles have a big hole to climb from.
“Critically important to go out there and beat this program and to be undefeated in the state of Florida,” Cristobal said. “I think it sends a strong message. I think all recruits in state, out of state, can now clearly see the trajectory of this program vs. the trajectory of the other programs.
Down 3-0, Panthers score six straight goals, roar past host Islanders behind Tkachuk, Bennett
By: SCOTT CHARLES
NEW YORK (AP) — Matthew Tkachuk scored twice, Sam Bennett got the go-ahead goal in the third period, and the Florida Panthers rallied from three goals down to beat the New York Islanders 6-3 on Saturday night.
Sam Reinhart also scored, Mackie Samoskevich got his first NHL goal and Gustav Forsling added an short-handed empty-netter in the closing minutes to seal the Panthers’ win. Dmitry Kulikov and Anton Lundell each had two assists, and Spencer Knight finished with 25 saves as the defending Stanley-Cup Champions won their second straight.
Dennis Cholowski, Kyle Palmieri and Brock Nelson scored in the first period for New York. Semyon Varlamov finished with 22 saves as the Islanders lost for the second time in three games.
Knight allowed three goals on the first seven shots and then denied the next 22 shot attempts from the Islanders.
TakeawaysIslanders coach Patrick Roy has been unable to get the Islanders to protect leads, a characteristic that has plagued New York since Lane Lambert took over behind the bench after Barry Trotz was fired in May 2022. New York scored three straight goals in first period but allowed Florida to score six unanswered to win it.
Bennett has stepped up in captain Aleksander Barkov’s absence, scoring in four straight games including a go-ahead goal in third period against Islanders.
Key momentTkachuk found loose puck behind Varlamov and pulled the Panthers to within one goal. Florida seized momentum and completely erased the Islanders’ three-goal advantage by end of the second period.
Key statThe Islanders have scored at least three goals in five of their eight games. They have been shut out in other three.
Up NextThe Panthers visit Buffalo on Tuesday while the Islanders wrap up a brief two-game home stand against Anaheim.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
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