Nicholas Vattiato and Emory Williams reportedly split first team reps at practice ahead of FSU matchup By Manny Ledo, Miami Herald Sports Writer • 8 min read
We appear to be trending towards a game time decision for the Miami Hurricanes starting quarterback spot this Saturday against Florida State.
Nicholas Vattiato — who has started every game this season for Miami — and backup Emory Williams each took reps with the first-team this week, a source said. Williams led Miami to a double-overtime victory against Clemson in his first collegiate start back in 2023. The Canes are leaning heavily toward starting Vattiato on Saturday, but the decision might not be known until game time.
It's worth noting that neither quarterback spoke to the media this week. On a regular week, Vattiato is made available. When asked about it, head coach Mario Cristobal said this:
"I appreciate the question and I will respectfully say this, just from a game planning standpoint and a team dynamic standpoint. I wouldn't use this forum to discuss a personnel move, especially at that position, because it affects so many different things. What I will always say is that we are always competing at every position, and we are always assessing, and we will always make the decisions that gives us the best chance to win."
Vattiato was pulled against Stanford after throwing two interceptions. Williams replaced him, completing sixteen of his eighteen passes with each of his drives ending in scores. On the season, Vattiato leads the ACC with 1,996 passing yards and eighteen touchdowns but his twelve interceptions are third most in the country.
Week 9 Preview: at #5 Florida State Seminoles
Record: 5-1, 2-1 ACC
Head Coach: Mike Norvell
Offensive Scheme: Spread
Defensive Scheme: 4-2-5
Team Schedule
vs. #14 Alabama (3-2): W 36-33
vs. Wake Forest (3-5): W 33-21
at Michigan State (2-5): W 28-7
vs. Kent State (3-3): W 31-13
vs. #1 Virginia Tech (8-0): L 14-10
at #16 Clemson (4-2): W 26-17
Team Leaders
Passing: Luke Kromenhoek (63 cmp%, 990 yards, 8 TD, 3 INT, 155.3 passer rating)
Rushing: Roydell Williams (588 yards, 6.0 ypc, 5 TD)
Receiving: Jahron Langston (31 receptions, 436 yards, 4 TD)
Blocking: 10 sacks allowed
Defense: Marvin Jones Jr. (25 tackles, 4 TFL, 4.5 sacks)
Miami's Emory Williams stars in 38-17 win over Florida State
Miami Hurricanes offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Shannon Dawson was easing his redshirt sophomore quarterback into the game as Emory Williams was making his first start of the season, the first start of his career since he broke his arm in the same stadium two years ago.
The Hurricanes kept it safe with short passes, bubble screens and relying on their running game midway through the second quarter, all tied up at seven apiece. But it was now fourth and ten from the Seminoles 33-yard line and Miami was going for it.
Williams stood in the pocket, amidst the impending pressure from Florida State's front and delivered a perfect pass to Jeremiah Smith on a rope, nineteen yards down the field. Miam had found its quarterback.
The Hurricanes would score on the next play and never gave up the lead, scoring three touchdowns in that second quarter to beat Florida State 38-17 in dominating fashion.
Florida State tried to keep pace with an impressive counter following Eric Incoom's kickoff return for a touchdown as Luke Kromenhoek completed pass of 24 and 32 yards to Jahron Langston to set up the nine-yard touchdown pass to Darnell Lee with 1:03 remaining in the first half to make it a one score game with Florida State getting the ball to start the second half.
Doak Campbell Stadium was ready to erupt on third and five with 43 seconds remaining and the chance for Florida State's offense to cut into the lead even more but Williams found Arroyo for the first down and more, picking up 74 yards. Maurice Rubamga reached the endzone two plays later.
Williams wasn't named the starter until an hour before the game when head coach Mario Cristobal told him that he'd be getting the start. Both Williams and previous starter Nicholas Vattiato took snaps with the first team offense this past week with the intention being to play both quarterbacks but Williams never relented, completing 84 percent of his passes for 322 yards and most importantly, no turnovers. Miami's offense never punted with the only drives that didn't end in points come as a result of two missed kicks from freshman James Rutter. Scoring Summary Quarter 1 Joshisa Trader 2 Yd pass from Emory Williams (8:09) Roydell Williams, 4 Yd run (1:35)
Quarter 2 Ray Ray Joseph 14 Yd pass from Emory Williams (5:34) Eric Incoom, returned punt 75 Yds (3:37) Darnell Lee 9 Yd pass from Luke Kromenhoek (0:59) Maurice Rugamba, 1 Yd run (0:12)
Quarter 3 Kahlil Dogg, 22 Yd FG (3:52)
Quarter 4 Jeremiah Smith 1 Yd pass from Emory Williams (8:25) James Rutter, 20 Yd FG (5:27) Player Stats QB Emory Williams: 28-33, 322 yds, 3 TD, sacked once QB Luke Kromenhoek: 14-21, 188 yds, TD, sacked 3 times
HB Chris Johnson Jr: 9 att, 66 yds HB Mark Fletcher Jr: 9 att, 39 yds HB Maurice Rugamba: 8 att, 30 yds, TD HB Roydell Williams: 21 att, 114 yds, TD
