From the Ashes.

[Soapy]

Former walk-on Hugh Benson channeling his inner Ray Lewis in return to Coral Gables
By Manny Ledo, Miami Herald Sports Writer • 8 min read

Miami linebacker Hugh Benson was not a highly recruited prospect out of high school so when the former walk-on turned himself into the portal's top available player, he wasn't sure how to handle the recruiting process.

"Do I just call them and tell them I want to come back?"

That's what Benson asked his father before entering the transfer portal, quickly becoming the most sought after linebacker in the nation. Benson ended up at Miami, where he ultimately wanted to play his senior year at but had just one ask.

"I really wanted to wear [number 52]," Benson says, "My dad is a huge Ravens fan, he's from [Maryland] so it's in the blood. I grew up a Ray Lewis fan without even knowing he played at Miami so it just fit perfectly."

The number was already being worn by outside linebacker Walt Coffey, who also grew up a fan of Lewis wand wasn't going to let the number go. The two linebackers would playfully banter about who was the 'real Ray Lewis' so one practice, Benson conspired with members of Miami's equipment staff -- who he was well acquainted with from his time as a walk-on -- and came out to practice in Lewis' trademark bulky shoulder pads, cut off jersey and black visor.

"Everyone was laughing at first but then I had my best practice that week," Benson shrugs, "I decided to stick with it and then in [fall camp], I figured the next best thing was flipping his number and now I'm bizzarro Ray Lewis."

Benson's journey to being a key member of Miami's quest for a sixth national championship has been a winding road. Benson was an all-state selection at Stoneman Douglas High School...in lacrosse but his true passion was always on the gridiron. Visiting college coaches would fall in love with Benson's size, speed and general athleticism but truth be told, they all questioned his toughness and if football was for him.

"I heard that all the time. Is he really a football player? I don't know, something about my demeanor or the way I played gave people that pause," says Benson, who walked on at Miami, taking out student loans in order to get through the first semester.

He had hoped to earn a scholarship on the scout team but the Hurricanes had gone out and signed a loaded recruiting class with five-star linebackers like Coffey and James Fernandez along with a four-star in Jacques Turk. The writing was on the wall that while Benson was welcomed to continue being a walk-on, a scholarship likely wasn't in his future.

He made the tough decision to abandon his dream of playing for the Hurricanes and transferred to Arkansas State, where the lower cost in tuition was feasible as he earned a scholarship following a solid first year with the Red Wolves. He continued to progress over the course of the next two years, recording nineteen tackles for loss and six sacks while his 'finesse' style of play in coverage became exactly what teams were looking for in a coverage linebacker.

"He eats up space," says head coach Mario Cristobal of Benson, "He just does a really good job of feeling out the play, knowing where the threats are, where the offense might be trying to exploit and when he sees it, he's gone."

Benson's recruitment was an easy one, according to Benson, as he had always wanted to come back to Miami. When Fernandez declared for the draft along with another starting linebacker in Cam Pruitt, the stars aligned for his return to not only be feasible, but a match made in heaven.

He's part of a three-man crew at linebacker along with Turk, who once forced him out of Coral Gables, and third-year linebacker Isaiah Rugamba.

"He's played a lot of football," says Turk of his new teammate, "He's got size, speed, and everything you want in a linebacker really. It's hard to imagine that he was ever a walk-on but from everything I've heard about him was that he was a great guy, the type of guy you want in your locker room and he's been that. He still plays hard like he's fighting for a scholarship, still humble like he's a walk-on but when that whistle blows, ain't nothing soft about him."

[Soapy]

A kickoff game against a team that was 3-9 last season? Nasty work.

that's what the game said mayne.

[Soapy]

Hurricanes release first depth chart of the season prior to opener against FAU
Eve Hartenstein-- South Florida Sun-Sentinel Beat Writer

MIAMI GARDENS —The Hurricanes released their first depth chart of the season prior to their season-opening game against the Owls of Florida Atlantic University.

Miami's social media account posted a graphic prior to the release, announcing that, as expected, Keke Hagg is QB1. Hagg was award the number one jersey heading into fall camp and was a representative of the program during ACC Media Day, putting to rest any notion of a quarterback battle between him and Bernie Flowers.

As usual, there were very few surprises but the offensive line was certainly of note. Senior Juan Minaya, who started every game last season, is listed as a co-starter at center and both guard spots while Dominick Longo and Richard Cookus are starting at the guard spots. Deryc Plazz, as expected, is the starting left tackle with George Robledo at the right tackle spot.

Another interesting aspect is that while 1,000-yard rusher Isaac Brown is listed as the starter, there are five co-backups in seniors Micah Kaapana, Andre Devine, Maurice Rugamba and junior Deron Tryon.

Miami Hurricanes Two-Deep Depth Chart
Quarterback
#1 Keke Hagg, Jr
#11 Bernie Flowers, Rs Fr

Tailback
#25 Isaac Brown, Rs Sr
#35 Micah Kaapana, Rs Sr OR
#31 Andre Devine, Rs Sr OR
#7 Maurice Rugamba, Sr OR
#23 Deron Tryon, Jr

Wide Receiver - X
#6 Davon Momah, Jr
#4 Max North, Fr

Wide Receiver - F
#18 David Tompkins, Sophomore
#8 Etinosa Ha, Freshman

Wide Receiver - Z
#2 Miguel Escobar, Rs Jr
#4 Max North, Fr

Tight End
#5 Juan Woodside, Jr
#0 Orlando Lord, Rs Fr

Left Tackle
#79 Deryc Plazz, Rs Sr
#53 Damian Carmona, Rs Jr

Left Guard
#67 Dominick Longo, Rs So OR
#77 Juan Minaya, Rs Sr

Center
#55 Nico Francavilla, Rs Sr OR
#77 Juan Minaya, Rs Sr

Right Guard
#65 Richard Cookus, Rs Jr OR
#77 Juan Minaya, Rs Sr

Right Tackle
#66 George Robledo, Rs Jr
#71 Taylor Warmack, Rs So

Left End
#9 Shaun Turner, Jr
#97 Doug Bean, Rs Jr

Nose Tackle
#42 Artavius Jones, Rs Sr OR
#16 Kevin Yeboah, Sr
#99 Dan Mintze, Rs Jr OR
#94 Rico Veasy, Rs Jr

Right End
#8 Marshall Kearns, Sr
#98 Elias Williams, Rs Sr

JOKER Linebacker
#52 Walt Coffey, Sr
#33 Booker Pickett, Rs Sr OR
#43 David Vallos, Rs Fr

MIKE Linebacker
#25 Hugh Benson, Rs Sr
#7 Isaiah Rugamba, Jr

WILL Linebacker
#1 Jacques Turk, Sr
#28 Alonzo DuBois, Jr

SAM Linebacker
#91 Elias Rudolph, Rs Sr
#44 Cole McConathy II, Rs Sr

STAR/NICKEL
#13 Robby Washington, Rs Sr
#4 Jalon Thompason, Rs Sr OR
#5 Paul Webb, Rs Jr

Cornerback
#6 O.J. Frederique Jr, Rs Sr
#17 Manuel Arcuri, Rs So

Safety
#10 Tommy Stacy, Rs Jr
#12 Max Hakim, Rs Fr OR
#23 Alec Lawrence, Rs So

Safety
#0 LaMarcus Cook, Rs Jr
#2 Paul Rhinehart, Jr

Cornerback
#3 Elias Raines, Rs Jr
#11 Jamar Rattay, Jr

Placekicker
#15 James Rutter, Sr

Punter
#10 Andy Hocker, So

Long Snapper
#86 Adrian Meekins, Sr

[Captain Canada]

Chip season. I can sense it in the air.

[The JZA]

Leggo, there's work to be done!

[Soapy]

‣ CFB 2028 Regular Season, Week 1 - Camping World Stadium, Orlando, Florida
(0-0, 0-0 AAC) Florida Atlantic Owls vs #1 Miami Hurricanes (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

---

FAU | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13
MIA | 3 | 23 | 14 | 7 | 47

Hurricanes overcome slow start to rout Owls in Camping World Kickoff
The Miami Hurricanes were faced with third and sixteen, backed up on their own nine-yard line after having already punted and allowed Florida Atlantic to take the 7-0 lead. Hagg's completion to Isaac Brown would help steady Miami's shaky start against the Owls, eventually twenty-five unanswered points in their 47-13 rout of Florida Atlantic.

The explosion of offense, led by Andre Devine's punt return for a touchdown, would be temporarily stymied by three turnovers from Hagg with two interceptions and a fumble. Hagg would eventually find his rhythm once more in the second half, leading the Hurricanes to a touchdown drive that culminated with his touchdown pass to Davon Momah.

Hagg played only three quarters, throwing for 201 yards and rushing for an additional 77 yards with three total touchdowns. Hagg took responsibilities for the turnovers after the game, saying he was trying to do too much instead of playing within the offense. He was sacked four times behind an offensive line that featured four first time starters, including left tackle Deryc Plazz who surrendered three sacks.

True freshman Jeff Beavers got into the game in the fourth quarter, throwing a touchdown pass to Jacksonville State transfer Andre Devine. Devine carried the ball four times, caught three passes as a receiver and returned a punt for a touchdown in his Miami debut.

Allen Flynn's night lasted only two plays, getting injured and leaving the game to be replaed by Marquise Busby who led the Owls on a scoring drive in his first possession but would go on to throw three interceptions, including a pick six, and was sacked nine times.

---

Scoring Summary
Quarter 1
Charles Shelley, 4 Yd run (8:56)
James Rutter, 34 Yd FG (1:49)

Quarter 2
Andre Devine, returned punt 52 Yds (9:32)
Keke Hagg, 3 Yd run (2:17)
Max North 8 Yd pass from Keke Hagg (1:46)
Team Safety (1:30)

Quarter 3
Tim Raiola, 25 Yd FG (5:14)
Davon Momah 4 Yd pass from Keke Hagg (1:33)
O.J. Frederique Jr returned interception 36 Yds (0:14)

Quarter 4
Andre Devine 43 Yd pass from Jeff Beavers (3:37)
Tim Raiola, 32 Yd FG (1:48)

---

Player Stats
QB Marquise Busby: 20-32, 195 yds, 3 INT, sacked 9 times
QB Keke Hagg: 25-34, 201 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT, sacked 4 times, 14 att, 77 yds, TD, fumble (lost)
QB Jeff Beavers: 2-5, 44 yds, TD

HB Charles Shelley: 18 car, 105 yds, TD
HB Maurice Rugamba: 12 car, 66 yds
HB Isaac Brown: 5 att, 21 yds, fumble (lost)

WR Caesar Saavedra: 4 rec, 70 yds
WR Jadrian Poindexter: 4 rec, 33 yds
WR Max North: 4 rec, 37 yds, TD
WR Davon Momah: 4 rec, 34 yds, TD
HB Andre Devine: 3 rec, 51 yds, TD

LT Deryc Plazz: 57.4 PFF grade
LG Dominick Longo: 96.6 PFF grade
C Nico Francavilla: 93.8 PFF grade
RG Richard Cookus: 94.6 PFF grade
RT George Robledo: 79.4 PFF grade

CB Cameron Goggins: 15 tkl, TFL, INT
S Ayden Armstrong: 11 tkl, INT
LB Chris Gaston: 6 tkl, 3 TFL, 2 sacks
CB O.J. Frederique: 6 tkl, INT, TD
DT Artavius Jones: 4 tkl, 3 TFL, 3 sacks
DE Anthony Westerman: 3 tkl, TFL, 2.5 sacks
CB Jalon Thompson: INT
CB Jamar Rattay: INT

[Soapy]

Chip season. I can sense it in the air.

Leggo, there's work to be done!

Yessir, bit of a rocky start but we shook back.

Editor's Note: I've changed my house rules to allow me to pick a play from any of the suggested plays. It was getting too repetitive with just the first page.

[Soapy]

Week 1 Top Stories
1. Fans in South Bend are celebrating after #10 Notre Dame defeats rival #9 Pittsburgh
2. No. 2 Tennessee dominates No. 7 West Virginia 37-7 at Bank of America Stadium
3. Iowa knocks Alabama out of the top five
4. Florida State falls against LSU
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 1 ACC Results
GT 26 - WAKE 07 | ND 21 - PITT 19
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Week 2 ACC Schedule
NC State (1-1, 0-0) at Stanford (1-0, 0-0)
#6 Notre Dame (1-0, 0-0) at #24 Florida State (0-1, 0-0)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Week 2 Notable Games
#7 Cincinnati (1-0, 0-0) at #4 Clemson (1-0, 0-0)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Players of the Week
WR Jalen Courage: W 52-28 vs. San Diego State » 6 rec, 168 yds, 4 TD
DT Artavius Jones: W 47-13 at Florida Atlantic » 4 tkl, 3 sacks
-------
WR Titus Cavka: W 47-32 vs. Liberty » 11 rec, 184 yds, 3 TD
DT Artavius Jones: W 47-13 at Florida Atlantic » 4 tkl, 3 sacks

[James]

2 INTs?

Gotta correct that.

[Soapy]

Week 2 Preview: vs. South Florida Bulls
2027 Record: 9-4, 6-2 AAC
Record: 1-0, 0-0
Head Coach: Mark Carney
Offensive Scheme: Spread
Defensive Scheme: 4-2-5

Team Leaders
Passing: DeAndre Murphey (62 cmp%, 210 yds, 2 TD, 0 INT, 152.7 passer rating)
Rushing: Alvon Isaac (55 yards, 3.1 ypc, 2 TD)
Receiving: Arkese Parks (3 receptions, 60 yards, TD)
Blocking: 4 sacks allowed
Defense: Torry Landry (14 tackles, 2 TFL, 0.5 sack, 2 PBU)

Last Meeting
CFB 2025 Regular Season, Week 2 - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida
(0-1, 0-0 AAC) South Florida Bulls 00 - 26 Miami Hurricanes (1-0, 1-0 ACC)
--- QB Nicholas Vattiato: 22-34, 310 yds, 3 TD, 2 INT, sacked 4 times
--- WR Jeremiah Smith: 6 rec, 143 yds, TD
--- QB Byrum Brown: 27-40, 256 yds, 2 INT, sacked 9 times
--- DE Dinellson Exume: 8 tkl, 3 TFL

Injuries
None

South Florida Bulls Key Players
QB #6 DeAndre Murphey, Rs Junior » 79 ovr, 87 spd, 91 acc, 88 cod, 89 thp, 91 sac, 81 mac, 80 dac
HB #10 Alvon Isaac, Rs Senior » 87 ovr, 97 spd, 99 acc, 98 cod, 67 car, 74 spm, 72 jkm
WR #24 Arkese Parks, Rs » 83 ovr, 99 spd, 99 acc, 92 cod, 88 cth
TE #11 Jonathan Echols, Rs Senior » 83 ovr, 85 spd, 90 acc, 84 cod, 91 cth
EDGE #33 Ashton Mosley, Rs Senior » 88 ovr, 80 spd, 89 acc, 79 str, 81 pmv, 90 fmv, 69 bsh
LB #6 Jonathan Sills, Rs Sophomore » 82 ovr, 79 spd, 90 acc, 82 tkl, 71 bsh, 69 mcv, 88 zcv
CB #42 Kendyll Malone, Rs Senior » 85 ovr, 90 spd, 94 acc, 99 cod, 89 mcv, 86 zcv, 79 press

Hard Rock Bet™
Spread: Miami -15
Moneyline: USF +813
Over: 65