D
deleted1998
Guest
The Hurricanes' first report card is out: Gerald Willis,...
Article is behind a pay wall so I'll post a few tidbits. Ok, so more than a few. There's a lot more in the article. I'm a big fan of the Atlantc, I think it's worth every penny.
Still, Richt said Sunday he would like to see the bulk of the carries split between his top two backs. “Your top two backs, you want anywhere from 12 to 20 [touches] a game [for each] depending how the game goes,” Richt said. “[Saturday’s game at Toledo] was a game where we wanted to control the ball running the ball at times. That’s as much fun as I can have as a play caller, to dial up a run, another run, an 8-yard run, another run to get a first down on second and two. I can call those plays pretty good. I like to share the load, don’t think we’re in a day and age of a guy going 30 carries a game every game. It just doesn’t make sense."
The reintroduction of the fullback in short yardage situations has also helped Miami become a better team on the ground. Last season, the Hurricanes converted first downs on third down and 3 yards or less with the run only 9 times in 19 attempts. This season, UM is 6 of 9 when it runs the ball on 3rd down and 3 yards or less.
Sophomore Jeff Thomas has been as explosive a receiver as any in the country. He leads the nation in yards per catch (27.64) and the team in catches (11), yards (304) and targets (19).
“We challenged them, and they blocked a lot better. No sacks [were] big. We had a couple of pressures, one we ended up completing the ball, the other one we ended up not being able to get it out there far enough to hit Hightower on a deep [throw]. For the most part, they protected well. I think they’re getting better. We’re playing more guys. [Venzell] Boulware, [freshman] DJ Scaife got to play, and before it was all over pretty much they all got to play. They definitely know what they’re doing and they’re putting their hat on the right people.”
Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Gerald Willis has been a terror, leading all defensive linemen in the nation with seven tackles for loss.
According to Sports Info Solutions, Miami’s 37 quarterback pressures this season ranks tied with LSU, TCU, Missouri and Ball State for 36th nationally among Division I programs. Last season, Miami ranked third nationally in quarterback pressures with 237. Only USC (257) and Clemson (248) produced more.
Overall, the Hurricanes are doing a much better job on third down than a season ago. Last season, the Hurricanes allowed opponents to convert 39.5 percent of the time, which ranked 75th nationally. This season, UM ranks No. 1 in the country in third-down defense (7 of 43, 16.28%). Throw out Savannah State and the Canes are still elite, allowing FBS opponents to convert only five first downs on 27 third-down attempts (18.52%).
Michael Jackson, one of the top cover corners in the country, was beaten twice down the field in coverage against Toledo. He has been targeted 10 times and allowed four catches for 90 yards thus far this season, according to Sports Info Solutions.
On the other side of the field, Bandy has been targeted three times and he has allowed only one catch while intercepting another.
The Fab Five
Here’s who is in the early running for Team MVP and why:
1. Gerald Willis: The Hurricanes lead the nation in tackles for loss and are still pretty formidable on defense because it has Willis wreaking havoc up front on a regular basis.
2. Jeff Thomas: He has been the offense’s MVP hands down and could quietly enter the Heisman conversation if he keeps making explosive plays every week and the Hurricanes remain a Top 25 team.
3. Jaquan Johnson: His value as a leader in the secondary became evident the moment he went down against Toledo. If he’s out for an extended time, Miami could be in some trouble.
4. DeeJay Dallas: The sophomore has run the ball with vigor, and as long as the running game continues to be present the Hurricanes will have a shot at repeating as Coastal Division champions.
5. Shaq Quarterman: Miami’s run defense remains one of the best in the country because its middle linebacker doesn’t make many mistakes or miss many tackles.
Last season, the Hurricanes allowed opponents to convert on 3rd down and 3 yards or less 25 times in 40 rush attempts. This season? Miami hasn’t allowed an opponent to convert a 3rd and short yet in three tries.
Article is behind a pay wall so I'll post a few tidbits. Ok, so more than a few. There's a lot more in the article. I'm a big fan of the Atlantc, I think it's worth every penny.
Still, Richt said Sunday he would like to see the bulk of the carries split between his top two backs. “Your top two backs, you want anywhere from 12 to 20 [touches] a game [for each] depending how the game goes,” Richt said. “[Saturday’s game at Toledo] was a game where we wanted to control the ball running the ball at times. That’s as much fun as I can have as a play caller, to dial up a run, another run, an 8-yard run, another run to get a first down on second and two. I can call those plays pretty good. I like to share the load, don’t think we’re in a day and age of a guy going 30 carries a game every game. It just doesn’t make sense."
The reintroduction of the fullback in short yardage situations has also helped Miami become a better team on the ground. Last season, the Hurricanes converted first downs on third down and 3 yards or less with the run only 9 times in 19 attempts. This season, UM is 6 of 9 when it runs the ball on 3rd down and 3 yards or less.
Sophomore Jeff Thomas has been as explosive a receiver as any in the country. He leads the nation in yards per catch (27.64) and the team in catches (11), yards (304) and targets (19).
“We challenged them, and they blocked a lot better. No sacks [were] big. We had a couple of pressures, one we ended up completing the ball, the other one we ended up not being able to get it out there far enough to hit Hightower on a deep [throw]. For the most part, they protected well. I think they’re getting better. We’re playing more guys. [Venzell] Boulware, [freshman] DJ Scaife got to play, and before it was all over pretty much they all got to play. They definitely know what they’re doing and they’re putting their hat on the right people.”
Fifth-year senior defensive tackle Gerald Willis has been a terror, leading all defensive linemen in the nation with seven tackles for loss.
According to Sports Info Solutions, Miami’s 37 quarterback pressures this season ranks tied with LSU, TCU, Missouri and Ball State for 36th nationally among Division I programs. Last season, Miami ranked third nationally in quarterback pressures with 237. Only USC (257) and Clemson (248) produced more.
Overall, the Hurricanes are doing a much better job on third down than a season ago. Last season, the Hurricanes allowed opponents to convert 39.5 percent of the time, which ranked 75th nationally. This season, UM ranks No. 1 in the country in third-down defense (7 of 43, 16.28%). Throw out Savannah State and the Canes are still elite, allowing FBS opponents to convert only five first downs on 27 third-down attempts (18.52%).
Michael Jackson, one of the top cover corners in the country, was beaten twice down the field in coverage against Toledo. He has been targeted 10 times and allowed four catches for 90 yards thus far this season, according to Sports Info Solutions.
On the other side of the field, Bandy has been targeted three times and he has allowed only one catch while intercepting another.
The Fab Five
Here’s who is in the early running for Team MVP and why:
1. Gerald Willis: The Hurricanes lead the nation in tackles for loss and are still pretty formidable on defense because it has Willis wreaking havoc up front on a regular basis.
2. Jeff Thomas: He has been the offense’s MVP hands down and could quietly enter the Heisman conversation if he keeps making explosive plays every week and the Hurricanes remain a Top 25 team.
3. Jaquan Johnson: His value as a leader in the secondary became evident the moment he went down against Toledo. If he’s out for an extended time, Miami could be in some trouble.
4. DeeJay Dallas: The sophomore has run the ball with vigor, and as long as the running game continues to be present the Hurricanes will have a shot at repeating as Coastal Division champions.
5. Shaq Quarterman: Miami’s run defense remains one of the best in the country because its middle linebacker doesn’t make many mistakes or miss many tackles.
Last season, the Hurricanes allowed opponents to convert on 3rd down and 3 yards or less 25 times in 40 rush attempts. This season? Miami hasn’t allowed an opponent to convert a 3rd and short yet in three tries.
....
