The Miami Hurricanes pulled out their third straight close win of the season. Cam Ward once again showed that he’s an elite QB with an uncanny ability to convert 3rd downs.
The Miami Hurricanes continue their undefeated season after knocking off Louisville 52-45 on Saturday afternoon. The Hurricanes (7-0, 3-0 in ACC) held on to beat the Cardinals (4-3, 2-2) on their home turf in front of a sold out crowd.
The Canyonero Keys to Victory for the Cars were:
1- Show up for your toughest game. This is Miami’s toughest game of the season when it comes to SP+, as well as being a road game coming off of the dreaded Manny-Mario idle week curse. Instead of coming out cold, Miami won both the 1st and 2nd quarters by taking a 24-17 lead into the break.
2- Stop Isaac Brown. Brown scored and averaged 6.2 yards per carry but he wasn’t the 100+ yard difference maker he could’ve been. I’ll get into that more in the film session.
3- Play clean football. This is one area of concern that Miami has defied so far this season but has remained undefeated. Miami had a costly fumble that swung momentum, 55 penalty yards, allowed a kickoff return for a TD, got fooled on a key fake punt, damn near fumbled away the exchange on the kneel down- AND STILL WON.
The Doppler
So how did the ‘Canes do those deeds above in the third “key” and still win? Miami once again dominated third down. The ‘Canes offense finished 9-of-15 compared to UofL’s 3-of-12. Both teams offenses won 4th down. UM finished 2-of-2 while Louisville converted all three of their attempts.
Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Louisville and Miami both turned the ball over one time, and both resulted in touchdowns. Miami was flagged for 55 penalty yards on five calls while L’ville was flagged six times for 38 yards.
Cards kicker Brock Travelstead missed a deep field goal early on while Andres Borregales positions himself for the Lou Groza Award by moving to 8-of-9 on FG’s on the season.
The ‘Canes Offense
Cam Ward had one hell of a game, and without much of his usual theatrics. Instead of struggling and then putting on a show- he was all show from the go (I… dunno?). Ward averaged 10 yards per pass attempt, threw four TD’s, and did not turn the football over. On the ground he also picked up a huge 3rd down run.
Speaking of the ground game, Mario Cristobal finally got fyzical this season. Damien Martinez looked renewed as he rushed for 89 yards on 7.1 per carry and a touchdown. Mark Fletcher did have the costly fumble but rushed for 5.6 yards per carry while Ajay Allen came in to score one touchdown on 6.2 yards per rush.
Only six Hurricanes caught a pass against the Cards, but three picked up explosives. Xavier Restrepo led the team in receptions with seven including a TD; while Sam Brown led the group in yards per catch with 41.7 and a touchdown.
The Miami offensive line allowed three sacks and three tackles for loss. While the were sketchy at times in pass protection, they were saved by Ward’s movement and the backs having huge yards after contact numbers. If you like defensive football and fundamentals- this was NOT your game.
Above– Ward sure can throw some beautiful passes. This was my offensive play of the game- the arm, the placement, the catch.
Above– I don’t love Ward throwing off his back foot like a fade away jumper all the time but when it works it works. He hits Brown here vs. a busted coverage for a TD.
Above– The majority of Ward’s sacks allowed this season come when he holds the ball entirely too long (more than 2.6 seconds) in the pocket. He’s looking to go downfield far too often for the big one instead of releasing and picking up 5-6 with his legs.
Above– Rub routes in the deep red zone are such a smart concept. Restrepo being the target is even smarter. He’s such a crisp route runner as well as sure handed. He’s improved a ton in four years and will be a massive loss when he’s in the NFL.
Above- Mark Fletcher fumbled the ball away and swung the momentum back to the Cards. This was just one of those back and forth battles that Miami had to survive. The ‘Canes need an emphasis on ball security before playing Georgia Tech and Syracuse who both like to rip at the football.
Above– Another Ward Magic play. I thought he was sacked by Ashton Gillotte but he got the throw off. I assumed it was a pick and maybe worse a pick 6… nope it’s another big play for Ward and the offense.
Above– I’m vehemently against 6-8 year college football players but if Cam McCormick is on the team use him to his strengths. He dominates Gillotte and Ajay Allen scampers in with good vision and patience.
Above- Damien Martinez had been disappointing prior to the off week. I don’t care about his 2-yard TD runs against Ball State. I wanted to see this type of performance and he came through huge. This was the fastest and hardest he’d ran since coming to Miami.
The ‘Canes Defense
QB Tyler Shough threw four touchdowns without an interception on 6.7 yards per attempt. Shough isn’t a runner but more of an Eli Manning type that can boot out and buy a little time without having to take off.
RB Isaac Brown fumbled and cost UofL a touchdown in a one score game, that was a tough sequence for the freshman from Homestead, FL. Brown, Duke Watson, and Don Chaney all had explosive carries and a solid game against Miami. You could argue that Watson should’ve gotten the ball even more but the Cards did score 45 points.
Ja’Corey Brooks was worth the hype as he averaged 17.8 yards per catch with two scores. Chris Bell and Caullin Lacy also had double-digit yards per catch games vs. the Miami defense.
Above– This is the Brown long touchdown run to put the Cards up 7-3. DC Lance Guidry loves his line games. Just like against Florida the defense loses the edge. Akheem Mesidor goes under the OT to work to the C Gap.
Tyler Baron plays far too tall the majority of his snaps including this one. He’s stiff in the hips and ankles which causes him to come out of his stance tall and stay there. Baron can’t slow the RB down, and then there’s Jaden Harris.
Harris is a mix of slow and lacking in Football IQ. Miami has been terrible at pursuit angles for a decade no matter who the DC has been. Harris has the advantage and some how winds up behind the play.
Above– I’m a huge fan of the end zone view on All-22, and on TV tape.
Above– The CB takes away outside leverage to funnel the WR to his safety. The safety then fails to track properly to make the finish, and it’s an explosive play downfield.
Above– Shough progresses through this as a full field read. He’s looking flat to flat essentially. The UL TE actually runs this a little too deep putting two receiving threats in the same zone. You’d prefer front pylon-back pylon.
Above– This is defensive football. First guy stands him up, second guy delivers the knockout shot. Vice tackling is working outside-in from two players to converge on the ball carrier. This creates the turnover and Raul Aguirre aggressively dives over the pile to get the ball and a touchdown.
Above- Don Chaney shook three ‘Canes out of their shoes here. When you take bad angles and track the far hip to work head across this is what happens. This is why teams that tackle well track the near hip and put their shoulder on the near thigh.
Above– If you’re a fan of fundamentals this wasn’t your favorite game. More missed tackles, lack of pursuit angles and a lack of vice tackling. Miami has to work on tandem tackling more, even if it’s a tag off type of game.
Above– Miami drops 8 and uses a spy on Tyler Shough (why?!) and L’ville still drills this throw in for a score. If the DB’s are never going to make a play just bring pressure.
Above– Kiko Mauigoa is and should be a guy to pick on for teams with RB’s and TE’s that can catch. He’s a box player if they still exist in the 2020’s.
Above– If you know you’re in man, 1-on-1, why are you playing outside leverage in the deep red zone? The easier throw is the slant not the fade. Take away the easy slant and force the fade on 2nd and goal.
The ‘Canes Kicking Game
The special teams for Miami were a mess. Miami allowed a fake punt to pick up a 4th down conversion and a kickoff return for a TD from Lacy. Also, there was little spark from Chris Johnson on KOR or Ray Ray Joseph on punt return.
Above– Where do you really get to see a team that doesn’t understand tracking, leverage and working in tandem? KICK OFF COVERAGE. Miami’s defensive woes were exposed here on the 100 yard KOR.
Above– I loved this game as a whole because of the guts shown by both coaches. 4th down tries, fake punts, trick plays- that was my kind of football game in that regard.
The Wrap
The Miami Hurricanes are riding high on an undefeated season and a real shot at the ACC Championship Game. First Miami has to survive a rivalry matchup against the Florida State Seminoles.
If Miami can keep the turnovers down (one per game is fairly typical) and clean up the defensive communication the sky is the limit. For the first time since Al Golden was on campus the offense is going to have to bail the defense out and put up huge numbers.