Miami Hurricanes Unable to Overcome Slow Start, Fall 20-13 to UNC
North Carolina used an early Miami Hurricanes miscue to score on its first drive, led 20-3 at halftime and outlasted UM 20-13 to hand the Hurricanes their second straight loss at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday.
North Carolina won the coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. Miami’s Malcolm Lewis inexplicably stepped out of bounds at the three-yard line on the opening kickoff. The ball was likely headed out of bounds or at least into the end zone. The Hurricanes would have had the ball at the 25 or 35, instead of the three.
Miami went three and out and the Tar Heels took over on their own 42 after a 50-yard punt by Justin Vogel. Miami Head Coach Mark Richt speaking with Hurricanes Radio Analyst Don Bailey Jr. after the praised Vogel for punting for a 47 yard average with good hang time.
North Carolina drove 33 yards in seven plays that culminated with a 42 yard Nick Weiler Field Goal to give the Tar Heels a 3-0 lead they would never relinquish. The Tar Heels blocked a 35 yard Michael Badgley Field Goal attempt on Miami’s next drive and took over at their own 20.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
| Falcons | 0 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 13 |
| Falcons | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
UNC drove 80 yards on 12 plays in 4:05 that was capped by a
to
five-yard touchdown pass. That pushed the ‘Heels lead to 10-0. Weiler kicked a 52-yard field goal and Trubisky connected with
on a one-yard touchdown pass with 18 seconds left in the second quarter to give the Tar Heels a commanding 20-3 lead at the intermission.
Miami’s inability to get off the field on third down was decimating throughout the entire game. The Tar Heels went 3-4 on third down on their first two drives. They continued their hot streak converting four of six on third down in the second quarter. They finished the game 14-23 on third down.
The Hurricanes entered the game 12th nationally allowing teams to convert on just 28.2 percent of their third down conversations. North Carolina’s alarming success on third down was arguably the difference in the game. Other than that, the Hurricanes defense bent, but didn’t break in the second half.
Miami shutout the Tar Heels after halftime, holding them to 173 yards in the last two-quarters. Their third down defense improved but still allowed UNC to convert 7-13 on third downs in the second half.
After having the ball for nearly two minutes longer in the first half, Miami was dominated in time of possession in the second half. The TOP was a question mark coming in. Both teams ranked in the bottom fifth nationally in time of possession entering the game.
The Tar Heels like a high tempo offense. Mark Richt has also utilized a quick tempo offense at times this season. UNC had the ball for 18:53 seconds in the second half. They were able to control the ball and still keep a high tempo offense.
UNC ran 89 plays to the Hurricanes 68 and had the ball for 32:59 for the game to UM’s 27:01. What was a dominant rushing offense through the first three game has had its problems in the ACC.