Miami Hurricanes Need to Work on 3rd, 4th Down Defense

The Miami Hurricanes 41-13 victory over Bethune-Cookman looked like a routine victory. There was plenty to be pleased with, but UM still left some things to be concerned with heading into week two.

The biggest of those was the Hurricanes defense on third and fourth down. The Wildcats had 350 yards of total offense. It was the way they were able to keep drives alive that has to have Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Mark Richt and Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz concerned with the performance of the defense on third and fourth down.

Bethune-Cookman went nine for 17 on third down and two for two on fourth down. The Wildcats set the tone early on their first drive offensively on the key downs. Although they were zero for two on third down, they were one for one on fourth.

The first drive included a big 12 yard gain on third and 28 from the 31 that put them in a much better position for a field goal. That gave Bethune-Cookman the first points of the game.

The Wildcats also did a good job controlling the clock. BCU had the ball for 12 plays and 7:35 on the opening drive.