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

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 02: Malek Young
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - SEPTEMBER 02: Malek Young
2 of 4

The debate about the time of possession in the modern era of quick snap offense seems to loom. Holding onto the ball and keeping a defense on the field can tire them out.

The Hurricanes did a better job on the next two Wildcats drives. They held Bethune-Cookman to three straight three and outs. The Hurricanes had taken a 24-3 lead by the time B-C got the ball back.

Up 18 the Miami Hurricanes defense might have let down a bit. They had the two big three and outs that allowed the offense to produce and extend the lead on three straight drives. Bethune-Cookman was able to produce on its fifth drive of the game. That allowed a defense that had spent a lot of time on the field to rest.

The Wildcats went one for three on third down but converted their second consecutive fourth down attempt to keep the drive alive. Bethune-Cookman kept the ball for 5:34 on a 14 play drive. The end result was Uriel Hernandez’s second field goal of the game. That cut the Miami Hurricanes lead to 24-6.

Miami took the ball over after that drive and ran out the clock in the first half.

Schedule

Schedule