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

After a Miami touchdown extended the Hurricanes lead to 31-3, the Wildcats took over for their first drive of the second half.  The Hurricanes had three chances to get off the field on Bethune-Cookman’s first drive of the second half. Miami backed up the Wildcats to a pair of third and sevens and a third and nine on the drive.

All three times the Wildcats converted. The latter two hurt the most. Facing third and nine from their own 42, Bethune-Cookman quarterback Larry Brihm Jr. hit running back Jamaruz Thompkins for a 41 yard gain. That set up the Wildcats at the Miami 17 yard line.

Three plays later the Wildcats converted another third down. Brihm connected with Donald Johnson IV for 13 yards down to the Miami one yard line. The Wildcats got into the end zone two plays later. That was their only touchdown on the afternoon.

After failing to convert a third and two on their next drive, the Wildcats would again convert two more third downs two drives later. Brihm ran for 14 yards for a first down on third and eight.