The Miami Hurricanes had to survive another close late-game victory to improve to 7-0 on the season. Head Coach Mark Richt expects improvement as Miami welcomes one-loss Virginia Tech to Hard Rock Stadium next week.
Mark Richt discussed his team’s goal stand early in the game, the importance of the big plays, the difficulty of running the football against North Carolina’s stacked box and the Miami Hurricanes ability to persevere and win games late.
It seemed clear from the press conference that Mark Richt was frustrated with his team’s performance. Miami Hurricanes quarterback Malik Rosier struggled throughout the afternoon. Four big plays saved his day. Four completions totaled 220 of Rosier’s career-high 356 yards passing.
Rosier’s inefficiency hurt the Miami running game. North Carolina was able to stack the box and dare the Hurricanes to throw the football. That helped hit the four big plays, but not much else.
Miami ran 32 times for 59 yards on the afternoon. Rosier had 20 yards on 12 carries. Sophomore running back Travis Homer finished with 40 yards on 14 carries. He did add 57 yards on three receptions.
Teams are lining it up and packing the box makes it (running the fb) tough.
— Canes Warning (@CanesWarningFS) October 28, 2017
The Miami Hurricanes play on both sides of the ball was erratic. The inability to sustain a drive hurt throughout the game.
Miami’s longest drive in the second half was a six play, 85-yard jaunt that pushed the Miami lead to 11 in the fourth quarter. Thirty-nine of the 85 yards came on a Rosier to DeeJay Dallas completion.
Mark Richt expects his team to play cleaner. The Hurricanes need more consistency the next two weeks or it could be a long 60 minutes against Virginia Tech and North Carolina.
When its not as clean as you want it to be its bothersome. It hurts
— Canes Warning (@CanesWarningFS) October 28, 2017
Miami has some work to do in practice if it is going to have a memorable November. Aside from the big plays, Mark Richt was not happy with his offense. He understands the immediacy now with Virgina Tech and Notre Dame coming to Hard Rock Stadium the next two weeks.
A couple of things happened. Not clean enough for me. A couple of things happened. Have to iron some things out. The next one is...big
— Canes Warning (@CanesWarningFS) October 28, 2017
The 415 yards Miami finished the afternoon with was enough to get them the win. They didn’t execute well overall. Richt mentioned the obvious by stating that it’s about scoring points more than the yardage. The lack of overall execution was troubling.
Yards come a dime a dozen, points are what you are concerned about....a matter of execution.
— Canes Warning (@CanesWarningFS) October 28, 2017
Many expected Miami to blowout North Carolina. The Hurricanes players felt disrespected in a blowout loss in Chapel Hill two years ago. That followed with a 20-13 loss at Hard Rock Stadium last season. Richt discussed his players not looking past the Tar Heels.
You cant hardly ignore people's records. I think everyone had respect for North Carolina. (referenced Stan vs Ore St.) #miami
— Canes Warning (@CanesWarningFS) October 28, 2017
Miami will get a lot of criticism about having to win games late. They have found a way to make big plays at the end of the games to hold on. Richt said that the late wins are working for them.
No matter how they may feel...keep hanging in there and its worked for us. #miamio
— Canes Warning (@CanesWarningFS) October 28, 2017
Freshman wide receiver Jeff Thomas has made big plays in each of the last three games for Miami. He has seven catches 240 and two touchdowns in the wins over Georgia Tech, Syracuse, and North Carolina. Thomas causes opponents problems with his speed. It was suggested to Richt that Thomas’ speed could be utilized better on the outside.
Risk in taking a true freshman in taking him from a true slot and moving him outside
— Canes Warning (@CanesWarningFS) October 28, 2017
One of the most pivotal plays occurred early in the game. After both teams went three and out on their first drives of the game, North Carolina drove inside the Miami five-yard line. North Carolina got in the end zone, but the touchdown was reversed.
North Carolina eventually chose to go for it on fourth and goal from the Miami one yard line. Shaq Quarterman sacked North Carolina quarterback for a loss of ten. That played a pivotal role in the determination of the outcome of the game according to Mark Richt.
Early goal line stand was huge was probably the difference in the ball game.
— Canes Warning (@CanesWarningFS) October 28, 2017
Now its time to focus on Virginia Tech. The Miami Hurricanes have to focus on Virginia Tech. The last four games are history. They will hear all week about what they have to do to avoid a close game next week. With the two most difficult games of the season upcoming the next two weeks, Miami has to concentrate on the Hokies one play at a time.
When a play is over or a half is over you have to find a way to assess the future #miami
— Canes Warning (@CanesWarningFS) October 28, 2017
Next: Miami Football Looking to Take Control of the State of Florida
The season is in front of Miami. They have a chance to win their first ACC Coastal Division title. Sweep the next two games and the Hurricanes will have a chance to go undefeated in the regular season and be in the discussion for the College Football Playoff.