Their inconsistency moving the football plagued the Miami Hurricanes throughout their narrow 24-19 victory over North Carolina. Five plays accounted for 255 of Miami’s 415 total yards. All of them came in the passing game.
The run game was not there against North Carolina. The Miami Hurricanes ran for an anemic 59 yards on 32 carries. Running back Travis Homer had 40 yards on 16 carries. Quarterback Malik Rosier contributed 12 carries for 20 yards.
Miami Offensive Coordinator Thomas Brown told the media after Tuesday’s practice that he felt the game was the Hurricanes worst offensive performance of the year and maybe the worst of the Richt era at Miami.
The Hurricanes had less total yards against Florida State and Duke, but they were able to sustain drives throughout those games. Miami had their lowest output running the football this season against North Carolina. They also had their lowest average yards per carry in the victory.
If the Hurricanes do not get their run game fixed, teams are going to force them to be one dimensional offensively. In ACC only games Miami is 13th in rushing output. They average only 120.7 rushing yards per game. Only North Carolina is worse at 113.7 yards per game.
Brown was asked if Rosier’s 42 percent completion percentage against the Tar Heels was a concern. He replied:
"“I think the whole game was a concern, if you watched us play on offense…Obviously the worst performance we had this entire year. Maybe the worst one we’ve had since we’ve been at Miami.”"
There was more than just the Hurricanes not performing well consistently against UNC. Brown elaborated that there was:
"“A lack of focus, a lack of execution. … It was embarrassing to see. It was embarrassing to be a part of, coaching-wise.”"
Brown did not spare anyone in his comments. He didn’t single out individual players. Asked which players were accountable Brown said:
"“Everybody…Everybody who has a Miami shirt on.”"
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Including Evan Sheriffs’ one for three performance, the Hurricanes were 17-41 throwing the football on Saturday. That was the Hurricanes worst completion percentage since 2011. It was more than just the Quarterbacks’ performances according to Brown.
"“Guys having missed assignments — guy that are veterans, have done things a million times and never screwed it up, for whatever reason, screwed it up…Ran the wrong route, cut it short, dropped ball, incomplete pass, missed blocking scheme, missed read from a tailback standpoint. Flat-out, that guy across from you hit you in the face and you didn’t do anything about it. Which is embarrassing.”"
Miami is going to have to play a much cleaner game to defeat Virginia Tech on Saturday. The Hokies defense dominated the Miami Hurricanes offense last season. VA Tech won 37-16 in Blacksburg.
Miami had only 365 yards in total offense, former quarterback Brad Kaaya was sacked eight times and including yardage lost on sacks, Miami had 29 carries for 42 yards rushing.
Miami now faces a Virginia Tech team that ranks ninth defensively in yards per carry and 13th in rushing yards allowed per game. The Hurricanes need to get the running game straightened out in practice this week, or Saturday could turn into a long day.
North Carolina and Florida State earlier in the season have shown the rest of the ACC how to stop the Miami offense. Shutting down the running game and making the Miami offense one dimensional has caused the Hurricanes to struggle.
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They are going to need more production in the running game from Rosier and running back Travis Homer. They will also need better play calling from Richt against Virginia Tech’s longtime Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster.