Miami football five critical elements that led to loss at North Carolina

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 07: Dazz Newsome #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dives to make a catch in front of DJ Ivey #8 and Romeo Finley #30 of the Miami Hurricanes look oon during the second half of their game at Kenan Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 28-25. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 07: Dazz Newsome #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels dives to make a catch in front of DJ Ivey #8 and Romeo Finley #30 of the Miami Hurricanes look oon during the second half of their game at Kenan Stadium on September 07, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 28-25. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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A 62-yard TD pass from Howell to Dyani Brown on the Tar Heels second possession of the game and 20-yard completion from Howell to Rontavius Groves on fourth down and 17. The fourth-down conversion was preceded by two sacks.

It is the type of play that can deflate a team. If Miami stops UNC on that fourth down the game is over. Howell shredded the Hurricanes defense. He went 16-24 for 274 yards two TDs and no interceptions. The Miami pass defense has plummeted after leading the nation in 2018 by more than 10 yards per game.

The Hurricanes pass defense is 106th in FBS after two weeks. Miami is allowing 273 passing yards per game. It is very concerning. We will not learn much over the next two weeks for Miami. The pass defense should play well against Bethune-Cookman and Central Michigan. They will be tested October 5 vs. Virginia Tech.

The three 60-yard plus passing plays allowed by Miami is also last. They are the only team nationally to have done that. Colorado and Middle Tennessee have allowed two pass plays of 60 plus. No one else has allowed more than one.