Miami head coach Manny Diaz runs a tight ship. He expects Miami players to strive for perfection. The continued abundance of penalties and lack of protection on the offensive line have hindered the Hurricanes this season.
with the penalties as he discussed in his post-game press conference.
"“The most disconcerting thing, of course, is all the penalties…It wasn’t just the number of penalties, which is absurd and unacceptable, but it was the timing of the penalties and what that caused when you talk about our offensive performance. Our defense could not or would not get off the field in the first half due to penalties, either on third downs or on downs that were going to be third downs.”"
The Miami penalties on Saturday were not limited to the offense. One sequence hindered the Hurricanes on special teams. After losing a combined six yards on first and second down, Miami was eventually forced to punt. New Miami punter Louis Hedley buried Central Michigan at their own three-yard line.
Miami was called for an illegal formation and had to re-punt. Hedley’s punt went only 16 yards after being blocked. Central Michigan took over at their own 37-yard line. The miscues were not limited to penalties and poor offensive line play. After the Hurricanes forced a three and out, a Jarren Williams fumble gave CMU the ball.
Miami seemed to have curbed their penalties the last two games. The Hurricanes committed a combined five penalties for 102 yards in a loss to North Carolina and victory over Bethune-Cookman. Miami has to keep the penalties, mistakes and sacks against to a minimum or winning will be difficult in the ACC.