Miami football team let down by third down defense vs. Virginia Tech

The Miami football team has been one of the better third-down defenses in the country this season. Virginia Tech belied the Hurricanes third-down defense in their 42-35 victory on Saturday.

The success of the Virginia Tech offense on third down throughout their 42-35 victory over the Miami football team on Saturday was a key to winning. The Hokies converted nine of 16 on third down against the Hurricanes. Virginia Tech went 9-16 on third down against Miami. Several of those were runs by QB Hendon Hooker.

Hooker was making his first start of his collegiate career against the Hurricanes. The redshirt sophomore finished the game 10-20 for 184 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Hooker started out slow passing the ball. He was 3-8 for 32 yards in the first quarter but added four carries for 46 yards.

The Miami football team’s inability to contain Hooker on the ground was a large factor in the Hokies’ success on third down. Two third-down runs by Hooker helped sustain Virginia Tech’s first touchdown drive of the game. The Hokies took over at the Miami 48 yardline following an interception by Virginia Tech defensive back Jermaine Waller.

Miami is currently 26th nationally holding teams to 31.88 percent on third down. That includes the 9-16 by Virginia Tech. That number was 24.5 percent entering the game against Virginia Tech. The Miami defense held Florida and North Carolina to 2-10 each in the Hurricanes other games against Power Five teams in 2019.

Hooker ran for 15 yards on third and six to the Miami 27 on the Hokies first third down of the game and third play of their first drive. Five plays later on a second third down and six yards to go, Hiooker ran 12 yards for a touchdown to put Virginia Tech on the board first. The extra point gave the Hokies a 7-0 lead.