Miami Hurricanes defense greatly improved vs. Florida State
The Miami Hurricanes defense played much better in their 52-10 victory over Florida State on Saturday night than they did in their 47-34 win over Louisville last week.
The Miami Hurricanes defense made several big plays and other than the opening drives of each half kept Florida State scoreless in a dominant 52-10 victory on Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium. The new Miami offense changes the goals for the Hurricanes defense. Miami has trailed only twice all season.
Playing with the lead and for most of the last six quarters a substantial lead, the Miami defense has made the plays necessary to keep the Hurricanes ahead. On Saturday night against Florida State, the defense was mostly dominant. Florida State finished with 330 total yards. The first drive of each half accounted for 147 yards.
Miami attacked Florida State with 13 tackles for loss, six sacks, seven quarterback hits and three interceptions. The Seminoles had six drives that were five plays or less. The defense came up with big plays multiple times in critical situations. After a second Mark Pope fumble this season on a punt return, the defense answered.
Nesta Silvera blew up a Florida State reverse. Seminoles backup quarterback Jordan Travis attempted an ill-advised pass that was intercepted by Jaelan Phillips. Miami needed only three plays to score and extend the lead to 28-3. It was a critical point in the game. Florida State could have gotten back in the game with a score.
Late in the game when it was long decided, the Hurricanes backups made a goal-line stand to keep Florida State out of the end zone and seal the 52-10 final score. Given time to game plan on the first drive of each half Florida State scored. Once Blake Baker and the Miami defense made adjustments Miami shut down FSU.
The story of the game defensively was safety Bubba Bolden. Bolden finished with four tackles, two TFLs, one sack, a forced fumble, an interception and a pass breakup that resulted in an interception in the end zone by Al Blades Jr. Bolden is becoming an elite safety with outstanding performances the last two weeks.
Next. Miami primary goal is to wear down opponents. dark
Eleven different Miami players had TFLs and six had sacks. The Miami defense will have its biggest test in three years on October 10 after a bye next week. Playing at Clemson will be a test for the entire Miami team. The last two games the Hurricanes played the Tigers were not competitive. The defense needs to keep improving.