Miami Hurricanes safety Bubba Bolden ACC DB of the Week
Miami Hurricanes safety Bubba Bolden was named the ACC Defensive Back of the Week following his performance at Clemson.
Miami Hurricanes safety Bubba Bolden was named the ACC Defensive Back of the Week for the second time in the last three games. Bolden had 10 tackles, blocked two field goals and forced a fumble by Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence that was recovered by Miami striker Gilbert Frierson in a 42-17 loss to the Tigers.
Bolden led Miami in tackles in the loss to Clemson and leads the Hurricanes this season with 27 tackles and three forced fumbles in the first four games. In the loss to Clemson Bolden was one of the Hurricanes’ best players. The two blocked field goals were impressive and Miami scored a TD off one late in the first half.
Bolden led both teams in tackles Saturday night. Bolden is 15th in the ACC in tackles and leads the conference in forced fumbles. Bolden will face tough competition for All-ACC. Pro Football Focus currently ranks Bolden as the sixth-best safety in the ACC. More performances like Saturday will earn Bolden All-ACC.
Bolden was the only experienced safety Miami had for a significant portion of the first half against Clemson. Senior Amari Carter was ejected for targeting against Clemson. Junior Gurvan Hall missed the first half after being ejected for targeting in the second half against Florida State. Freshman Brian Balom filled in.
"DEFENSIVE BACK – Bubba Bolden, Miami, Jr., S, Las Vegas, Nev.“Veteran safety’s game-high 10 tackles in Saturday night’s loss at top-ranked Clemson were one shy of his career high • Forced a fumble that was recovered by the Hurricanes, and added two blocked field goals on special teams.”"
The Miami Hurricanes and Bolden will have a chance to improve their record to 4-1 when they host Pittsburgh on Saturday. Miami will have a bigger challenge on offense against the Panthers defense than the Hurricanes defense will have. Pittsburgh is third in scoring defense and first in total defense in the ACC.
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Bolden has mostly lined up at free safety this season.In a total of 253 snaps, the most frequent spots for Bolden have been 143 snaps at free safety, 76 as the slot cornerbacks and 30 in the box according to PFF. Pittsburgh is fourth in the ACC averaging 284.2 passing yards per game and 13th averaging 125.4 rushing YPG.