Quincy Roche has most dominant game for Miami Hurricanes

Defensive end Quincy Roche had his most dominant game during his five-game Miami Hurricanes tenure in the 31-19 victory over Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Graduate transfer Quincy Roche had the most dominant game during his short Miami Hurricanes tenure with seven tackles, four tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, one quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery in the 31-19 victory over Pittsburgh on Saturday. Roche how has 21 tackles, 9.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks this season.

Roche was a force as the Miami  Hurricanes defense held Pittsburgh to one TD and four field goals in five trips in the red zone. Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Jared Harrison-Hunte and Roche teamed together to dominate the Pittsburgh offensive line. Harrison-Hunte had four tackles, one sack, two TFLs and the forced fumble.

Pro Football Focus via Inside the U, graded Roche as the highest-rated Miami player against Pittsburgh. Roche received a 92.6 grade and four quarterback pressures. David Lake of Inside the U stated that Roche was the highest-rated defensive player nationally that played at least 60 snaps this week.

Roche was the dominant player on Saturday that Miami needed him to be. The performance against Pittsburgh shot Roche up to the 16th ranked edge rusher nationally as rated by PFF. Roche spoke to the media after the game and acknowledged that he played his best game on Saturday but can improve.

"“I think it was my best game. It was my best game as far as the run is concerned. You know but I still got to clean it up. Pass rush, I got a pass (rush better), win some of those one-on-one match-ups.”"

Roche, redshirt junior DE Jaelan Phillips, Harrison-Hunte and junior DT Nesta Silvera are giving Miami a formidable pass rush. Miami is tied for third nationally with 49 TFLs and 13th with 14 sacks. Roche is in a three-way tie for first in TFLs nationally. Roche made big plays at critical points against Pittsburgh.

Late in the second quarter with Miami leading 14-3, Roche tackled Pittsburgh running back A.J. Davis for a three-yard loss on third and goal from the Hurricanes three yardline. The Panthers had to settle for a field goal. In the third quarter with Miami up 21-6, Roche added a five-yard TFL at the Hurricanes 12.

Late in the third quarter, Roche had a QB hurry from the Miami 24 on second and 15 that forced an incompletion. The plays in the red zone were huge in a game that the Miami defense dominated when Pittsburgh was inside the Hurricanes 20. Pittsburgh ran 10 plays for a loss of eight yards in the red zone.

Roche was a huge part of the success of the Miami defense forcing Pittsburgh into four field goals in five red-zone possessions. The only TD Pittsburgh had was after an interception return to the Miami one-yard line. The Panthers scored one play later. Miami ranks 13th nationally allowing TDs on 47.83 trips in the red zone.