Miami Hurricanes offense needs to improve on first down

The inconsistency of the Miami Hurricanes on offense has allowed opposing defense to bring more pressure on obvious passing downs.

The Miami Hurricanes have had to rely on big plays on offense far too often this season. Miami has been too inconsistent on first down. Miami is 10th in the ACC averaging 3.63 rushing yards on first down. Wake Forest and Notre Dame who are tied for 13th have played only five games.

Miami has completed 53.1 percent of their pass attempts on first down for 595 yards, five touchdowns and an interception. Miami is averaging 7.35 passing yards per play on first down. Miami QB D’Eriq King has completed 54.7 percent of his passes on first down for 570 with the mentioned five TDs and one interception.

The 16 first downs converted through the air on first down by Miami ranks 12th in the ACC. Miami has nine rushing first downs on first down. The Hurricanes have 10 runs of 10 or more yards and three of 20 plus on first down. Miami has 13 plays of 10 yards or more passing and nine of 25 plus on first down.

King has been sensational running on first down. What have likely been the most designed runs, King has 18 carries for 95 yards for 5.28 yards and one TD on first down. King has a long run of 22 yards, five carries each for first downs and 10 plus yards with one carry of 20 plus yards on first down.

Junior running back Cam Harris who has struggled the past few weeks has been nearly as productive running on first down in 2020 as King has been. Harris has 32 carries for 164 yards and a TD with a  5.13 yards per carry average. Harris has three rushing TDs on first down, a long of a 75 yards TD and four carries for first downs.

Harris has added four runs of 10 or more and two of 20 or more on first down. Miami Hurricanes freshmen RBs Don Chaney and Jaylan Knighton who received more carries in the Hurricanes victory over Virginia last week have not been as productive running the football as King and Harris on first down.

The Miami offense has to come up with ways to be more productive on first down. King has proven the ability to produce on first down to set the table for second and third down. The versatility that King has as a dual-threat QB should help the Miami offense continue to evolve, particularly on offense.