Miami football needs to improve red zone and third downs

The Miami football team needs to improve their play in the red zone and on third down. Alabama scored two touchdowns and kicked two field goals in four red-zone trips in their 44-13 victory over Miami on Saturday. The Crimson Tide converted 10 of its 16 attempts on third down. Alabama had third and five or longer 14 times.

Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young was 8-10 for 157 yards and two touchdowns on third down. Seven of those eight completions went for first downs. Getting Alabama in third down and five or more yards to go should have gotten Miami off the field quicker according to Miami head coach Manny Diaz.

Diaz felt the poor execution by the Miami football team on third down was the difference in the game. Young completed all five of his attempts for 110 yards and one touchdown on third down and with four to six yards to go for a first down. On third and 7-9 yards to go, Young was 3-3 for 46 yards and a one TD.

Alabama ran six times for five yards on third down against Miami. Miami has to put Appalachian State into third and long on Saturday. Appalachian State converted only four of 11 third-down attempts in their season-opening 33-19 victory over East Carolina last Thursday. Miami faced Mountaineer QB Chase Brice last season.

The Miami defense has its best game of the 2020 season with Brice playing for Duke. Duke was 5-15 on third downs against Miami last season in a 48-0 loss. The Hurricanes defense held Brice to 94 yards despite completing 20 passes in 25 attempts last season. The Miami football team has to make Brice try and beat them.