A lot has been made of the 392 to 264 total yard advantage the Miami football team had over Texas A&M in its 17-9 loss in College Station on Saturday night. Miami also had a 27 to 14 edge in first downs. Despite those advantages, Texas A&M had a massive edge in hidden yardage. That ultimately was the difference in the game.
Miami had an average start of their own 18.1 yardline. Three times Miami began drives inside their own 10. Only once did Miami start a drive better than its own 25. That was the last drive of the game. Miami took over at its 43-yardline with 1:16 remaining. The Hurricanes drove five plays, 17 yards in 46 seconds.
On fourth and four a pass from Tyler Van Dyke went off of the hands of Brashard Smith giving the ball back to Texas A&M. The Aggies took one snap and the game was over. Miami was able to consistently get yards throughout the night but too often stalled in the red zone. The Hurricanes scored three out of four times in the red zone.
The one time Miami did not score in the red zone kicker Andres Borregales had a 36-yard field attempt blocked. Borregales also missed a 49-yard field goal. In a low-scoring game, Miami left too many scoring opportunities on the table. A scoring opportunity Miami provided Texas A&M was a huge difference in the game.
After Miami forced a three and out on the second Texas A&M drive
fumbled on a punt return. That gave the ball to Texas A&M on the Miami 28. Texas A&M took 1:14 to go 28 yards in three plays to take the lead for good 10-3. That drive gave Texas A&M a huge advantage in the average starting position.
Texas A&M began their drives at their 29.8 yardline on average. On its three scoring drives, Texas A&M began with an average starting position of its own 44. Texas A&M had four drives that began at their 40 yardline or better. The Aggies also had 11 drives to only nine for Miami. The 10 yards extra of average starting position were huge.
Miami moved the ball against Texas A&M. The Hurricanes’ average drive was 45.2 yards. The five drives that ended in a field goal attempt were 67.2 yards. Miami showed the ability to move offensively. Shorter fields will greatly help the Miami football team ahead of beginning ACC play on October 8 versus North Carolina.