Miami football poor start and defense not getting stops led to MTSU loss
The poor start offensively and the inability of the defense to get stops in the second half led to the 45-31 loss for the Miami football team to Middle Tennessee State on Saturday. Miami trailed 10-0 on Saturday before they gained a yard. Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke threw interceptions on the first two Miami possessions.
The first interception led to a Middle Tennessee State field goal. Middle Tennessee State had a 15-yard interception return for a touchdown two plays after the field goal to extend the lead to 10-0 less than four minutes into the game. The Miami offense struggled to move offensively throughout the first half.
Van Dyke was 16-32 for 138 yards one touchdown and the two interceptions. The Miami football team needed a six-yard TD pass from Van Dyke to Henry Parrish 1:20 before halftime to cut the deficit to 24-10. After punting on the first two drives of the second half, Miami changed QBs from Van Dyke to Jake Garcia.
With Garcia at QB in the second half, Miami had 21 points. Miami scored only 21 points on five trips into the red zone. The inability in the red zone for the second straight game and the defense allowing too many big plays when Miami appeared to get back into the game was ultimately the downfall for the Hurricanes.
Middle Tennessee State had
four pass plays for at least 69 yards
. Three of those plays went for TDs and a cumulative 327 yards. Middle Tennessee State had a 69 and 98-yard TD in the second half that each extended the lead to 21 points. This was a team loss. A comeback attempt needs a team effort.
Miami gained 186 yards in the second half led by Garcia. Miami had 181 yards with Van Dyke at QB. Middle Tennessee State outgained Miami 205 to 43 in the fourth quarter to quell any chance of a Miami comeback. Garcia was 4-11 for 57 yards in the fourth quarter. Two sacks accounted for -14 fourth-quarter rushing yards.
Next. Miami benches Van Dyke and red zone struggles continue. dark
Two of the long pass plays came after Miami turned the ball over on downs inside the Middle Tennessee State 10 yardline. The defense needed stops there and instead allowed big plays that led to a TD and the other one for a score. Miami has two weeks to evaluate its team before hosting North Carolina on October 8.