North Carolina owned Miami football on ground offensively and defensively
Entering the game versus North Carolina, the Miami football team was second nationally against the run and led the ACC in rushing offense. North Carolina had been inconsistent in running the football this season and stopping the run. On Saturday, North Carolina owned the ground game offensively and defensively versus Miami.
North Carolina ran 43 times for 235 yards and one touchdown. Miami had 27 carries for 91 yards rushing. North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton became the latest Tar Heel to demolish the Miami football team on the ground with 24 carries for 197 yards and one TD. Henry Parrish led Miami with 13 carries for 73 yards rushing.
Hampton gashed the Miami defense with seven runs of 10 yards or more. That included a 60-yard run in the fourth quarter that extended the North Carolina lead to 41-24 and essentially put the game away. Hampton ran for 121 yards in the second half when he seemed to wear down Miami defensively.
Miami dropped from second nationally allowing just over 52 rushing yards per game entering the weekend to 10th giving up 87.67 rushing YPG after the gashing North Carolina gave the Hurricanes. Miami fell to second in the ACC in run defense after getting dominated on the ground by North Carolina.
North Carolina now ranks 37th nationally averaging 184.33 rushing yards per game. Miami is 28th nationally averaging 191.50 rushing YPG. After looking dominant versus lesser opponents earlier in the season, Miami has struggled with its rushing offense in its three games versus Power Five opponents in 2023.
In their win over Texas A&M and losses to Georgia Tech and North Carolina, Miami has 98 carries for 333 rushing yards with a 3.40 yards per carry average in its three games versus Power Five opponents this season. Miami will face the best run defense it has opposed this season against Clemson next week.
Clemson leads the ACC and is ninth nationally allowing 86.33 rushing YPG in 2023. The Tigers have been dominant stopping the run after being gashed by Duke for 30 carries for 199 yards rushing and three TDs in a 28-7 loss in the season opener. In the five games since losing to Duke Clemson has allowed 317 rushing yards.
dark. Next. UNC big plays were a decisive factor beating Miami
Miami had three runs of at least 10 yards against North Carolina. Parrish had the longest run for Miami at 29 yards. Power Five opponents have been able to make Miami one-dimensional. That worked versus Texas A&M, but has failed in the last two games leading to nine turnovers. Miami needs more balance offensively.