Miami football defense has another impressive performance versus Florida State

The Miami football team had another good enough game defensively to allow the Hurricanes to remain competitive. Other than a few explosive plays allowed in the second half, Miami contained and even dominated Florida State defensively at times on Saturday at Doak Campbell Stadium in a 27-20 loss.

After trailing 10-0 in the second quarter, the Miami defense held Florida State to one total yard in the second 15-minute stanza. Linebacker Francisco Mauigoa was the player of the game for Miami defensively. Mauigoa finished with nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks versus the Seminoles.

Safety James Williams tied Mauigoa for the team lead in tackles with nine. Linebacker Wesley Bissainthe had one of the best games of his Miami career with four tackles, three TFLs, one sack and one quarterback hurry. Bissainthe sacked Florida State QB Jordan Travis in the end zone but was somehow denied a safety.

Seven different Miami defenders had at least a half 0.5 TFL. Miami was dominant defensively in the second and fourth quarters, but Florida State was able to establish itself in the first and third quarters. Florida State had 125 yards in the first quarter, 1 in the second, 160 in the third and 36 in the fourth.

If Miami can become more consistent throughout the game defensively, they can win big games versus Louisville next week and at Boston College on November 24. Miami continues to be one of the best run defenses in the country. Entering the weekend Miami was eighth nationally allowing 89.22 rushing yards per game.

Big pass plays hindered the Miami football team throughout the game versus Florida State. The Seminoles had eight completions of at least 15 yards, three of 20 plus yards and a critical 62 yard completion to a J’Khi Dougals to set up a score in the third quarter. Almost the entire Miami defense is eligible to return in 2024.