Miami football 2023 defense improved significantly
![Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (44) and linebacker Dec 28, 2023; Bronx, NY, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. (44) and linebacker](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4571,h_2571,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/200/01hmpp0jw58605j4vq39.jpg)
Scoring Defense
In 2022, Miami finished 67th nationally, allowing 26.8 points per game. Miami improved to 44th nationally in 2023, allowing 22.8 PPG. North Carolina was the only game Miami allowed 40 points in 2023 in a 41-38 loss. Miami allowed only four 2023 opponents to score more than 30 points.
Miami allowed 20.5 PPG in the non-conference and 29.5 versus ACC opponents in 2022. In 2023, those numbers improved to 16.2 PPG allowed and 26.9 versus ACC opponents. Miami allowed 14.3 PPG versus non-winning teams in 2022 and 35.9 to teams with a winning record.
In 2023, Miami allowed 16.5 PPG to teams with non-winning records and 25.6 to teams with winning records. The numbers Miami allowed versus winning teams were consistent with what they allowed versus ACC opponents. Miami (Ohio) was the only non-conference opponent for Miami with a winning record in 2023.
Total Defense
Miami finished 66th nationally in 2022, allowing 375.2 total yards per game. The Hurricanes allowed 421.3 YPG in 2022 versus teams with winning records and 302.8 to teams with non-winning records. Miami improved to 24th nationally in 2023, allowing 321.6 total YPG.