Shutting down the run Miami priority at South Florida
On Saturday, Miami will have a tough task defending the South Florida rushing offense, which is eighth-ranked nationally. South Florida is averaging 268.67 rushing yards per game. South Florida's Byrum Brown is third nationally among quarterbacks, averaging 84.67 rushing yards per game.
Miami defense coordinator Lance Guidry told reporters on Monday Brown being a threat to run puts one or two more defenders in the box to be more involved in spying the Bulls' QB. Brown has not been much of a threat as a passer completing 56.2 percent of his attempts for 468 yards and three touchdowns in three games.
Guidry stated the goal for Miami on Saturday will be to make South Florida one-dimensional offensively. Getting off to a good start will be critical for Miami. Making South Florida throw the ball puts them off their game plan and out of their comfort zone. South Florida 120th nationally averaging 156.0 passing yards per game.
Miami is sixth nationally in total defense allowing 188.7 yards per game. The Hurricanes are 12th allowing 65.67 rushing yards per game and permitting 123.0 passing yards per game. Miami is 13th in scoring defense allowing 8.7 points per game.
"It all starts with stopping the run you got to stop the run first try to make them one dimensional try to make them throw the ball and then go from there."
- Miami defensive coordinator Lance Guidry
At 6'3 and 229 pounds, Brown is a hard player to bring down. Brown's size allows him to break multiple tackles per Guidry. Miami will need a team defensive effort to defend Brown as a runner. Running back Kelley Joiner provides South Florida with a pair of productive runners. Joiner is averaging 73.33 yards per game and 7.3 yards per carry.
Miami allowed 139 yards on 28 carries at Florida in the season opener. Montell Johnson had a 71-yard touchdown run to account for over half of that total. Miami allowed 52 rushing yards to Florida A&M and six to Ball State. Johnson had 36 percent of the rushing total Miami has allowed in 2024 on one play.
dark. Next. Mario Cristobal expects South Florida to be best team Miami has played. Mario Cristobal expects South Florida to be best team Miami has played
South Florida has rushed for over 200 yards in every 2024 game. The Bulls had 369 yards and five TDs in a 49-24 win at Southern Mississippi last week. South Florida ran for 206 yards at Alabama. Conversely, South Florida has thrown for under 200 yards in all three games in 2024.