Miami (FL) Hurricanes

Miami Hurricanes Need to Continue to Attack Defensively

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Miami Hurricanes defense was one of the ten best in the country through the first three weeks of the season. They need to continue to attack defensively to keep opponent offensive success to a minimum.

The Hurricanes took a huge step back last week in Blacksburg with a 37-16 loss at Virginia Tech. The ‘Canes should get numerous players back on defense who were out with injuries last week. Chad Thomas, Demetrius Jackson, Gerald Willis, Rayshawn Jenkins are all expected to play against Notre Dame.

Thomas, Jackson, and Willis missed the Virginia Tech game, Jenkins was taken off the field in Blacksburg with what appeared to be a serious leg injury at the time.

Thomas has been Miami’s best defensive lineman this season. He leads the Hurricanes with eight tackles for loss and is second with 3.5 sacks. Jackson has also been productive with 5.5 Tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Getting his starting Defensive Ends back will help Defensive Coordinator Manny Diaz’s game plan against the Fighting Irish.

Trent Harris stepped in against the Hokies and had two tackles and two tackles for loss. He has done a great job this season Harris is listed as Jackson’s backup at the Viper position but has received a lot of playing time this year. He has 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks this season.

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The Hurricanes rapid improvement defensively from a season ago can be directly attributed to the attacking style installed by Diaz. The Hurricanes lead the country with 71 tackles for loss,10.1 tackles for loss per game and are 17th nationally with 3.14 sacks per game for a total of 22.

The Hurricanes defense has skyrocketed up the ratings from a season ago. The Hurricanes are 24th in the country this year in total defense. Last season’s defense was ranked outside the top 100.

The Hurricanes disruptive defense has slowed down since the commencement of ACC play. Fifty-one of Miami’s 71 tackles for loss and 16 of their 22 sacks game in the first three non-conference games and their ACC-opening win over Georgia Tech.

Miami’s defense has continued to hobble as Corn Elder has gone to the locker room with an injury and the ‘Canes seem to lack the ferocity that they did early in the season. It’s something that concerned Diaz earlier in the week.

“I felt like the last game, for the first time, we did not always play like Hurricanes…We had some guys that had been very violent and had been very physical all year that for the first time, showed not to be. I think three games in 12 days with our limited numbers told on us a little bit. …It’ll be important that again, we re-establish our physical identity on Saturday.”

The ‘Canes are showing early against Notre Dame as they did at Virginia Tech if they don’t play with ferocity, they won’t be effective.

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