Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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www.BLUEANDGOLD.com NOV. 7, 2016 25 MIAMI RUNNING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME RUN DEFENSE After averaging only 81 rushing yards in three consecutive losses to Florida State, North Carolina and Virginia Tech, Miami head coach Mark Richt was seek- ing much better production in order to not have to fling the football around as much. Fifth-year senior nose guard Jarron Jones destroyed the Hurricanes' early attempts to establish the run inside with his penetration and disruptive- ness. Miami running backs combined for only 23 yards on 14 carries in the first half, and 30 yards on 15 carries in the second. When factoring in the five sacks, the Hurricanes totaled 18 yards on the ground. The Irish attacked Miami's struggling offense rather than just engaging in a read-and-react style, thereby pressing the issue. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame MIAMI PASSING GAME VS. NOTRE DAME PASS DEFENSE Because of the greater attacking nature against the run, Notre Dame's young corners were left on an island much more so than in recent contests and ac- quitted themselves quite well. Freshman Donte Vaughn (three passes broken up) has been stellar with the ball in the air, and senior Cole Luke's first-quarter interception set up an Irish touchdown. Hurricanes quarterback Brad Kaaya (26-of-42 passing for 288 yards) heated up in the second half, but he was limited to 6.9 yards per attempt and 11.1 yards per completion while also getting sacked five times. The pass rush's ef- fectiveness was enhanced because Miami is more pro-style than quick drop backs and releases. ADVANTAGE: Even NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME VS. MIAMI RUN DEFENSE While falling behind 27-20 with 6:49 left in the game, Notre Dame managed a meager 69 yards on 20 carries. Then on the ensuing drive to tie the score, sophomore Josh Adams burst for a 41-yard touchdown run. In addition, the Irish kept it almost exclusively on the ground (eight carries for 38 yards) on the drive that led to the go-ahead field goal with 30 seconds left. They had more yards rushing in the final 6:49 (79), then in the first 53 minutes (69). ADVANTAGE: Miami NOTRE DAME PASSING GAME VS. MIAMI PASS DEFENSE Senior wideout Torii Hunter Jr. indicated during Miami week that the short passing game was a particular point of emphasis to facilitate the team's strength. It showed against Miami with junior quarterback DeShone Kizer's as- sortment of check downs, outs, screens (wide and middle) and shovel passes (including a TD to Hunter) while building a 20-0 lead. The Irish went far less vertical than usual, relying more on yards after the catch, and Kizer finished 25-of-38 passing for 263 yards with two scores. ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame SPECIAL TEAMS The negatives were multifold for Notre Dame. Miami's first score came after a Notre Dame turnover on a punt when a live ball hit unsuspecting freshman Troy Pride Jr. The Hurricanes then responded with a successful onside kick, but weren't able to capitalize on it. Miami cut the Irish lead to 20-17 on a 43-yard Michael Badgley field goal after tipping an Irish punt that traveled only 23 yards. A 30-yard punt return by Miami's Braxton Berrios with the score tied 20-20 in the fourth quarter didn't set up the Hurricanes' go-ahead score — but sophomore C.J. Sanders' fumbled punt inside the Irish 5-yard line bounced into the end zone and was recovered by the Hurricanes for a go-ahead touchdown with 6:49 left. There was good, too, notably sophomore kicker Justin Yoon finishing 3 of 3 on field goals, the last from 23 yards with 30 seconds left proving to be the game- winner. Also, with the score tied at 27, Notre Dame sophomore Chris Finke returned a punt 23 yards to the Miami 40 that set up the winning field goal. ADVANTAGE: Miami THIRD-DOWN CONVERSIONS On the game's opening drive, Notre Dame converted a third-and-eight by completing a 16-yard toss to Hunter Jr., and then scored two plays later for a 7-0 lead. Later in the first quarter, Kizer found sophomore wide receiver Equanimeous St. Brown on third-and-11 for a 14-yard touchdown and a 17-0 advantage. Miami scored on third-and-goal from the 4-yard line to slice its deficit to 20-7. Notre Dame was 5 of 9 in the first half, while Miami was 2 of 9 — most nota- bly falling short on third-and-one and fourth-and-one from the Irish 29 in the closing minute of the first half. Overall, Notre Dame was 8 of 16 (50.0 percent) and the Hurricanes 7 of 19 (36.8 percent). ADVANTAGE: Notre Dame TURNOVERS The game's first turnover occurred when Luke perfectly timed an out pattern in the first quarter for an interception to set up 13-yard touchdown drive and a 17-0 lead. Notre Dame lost two fumbles, the latter on the fourth quarter Hurricanes' punt that resulted in a direct score for Miami. The Irish lost the turnover battle, 2-1. ADVANTAGE: Miami ANALYSIS The most crucial play proved to be Kizer recovering senior tight end Durham Smythe's fumble at the Miami 2-yard line in a wild scrum during the game's closing minute. For a second, it even appeared Miami could scoop up the football and return it for a score. Such is the fragility of athletic competition. Both teams competed well amidst much disappointment this year. Notre Dame demonstrated resolve throughout the year, but this time it was also aided by a much-needed fortuitous bounce at the end. ON PAPER REVISITED BY LOU SOMOGYI The Irish racked up 12 tackles for loss and five sacks, and limited the Hurricanes to 18 rushing yards on 35 attempts. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA