Goal: ‘Attack mode.’ Miami Hurricanes must ensure that Hard Rock red zone isn’t dead zone
If ever there were an opportune time for the Miami Hurricanes to take a deep breath, catch some passes and push the gas pedal in the red zone, Saturday could be it.
UM’s opponent will be certainly pushing it.
The No. 25 Hurricanes (2-1) will meet Middle Tennessee State (2-1) of Conference USA at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium, UM’s last game before having its only week off in a regular season that stretches into late November. After that, it’s eight consecutive games against Atlantic Coast Conference opponents.
Coming off a loss to Texas A&M in which the Hurricanes had 27 first downs and still couldn’t produce a touchdown in four trips to the red zone, Miami could use some confidence building Saturday. Not that the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders’ red zone defense is an automatic green light for offenses. The Blue Raiders are ninth in the nation in red zone defense, allowing five scores in nine attempts — and seventh nationally in team sacks and tackles for loss.
“That’s really important,’’ center Jakai Clark said of the red zone. “Last week we didn’t do a good job at all in the red zone and that’s been a real big focus this week going into this game. As an offensive line we need to get in better shape. We need to really get into an attack mode when we get into the red zone. We need to finish better. There are a lot of things we’re really focused on this week.’’
Middle Tennessee also throws the ball a lot, though its offensive numbers are poor compared to the rest of the nation. The Blue Raiders are 101st in passing offense (195 yards a game), 104th in rushing offense (116) and 112th in total offense.
“It’s another opportunity for the secondary to get better and prove we’re the best secondary in the country,’’ said cornerback DJ Ivey, who had a strong performance last week with three solo tackles and two pass breakups.
Air Raid offense
Canes defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said the Blue Raiders’ air raid offense “is a lot of four wides on the field — a lot. They throw the ball to set up the run rather than the other way around. They do run it more than they used to, but still not a lot.
“That offense traditionally has been hard to get sacks against because it’s built to get the ball out quick. So it’s catch-and-throw, catch-and-throw, catch-and-throw. We’re going to have to affect the quarterback in different ways. We’ve got to get our hands up, make him throw through windows that are tight, not doorways. And we’ll have to be tight in coverage and tackle well in space because they create a space game.’’
Miami is a 25 1/2-point favorite Saturday, despite being without the services of two injured receivers. No. 1 receiver Xavier Restrepo is out a minimum of six weeks with a foot injury, and sophomore Jacolby George is out after injuring a hand last week against the Aggies.
Even after Restrepo’s absence at Texas A&M, his numbers still lead all receivers — by a lot.
Restrepo’s absence
“Not having Xavier Restrepo is obviously very... you know,’’ Cristobal said. “He’s a very productive player and in more ways than one. He’s excellent for culture as well. He drives that room and in his absence we have to find a way to elevate the entire room— our level of play, our culture, our intensity.”
The Blue Raiders fell 44-7 at James Madison in the opener, won 34-19 at Colorado State and last weekend won 49-6 in their home opener.
UM will need to be creative in their passing game by incorporating tight ends and running backs and adding some wrinkles to open opportunities. Expect multiple tight ends to be used. Cristobal said Will Mallory, who led all pass-catchers last week with six catches but only 56 yards, is always a key target.
“Sometimes the ball doesn’t get spit out that way,’’ Cristobal said. “If you watched us from spring through fall, the tight ends were touching the ball as much or more than anyone else. It didn’t go that way the first two games. That wasn’t by design. The ball just happened to be spit out, and wherever they gave us an access throw or where coverage dictated, [that’s] where the ball [went].
“But he’s a great player, and certainly when he touches the ball we’re a lot better of a football team. We have to keep identifying our best playmakers, developing better playmakers, and get the ball in their hands. It’s that simple.”
Quarterback Tyler Van Dyke said he has a good relationship with all his receivers.
“I just gotta give them a little more confidence, tell them I trust them and they’ll be able to do the job.’’
