Nuggets from UM win: who graded highest, snap counts, pass coverage and sack metrics, more
A six-pack of Pro Football Focus nuggets from the 5-0 Miami Hurricanes’ dramatic and immensely entertaining 38-34 win against Virginia Tech on Friday night at Hard Rock Stadium:
▪ The defensive backfield was always the concern with this team, and the problem is amplified with Damari Brown out indefinitely.
Cornerback Daryl Porter Jr., who was supposed to be UM’s top corner, struggled for a second game in a row, allowing six of seven passes in his coverage area to be completed, for 50 yards.
Cornerback Jadais Richard permitted three of four targets to be caught for 59 yards.
The metrics were far better for Dyoni Hill (one of two targets caught for seven yards) and freshman OJ Frederique (one target and one catch against him, but for minus three yards).
▪ The safety play also wasn’t particularly good, though Mishael Powell had an interception. Powell and Jaden Harris (who was injured in the first half) each allowed a TD pass.
Powell allowed 3 of 5 passes to be caught for 36 yards. The only completion permitted by Harris went for a 25 yard touchdown.
Markeith Williams, who replaced the injured Harris, wasn’t targeted on a pass, per PFF. Harris didn’t return to the game.
▪ What wasn’t expected was holes popping up in the run defense. Virginia Tech rushed 32 times for 206 yards (6.4 per carry). Some of that can be blamed on the second quarter injury for Simeon Barrow Jr.
But the problems extended well beyond that.
Among Miami’s front seven defenders, PFF gave excellent run defense grades to Wesley Bissainthe (who played 23 run defense snaps) and Ahmad Moten (16) and subpar grades to Tyler Baron (who played 20 run defense snaps) and Francisco Mauigoa (28).
Miami missed 13 tackles, including three by Mauogia. One of Mauogia’s missed tackles came on a long Virginia Tech scoring play. It was an uncharacteristically poor game for one of UM’s best defenders.
PFF gave average run stopping grades to defensive lineman Elija Alston and Akheem Mesidor.
▪ Pass protection broke down at times.
Per PFF, left tackle Markel Bell, center Zach Carpenter and right guard Anez Cooper each permitted a sack.
UM allowed 16 quarterback pressures, including five by Carpenter and four by Cooper. (Carpenter and Baron were dealing with injuries during the game.)
Right tackle Francis Mauogia and left guard Matthew McCoy were UM’s top two run blockers among offensive linemen, per PFF.
▪ UM’s top five players on offense Friday, per PFF: tight end Cam McCormick, quarterback Cam Ward, Francis Mauogia, tight end Elijah Arroyo and running back Mark Fletcher Jr.
Here’s how snaps were allocated at running back: Damien Martinez 39, Fletcher 23, Chris Johnson 6, Jordan Lyle 5 and Ajay Allen 2.
Here’s how snaps were allocated at receiver: Xavier Restrepo (67 of UM’s 74 offensive snaps), Sam Brown (49), Jacolby George (47), Isaiah Horton (40) and Ray Ray Joseph (1).
At tight end, Arroyo played 49 offensive snaps, Riley Williams 18, McCormick 16 and Elija Lofton 8.
▪ UM’s top five players on defense Friday, per PFF: Bissainthe and defensive tackles Justin Scott, Marley Cook, Barrow and Clark.
Barrow played 23 snaps. Also at defensive tackle, end/tackle Akheem Mesidor played 49, Moten 32, Clark 23, the freshman Scott 14 and Cook 10….
At cornerback, Richard played all 68 snaps. Porter played 62, Hill 39 and Frederique 35.
At safety, Powell played all 68 snaps. Harris played 29 before departing and Williams 25. Freshman Zaquan Patterson played 14 defensive snaps.
Our Jordan McPherson has more on the crazy finish here. And here’s more on Ward’s big night.
This story was originally published September 28, 2024 at 12:34 PM.
