Just how improved is the Hurricanes’ defense this year? A look at the numbers
What a difference a year has made for the Miami Hurricanes’ defense.
A coordinator change and a turnover in personnel has transformed Miami’s defense from its weak link in a 2024 season that saw the Hurricanes miss the playoffs despite having the nation’s top offense to being the strength keeping its hopes alive this season.
The overhaul has been led by the success story of defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, who replaced Lance Guidry at the position.
It continues with the success stories of players brought in — defensive backs Keionte Scott, Jakobe Thomas and Xavier Lucas; linebacker Mohamed Toure; and defensive tackle David Blay Jr. among them — along with a few key returnees (Rueben Bain Jr., Akheem Mesidor and Wesley Bissainthe among them) to fortify weak spots from a year ago.
And it has come together with a collective understanding of what it takes to play at a high level that is showing up on a weekly basis.
“It’s the way that our guys prepare,” Hetherman said. “I think during the week, we treat everything like a game situation. Every time we take the field, we do it from a huddle or from a break, whether it’s practice on Tuesday, it’s a Wednesday or it’s a Saturday — no matter where we’re playing. Just trying to get our guys in the mind-set of situational football, of taking the field, of playing together as a group and then [it’s] just communicate and being mentally prepared every single series — no matter first quarter, fourth quarter, no matter the field position, home or away. Our guys have done a really good job of working together through that and getting themselves prepared as a unit every single series to go out and try to get a stop.”
The results speak for themselves.
Miami enters this week ranked among the nation’s best in a slew of key categories.
▪ Seventh nationally and second in the Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing yards allowed per game (88.33). They were 19th nationally last year.
▪ Ninth nationally and first in the ACC in total yards allowed per play (4.47). They were 44th nationally last year.
▪ Ninth nationally and second in the ACC in rushing yards allowed per play (2.83). They were 35th nationally last year.
▪ Tenth nationally and first in the ACC in points allowed per game (15). They were 68th nationally last year.
▪ Tenth nationally and second in the ACC in opponent third-down conversion rate (30.58%). They were tied for 44th nationally last year.
▪ Eleventh nationally and first in the ACC in yards allowed per game (285.1). They were 27th nationally last year.
▪ Tied for 12th nationally and tied for second in the ACC in passing yards allowed per attempt (6.0). They were tied for 40th nationally last year.
▪ Tied for 18th nationally and tied for second in the ACC in total turnovers forced (16). They were tied for 58th nationally last year.
▪ Tied for 18th nationally and tied for fourth in the ACC in sacks per game (2.67). They were also tied for 18th nationally last year.
All of that was on display in Miami’s 38-10 win over Syracuse on Saturday, a needed bounce-back victory that kept UM’s College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Miami held Syracuse to just 285 yards of total offense, forced three turnovers, had seven sacks, logged 11 tackles for loss and saw the Orange go just 6 for 15 on third down.
The Hurricanes’ defensive performance in the first half was most notable. With the offense struggling to do anything on its first four drives, Miami’s defense had no choice but to keep Syracuse in check to keep the game close.
It did just that, forcing the Orange into four punts as well before the Hurricanes offense rattled off a five-play, 90-yard touchdown drive.
The defense then put on a masterclass finish to the second quarter. Scott returned an interception for a touchdown to push Miami’s lead to 14-0. And then after Syracuse marched into the red zone trying to get points before the half, Mesidor forced a fumble on first and goal from the Miami 10 that Thomas recovered to keep the shutout intact.
The only touchdown Miami gave up came with 21 seconds left, when the Hurricanes were already up 35 and had a slew of reserves on the field to close out the game.
“Swarming is the big thing for us,” said Thomas, who also had a third-quarter interception against Syracuse. “All 11 hats to the ball as fast as possible. You see it, and you go get the ball.”
Added Mesidor: “All three levels executed properly.”
They’ll need to keep doing that for at least three more weeks if Miami, up to No. 15 in the College Football Playoff rankings, wants to have a chance to make the 12-team playoff.
That starts Saturday as the Hurricanes (7-2, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) host the NC State Wolfpack (5-4, 2-3 ACC) at Hard Rock Stadium (3:30 p.m., ESPN). NC State has had a middle-of-the-road season but does have a pair of big wins, most notably and recently a 48-36 upset win over previously undefeated Georgia Tech during which it racked up 583 yards of offense and averaged 8.70 yards per play.
Quarterback CJ Bailey, a former standout at Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna, leads the Wolfpack, completing 70.7% of his passes for 2,411 yards and 19 touchdowns with seven interceptions. They have a stout run game and an array of pass catchers, with six players having at least 20 catches and 200 receiving yards.
“They’re explosive,” Thomas said. “They’ve got a lot of pieces everywhere.”
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