After reviewing tape of the 29-26 win over Virginia, Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Lance Guidry was not pleased with the slow start from his group, but he was proud of the way the defense battled as the game progressed.
Miami’s defense allowed a touchdown on UVA’s first possession of the game and the Hurricanes found themselves down 10-0 with eight minutes remaining in the second quarter.
It was a pretty lethargic start for UM, but in the second half the defense settled in and started making plays.
In the third quarter, safety Kamren Kinchens came through with an interception that he returned for a touchdown to give Miami its first lead against the Cavaliers in the third quarter, 17-10.
Virginia and Miami continued to trade blows for the remainder of the second half and Guidry was pleased with the way the Hurricanes battled—particularly in the red-zone.
UVA made six trips into the red-zone and the Hurricanes held the Cavaliers to four field goals.
“What they are doing a better job at is coming to the sideline and being able to adjust,” Guidry said of the defense. “Before, I don’t think we adjusted well. We adjusted well on the sideline [this game]. Each series is different. We have coaches that are doing a good job of seeing what the offense is doing and writing it down and charting it and then coming back and correcting it on the sideline.
“We have a tough group mentally. I like our mindset. Some times when we go up by a little bit too much, we will relax. We have to keep our foot on the gas, but I think we have a mentally tough group.”
Miami was able to force an overtime thanks to a 48-yard field goal by Andy Borregales and a late game sack by true freshman Rueben Bain.
The UM defense went on the field first in the overtime and allowed a 35-yard field goal from Will Bettridge, which allowed the Hurricanes to have an opportunity to earn the victory on an 11-yard touchdown run from Mark Fletcher.
It was the second overtime victory in as many weeks for the Hurricanes.
“I don’t know if I can have any more of those overtimes,” Guidry said with a smile. “I don’t know how many more I got left in me. It is always good when you win games like that because it shows that your team is mentally tough and they can find a way to win.”
This week, Miami will travel to Raleigh, North Carolina to take on the NC State Wolfpack.
Getting off to a fast start in a road environment will be a big key for the Hurricanes defense this week.
“We need to start faster this game,” Guidry said. “Last week, we didn’t play fast. It wasn’t so much what they were doing. We just looked a little lethargic—kind of like the way it did against North Carolina in the third quarter…We need to come out quick this game.”
NC State enters this week averaging 3.4 points per game in the first quarter of games against FBS opponents, which ranks tied for 108th in the country. Miami has allowed 3.4 points per game during the first quarter against FBS opponents, which ranks tied for 27th in the country.
Miami ranks 19th in the country in red-zone touchdown defense, allowing opponents to convert touchdowns on 46.6 percent of their opportunities.
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