Offense’s transformation has been remarkable
They had to get better because they could barely get worse.
But this much better? Entering this weekend’s games, the No. 8 Hurricanes — off on Saturday as they prepare for a road game at top-ranked Clemson — are 10th in the nation in sacks allowed.
The Canes (3-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) allowed an almost inconceivable 51 sacks in 2019 to finish fourth worst of
130 FBS teams.
They have allowed three in this young season: two in the opener against UAB, one at Louisville and none last weekend against Florida State.
Their rushing offense: 13th in the nation, averaging 232 yards a game — compared to 120th at the end of 2019 (118 yards a game). Keep in mind that as of this week, 71 teams were included in the NCAA statistics, which will broaden considerably as other conferences open their seasons.
This season’s five starting linemen in the new spread offense are 6-5, 312-pound sophomore left tackle Zion Nelson (after John Campbell the first two games); 6-3, 320-pound sophomore left guard Jakai
Clark; 6-4, 300-pound redshirt junior Corey Gaynor; 6-3, 314-pound right guard DJ Scaife; and 6-6, 308-pound graduate transfer Jarrid Williams.
‘THINK LESS,
PLAY MORE’
“Everybody on the team is hungry right now,’’
Clark, from Loganville, Georgia, told UM broadcaster Joe Zagacki on WQAM’s Hurricane Hotline last week. “When you have 15-, 16-, 17-play drives, we’re used to it because we’re used to going at that speed. We’re still tired, but we can still function when we’re tired. Other teams might not be able to function.
“With the offense we’re running, you can think less and play more. Plus, last year we were really young.’’
Canes fans can thank offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee’s fast-paced attack and elite quarterback D’Eriq King’s ability to run it, as well as new offensive coordinator Garin Justice and a group of linemen who have grown up and were fortunate to get the services of Williams — also King’s right tackle at their former Houston program.
“Jarrid being down here, he’s kind of like a security blanket for me,’’ King said. “He’s holding up pretty good.’’
No wonder King (63 of 94 for 736 yards, six touchdowns, with no interceptions; and 157 yards and a touchdown rushing) has vowed to give his bodyguards UM’s touchdown rings that are awarded every time someone scores.
Of course, those linemen are just as grateful to King, whose penchant for escaping the pocket untouched and sprinting downfield has recently been outdone by his ability to stay in the pocket, go through his progressions and deliver crisp, precise passes. ‘NO COMPLAINTS’
“The O-line has done great,’’ King said even before the season began. “Ever since I got here in the spring, I noticed there were a lot of concerns with the media. But those guys were really, really young. I have no complaints.’’
Clark and other linemen have praised Justice, who came to Miami from UNLV, as a coach they respect and with whom they feel comfortable. That wasn’t always the case, many have said behind the scenes, of former line coach Butch Barry, now a senior analyst with the Green Bay Packers.
“The biggest difference he made is just the positivity factor,’’ Clark said of Justice. “Just being around the guys there’s a different energy with Coach Justice as the coach. What he brings makes the players he coaches play harder for him because we respect him, because he’s more relatable.’’
CLEMSON’S DEFENSE
With the help of the line’s protection, another astounding improvement: The Canes are 11th nationally in third-down conversions (129th of 130 last season) as they prepare to face a Clemson team that this week was ranked fifth in total defense, sixth in sacks, second in tackles for loss and 10th in thirddown conversion on defense.
But that was after only two games, a 37-13 opening-week victory over Wake Forest and 49-0 rout of the Citadel as the Tigers prepared for their game Saturday against Virginia.
“It all comes down to being focused and locked in,’’ Clark said. “Those third downs, fourth downs, you have to be keyed in on your assignments, your fundamentals, and we’ve done a great job of doing that so far — and also getting a great look from our scout team guys in practice.”
Clark told Zagacki that the thought of playing Clemson “is definitely exciting’’ and could serve as “a great test.’’
“It can show us where we are as a team,’’ he said. “But at the end of the day we have to focus on ourselves and understand it’s just another game.”