Against clock-chewing Jackets, points at a premium for ’Canes
Miami’s offense, headed by coach Mark Richt, has struggled during UM’s recent three-game losing streak. Now it faces a Georgia Tech team known for limiting opponents’ offensive chances.
CORAL GABLES — There have been times where promising drives have sputtered. Others where they’ve moved the ball, but haven’t been able to score. And then there have been the miserable stretches where turnovers and penalties ended drives.
Quarterbacks have struggled. Running backs have struggled. Offensive linemen have struggled.
Next up
UM at Georgia Tech, 7 p.m. Saturday, ESPN2
Receivers haven’t been spared the misery, either.
Over the course of the Hurricanes’ ugly three-game losing streak, Miami’s offense has found itself dealing with problem after problem and Virginia, Boston College and Duke have capitalized, scoring wins and leaving the Hurricanes searching for answers.
Now, with its dream of repeating as Coastal Division champions and playing for the ACC title all but over, Miami finds itself facing a different kind of challenge — trying to get its offense moving while facing an opponent determined to keep that offense on the sideline.
For years, Georgia Tech’s tripleoption has frustrated foes by chewing up clock on methodical
drives that can lull opposing defenses to sleep, while keeping opposing offenses completely at bay.
In each of Miami’s last five matchups against Georgia Tech, the Yellow Jackets (5-4, 3-3 ACC) have held a significant edge in time of possession. In two of those games, Tech has held the ball for more than 39 minutes.
Miami has won four of those games, but now, with the offense facing questions — including at quarterback — players and coaches know there is little room for error Saturday night at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta.
“We’re taking that as the main emphasis this week. We know they can get in there and hold the ball for eight, nine minutes and just run off a quarter. And they may not even score,” left tackle Tyree St Louis said. “If they do score, that adds even more pressure.”
One thing the Hurricanes (5-4, 2-3) may be able to rely on for help, this week more than ever, is their defense.
Miami defenders have, typically, played well against Tech’s option in recent seasons, even if they’ve allowed the Yellow Jackets to gain yards. In 2016, during Miami’s last visit to Atlanta, Miami’s defense gave up 267 rushing yards in 39:54, but scored twice. And last year, the Hurricanes held Tech to 281 yards in a 25-24 win.
The hope now is that that trend continues, especially as the offense tries to put things together and improve on its average of 390 yards and 32 points per game — an average still being helped, of course, by a 77-0 win over a Savannah State team that will be playing in Division II next season.
“Playing against [Georgia Tech] for the last 10 years of my career, it is tough on an offense to be sitting there waiting, waiting, waiting for an opportunity, if it holds true to form,” said Hurricanes coach Mark Richt, who saw plenty of Georgia Tech during his time at Georgia and has a 15-2 career record against the Yellow Jackets. “But our defense has played well against them in the past and I have a lot of faith and confidence in this week.
“Bottom line is, the best way to beat them is somehow get turnovers or get them behind the sticks a little bit, which is hard to do because most everything is downhill coming at you.”
A depleted Miami offense be pressed to respond.
Whether it can, considering what has happened in recent weeks, is one of the biggest questions facing the Hurricanes.
“Mainly, we’re all just getting fed up with the same things. No one is ever happy after one loss, let alone two, three, four,” St. Louis said. “So now, we’re saying enough is enough.” will