Another key Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division game awaits the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday night.
For the second straight week, the Hurricanes (3-2, 1-1 ACC) take on an undefeated team when they visit the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (4-0, 1-0). GT leads the division, while UM is fourth. Last Saturday, the Hurricanes beat Duke 22-10.
The Yellow Jackets are coming off a bye week with extra time to prepare. The last time the Hurricanes went on the road, they dropped a 41-31 contest to undefeated Nebraska.
Georgia Tech leads the all-time series 10-9, but Miami has won five in a row since 2009. During this stretch, the Hurricanes have won by an average score of 36-20.
"It's going to be a great challenge given them coming off the bye week and being on the road," head coach Al Golden said. "We're going to have to be ready for it all. We've got to tackle well."
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Miami's defense vs. Georgia Tech's option
Why does Miami have a five-game winning streak in the series? The Hurricanes have limited the Georgia Tech option.
Since allowing 518 yards -- and an astonishing 472 on the ground -- in a 41-23 loss on Nov. 20, 2008, the UM defense has been able to solve the rushing attack. In the last five games, the Yellow Jackets have run for just 232 yards compared to 306 against other teams.
This matchup couldn't have come at a better time for Miami, a unit rediscovering its "juice" and confidence on the defensive side of the ball. Prior to the loss at Nebraska, the Hurricanes had given up 82.7 rushing yards per game (15th in the nation) with a 2.0 average yards per carry (fourth). But then the Cornhuskers ran wild for 343 yards and two touchdowns.
In the 22-10 victory over the Blue Devils, Miami made adjustments and surrendered only 85 rushing yards (264 total). Despite the disastrous showing in Lincoln, the Hurricanes rank 14th nationally with 299.8 total yards per game allowed. The next test will be with Georgia Tech, a team 10th in the nation in rushing yards per game (292) that accumulated 335 last season in Miami.
Senior b-back Zach Laskey has recorded only three negative-yardage plays for four yards lost in 278 career attempts. That amounts to 1.1 percent of his career rushes. This season, four players are averaging more than six yards a carry -- redshirt seniors Charles Perkins (12.3), Tony Zenon (6.9) and Deon Hill (6.1) as well as redshirt sophomore quarterback Justin Thomas (6.8).
With the option, assignment football will be critical for the Hurricanes. At Nebraska, players missed tackles. That was corrected at home against Duke. When Thomas isn't rushing for 110.8 yards per game, he keeps teams honest through the air. Senior DeAndre Smelter has recorded three 100-yard receiving games with four touchdowns this season.
"They're very good at it," Golden said. "They're good at what they do. You try to practice it. You try to simulate it. Guys keep their feet. If you don't keep your feet you can't tackle. It's going to be a challenge for us, no question about it. The speed of the game being able to recognize which play we're seeing and formation. All of that is going to be important."
TRENDING UP
Miami: True freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya has thrown for over 200 yards in three straight games, including a two-touchdown, no-interception performance against Duke. The defense has recovered seven fumbles, sixth most nationally. Eight different receivers have caught a pass two weeks in a row.
Georgia Tech: All seven takeaways have led to points (45 total) for the Yellow Jackets. Each of their last two game-winning drives has been set up by turnovers. Thomas ranks second among FBS quarterbacks in rushing yards per game (302 over last two). On third downs, they convert 56.3 percent of the time for the 15th-best mark in the nation.
TRENDING DOWN
Miami: Both times the Hurricanes have trailed at halftime this season they have lost. The return game continues to be a struggle with just 18.6 yards per kickoff and 7.2 per punt. The 24 percent third-down conversion rate ranks 124th of 125 FBS teams nationally.
Georgia Tech: Opponents score 80 percent of the time on red-zone opportunities. The defense allows 6.4 yards per play and 401.2 yards per game, while surrendering 25.5 points for fourth most in the ACC. Georgia Tech's opponents are a combined 9-10.
INJURY REPORT
Miami: Out -- OL Kc McDermott (Lower Extremity), OL Taylor Gadbois (Lower Extremity), K Matt Goudis (Lower Extremity), WR Rashawn Scott (Upper Extremity)
Georgia Tech: Probable -- K Harrison Butker (ankle), RB Charles Perkins (leg); Questionable -- QB Brady Swilling (hand) according to statfox.com
DID YOU KNOW?
Miami is 20-1 when leading at the half under Golden. Junior running back Duke Johnson is third among active players in yards per rush (6.5) and fourth in yards per game (95.7). He leads in career all-purpose yards per game (163.8). When forcing three or more turnovers, the Hurricanes are 11-0 in the Golden era. Six different players have recorded an interception for the Yellow Jackets. Georgia Tech has made 17 straight bowl appearances -- tied for the second-longest active streak in the nation. The program has gone 215 consecutive games without being shut out -- the eighth-longest streak in the country.
QUOTE BOARD
"It's one of those things you're wide open, all eyes are on you. I've been thinking in my head, 'I've got to catch the ball. Everybody's watching.'" -- Freshman running back Joe Yearby on his first touchdown last Saturday
"Just keep on working hard after practice, during practice, before practice, getting your reps and catching the ball. He'll be fine. He's a strong-minded guy. He'll be all right. I've got faith in him. I take him under my wing and work on extra catching -- everything you can. You've got to look the ball in with your eyes. You've got to catch with your eyes. Obviously you catch with your hands, but it's all hand-eye coordination. You've got to look the ball in every time." -- Senior wideout Phillip Dorsett on how he plans to help slumping sophomore Stacy Coley out
"When we have 'juice' everybody comes to play and executes more and stuff like that. We make more plays. They were just congratulating on everything and telling us to keep going, keep going, stuff like that and bring the juice to the table." -- Sophomore cornerback Artie Burns on the importance of energy, which was seen on Saturday
"Same thing that happened in the Nebraska game. They're going to get a chunk of yards and it ends up bad." -- Senior linebacker Denzel Perryman on what happens if the defense can't stop the option
"That goes to show you 'the dog don't bite when he's a pup, dog don't bite when he's a dog.' So he's a pup that bites. It's good to know, and he's obviously in our gameplan every week. We've got to use him more." -- Offensive coordinator James Coley on Yearby
LOOKING AHEAD
Miami returns home to host non-conference opponent Cincinnati at noon Oct. 11 for Family Weekend. The Hurricanes have won nine straight in the series, but the teams have not met since 1998 -- a 38-12 Miami victory.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
