Miami finishes up non-conference slate with Cincinnati matchup
The final non-conference game of the 2014 slate couldn't be more important for Miami (3-3), as it hosts Cincinnati (2-2).
Miami is 5-7 in its last 12 contests and coming off a 28-17 defeat to Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division rival Georgia Tech. The Hurricanes hope to avoid falling below .500 this late in the season since 2011 when they were 2-3 on Oct. 8 after losing to Virginia Tech. In 2007, they finished the year 5-7 after dropping three in a row.
Cincinnati, a program that played at Sun Life Stadium for the 2009 Orange Bowl against the Hokies, will likely be without starting quarterback Gunner Kiel due to bruised ribs. He leads the American Athletic Conference in passing efficiency (171.2), passing touchdowns (15), points per game (22.5) and yards per pass (9.31).
His replacement is still up in the air, but competition is between senior Munchie Legaux and junior Jarred Evans. Legaux, who has gone 9 for 18 with 57 yards this season, filled in for Kiel this past Saturday.
Miami leads the all-time series 10-1, having taken the past nine meetings. UM is 5-0 at home. The teams have not faced each other since 1998 when the Hurricanes won 38-12 at home.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Miami's third-down offense vs. Cincinnati's defense
Something has got to give here.
The Hurricanes enter with the worst third-down conversion rate (24 percent) in the nation. But the Bearcats allow opponents to get the first down 55 percent of the time -- last in college football.
Players on offense -- from junior running back Duke Johnson to true freshman wideout Braxton Berrios -- said in order for the stat to improve, the unit must produce better results on first and second downs.
When asked whether it has gotten frustrating not touching the ball more often on third-down situations, Johnson said no.
"I probably got the ball first down and could've put us in a better position for third down or gotten the first on first or second down where we don't need to get the third down," Johnson said. "It's all frustrating because I get the opportunity I should've on first and second so we wouldn't get to third. When I do get it on third I have to make sure I convert it."
Even when the playcall works, the execution doesn't always come through. On the first third-down situation on Saturday against the Yellow Jackets, senior tight end Clive Walford dropped a pass that would've been enough for the first.
"Maybe it's like a hitter," head coach Al Golden said. "Maybe we just have to stop thinking about it and just start going."
Being better on third downs not only helps the offense but also the defense. More time of possession -- Miami held the ball for just 19:15 on Saturday -- means the defense can stay rested for future drives.
According to a stat on ESPN.com, the offense has recorded a 2.30 team efficiency (63rd in FBS). The defense, meanwhile, is at 3.39 (38th) and special teams at 0.08 (65th). The team efficiencies are the point contributions of each unit to the team's scoring margin each game.
TRENDING UP
Cincinnati: On offense, the Bearcats are 12-of-13 inside the red zone. The unit has 11 scoring drives of 90 seconds or less this season, including three of four at Ohio State. Senior linebacker Jeff Luc leads the nation with 15.5 tackles per game (62 total).
Miami: The Hurricanes are 11-1 in their last 12 home games at Sun Life Stadium. Johnson has back-to-back 100-yard rushing games. In each of the last four weeks, the offense has scored on its opening possession.
TRENDING DOWN
Cincinnati: The Bearcats have lost two in a row and look to avoid their first three-game skid since 2010 (Oct. 22-Nov. 13). Cincinnati's defense permits 561.8 yards per game, most in the country. Opponents hold onto the ball for nearly 16 more minutes per game.
Miami: The Hurricanes rank last in the nation with a 24 percent third-down conversion rate. Miami is 1-3 when giving up 300-plus total yards. In the three losses, the offense has turned the ball over eight times. UM is 5-7 in its last 12 games, dropping each by double-digit points.
INJURY REPORT
Cincinnati: Out -- RB Hosey Williams (knee); Questionable -- QB Gunner Kiel (bruised ribs); Surgery/Out For Season -- OL Cory Keebler (knee)
Miami: Out -- OL Kc McDermott (lower extremity), OL Taylor Gadbois (lower extremity), K Matt Goudis (lower extremity), WR Rashawn Scott (upper extremity); Surgery/Out For Season -- DB Rayshawn Jenkins (lower extremity)
DID YOU KNOW?
Johnson is just 32 rushing yards shy of surpassing Clinton Portis (2,523) for fourth in program history. Despite the performance on Saturday, Miami's total defense ranks 16th nationally with 311.7 yards allowed per game. Cincinnati has won 76 games over the last seven years, the most among the current American Athletic Conference. Junior receiver Johnny Holton leads the AAC in all-purpose yards, averaging 119.5 per game. UM's Phillip Dorsett (31.31) and UC's Chris Moore (30.91) are first and second, respectively, in yards-per-catch average this season.
QUOTEBOARD
"Everybody wants to see the bad stuff. People only watch the news to see the bad stuff. So that's what everybody wants to see. Everybody wants to see the bad but nobody wants to see the good." -- Senior defensive lineman Olsen Pierre on the bad overshadowing the good on defense.
"Just don't focus on the negativity and focus on the good things and learn from the bad. As a freshman I knew I stepped into a major program where there's always pressure on winning. We all know that. We're just focusing on what we need to do to get better as a team." -- True freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya on what he's learned most.
"The craziest thing is people coming up to me and recognizing me when I'm an offensive lineman. Not many people recognize me. I feel special after that." -- Senior offensive lineman Shane McDermott.
"All of that -- I hear everything, I hear what everyone says, don't worry about that. Whenever my number's called I just try to make a play." -- Senior wideout Phillip Dorsett on whether he gets enough touches in a game.
"It's not hard. I'm a human being, I can see where it comes from (where) the frustration would come from. We're 3-3, and we're a lot better of a team than that. Doesn't mean we won't go 9-3 or 10-3. We only have three losses, and it's one game at a time now." -- True freshman wideout Braxton Berrios on whether he sees where fans' frustration comes from.
LOOKING AHEAD
After seven straight games to open the season, Miami gets a bye week to regroup. The Hurricanes then travel to Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech for a Thursday night contest on Oct. 23.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.
