Miami Defense Focused on Irish Running Game
By David Villavicencio
HurricaneSports.com
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Every week in 2017, the Miami Hurricanes have risen to the challenge.
The No. 7 Canes (8-0, 6-0 ACC) are one of five undefeated teams remaining in FBS and have a 13-game winning streak, the longest active streak at college football’s highest level.
Whether it was stopping Toledo’s prolific passing attack, Georgia Tech’s triple option, Syracuse’s up-tempo system or Virginia Tech’s balanced offense, Miami’s defense has gotten the job done.
But the Hurricanes will face their toughest test of the season on Saturday, as No. 3 Notre Dame (8-1) and its highly productive rushing attack head to Hard Rock Stadium for an 8 p.m. game that will be broadcast on ABC.
“We handle it the same way we handle every attack,” linebacker Shaquille Quarterman said. “The main objective is to run the ball. If you can’t run the ball, very few teams can win with just passing the ball. That’s our M.O. If you stop the run, then you stop the team.”
Left tackle Mike McGlinchey leads an experienced offensive line that has helped the Fighting Irish rank fifth in FBS in rushing offense, averaging 324.8 yards per game.
“Their offensive line, it’s one of the best in America, I don’t think many people would argue that,” Miami head coach Mark Richt said. “Their left guard and left tackle could be the very first picks of the draft at their position. The center and right guard are seniors. The only sophomore is the right tackle, [Tommy] Kraemer. They’re very experienced and very, very talented. They’re paving the way. Over 300 yards per game rushing, and this isn’t just triple-option football. This is just line up and physically move people off the ball – kick-your-tail type offensive line.
Notre Dame leads the nation at 7.0 yards per carry and the Fighting Irish have a deep group of gifted runners, led by Heisman Trophy candidate Josh Adams and dual-threat quarterback Brandon Wimbush.
“They have really committed themselves to pounding the rock this year, and for a good reason, because they have great running backs,” Miami defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said. “The Adams kid is not a good player. He’s a great player. We’ll see a great player Saturday night. Much stronger than he was a year ago and you can see that in the way he finishes his runs – top-end speed, doesn’t get caught from behind and his stats show for it. That’s why they average what they average per carry because they are breaking so many explosive plays in the run game. The quarterback is the same way on designed quarterback runs. Sometimes, when you cover everybody, he takes off. His speed just jumps off the film.”
Adams has run for nearly 1,200 yards and scored nine rushing touchdowns, averaging 8.7 yards per carry this season. Seven of the junior’s nine rushing touchdowns have been for 60+ yards this season, proving that he is a big-play threat every time he touches the football.
Canes fans have witnessed Adams’ ability first-hand. A year ago, Adams ripped off a 41-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 27 against the Hurricanes and finished the day with 94 rushing yards and a score.
Wimbush has been a dangerous runner, especially near the goal line. The junior quarterback is second on the team with 639 rushing yards and leads the Fighting Irish with 13 rushing touchdowns. Wimbush also has thrown for 1,286 yards and 11 touchdowns, while tossing just two interceptions in 200 attempts.
“A true dual-threat guy,” Richt said. “The numbers show that, but also the difference between him and a lot of running quarterbacks is just how fast he is. He can truly take it to the house when he breaks out. That has got to be something we hopefully keep from happening.”
While Adams and Wimbush are the primary rushing threats, Notre Dame has three other running backs that can gash a defense when given touches. Deon McIntosh (5.7), Dexter Williams (9.0) and Tony Jones Jr. (5.4) have each gotten at least 30 carries and are all averaging over five yards per carry.
“They run really well and we have to stop them the run better than they can run it,” linebacker Zach McCloud said.
Notre Dame’s McIntosh is the younger brother of Miami defensive lineman RJ McIntosh. The siblings got a taste of the Miami-Notre Dame rivalry a year ago, but the family rivalry has heightened as Deon has become Notre Dame’s top reserve running back.
“He’s a good player,” McIntosh said of his younger brother. “I grew up with him but we’re going to handle him too. He’s fast, he’s quick, he trash talks. He tries to get in my head. He tries to pick on me and I pick on him. But, we’re very confident in our teams. I’m going to be trash talking out there to him.”
Miami’s defense ranks 40th in FBS, allowing 3.9 yards per carry, but they have stepped up in key moments all season. A week ago, the Canes held Virginia Tech running back Travon McMillian to just 3.5 yards per carry and all Hokie running backs combined to average just 2.4 yards per carry.
“We’ve got a big game ahead of us on Saturday night,” defensive back Jaquan Johnson said. “The team’s preparing, preparation is key. We’re looking forward to the matchup.”
Johnson is Miami’s leading tackler with 58 stops (36 solo), while sophomore linebackers Quarterman and Michael Pinckney rank seconds and third, respectively, in tackles. The trio will play a key role in slowing Adams, Wimbush and the rest of the Notre Dame ground game.
Miami is 12th in scoring defense, allowing 17.6 points a game, and seventh in interceptions with 13. The Hurricanes are also fifth in team sacks, fourth in turnover margin and lead the nation in tackles for loss.
The Hurricanes know they will need to play their best in every phase of the game if they hope to continue their winning streak. The 13-game stretch dates back to Oct. 29, 2016 – the day Miami faced the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame.
“It really has been a payback season to everybody that we lost to last season,” Quarterman said. “We are just working down the line, we just can’t wait to line it up Saturday. We are preparing right now so that on Saturday we can fly around all day.”
