Canes Focused on Assignments Ahead of GT Game
By David Villavicencio
HurricaneSports.com
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Miami Hurricanes are set for their annual tussle against Georgia Tech.
Saturday’s game presents a unique challenge against a physical triple option offense that the Canes are mentally and physically prepared to face.
“It’s two things, really,” Miami defensive coordinator Manny Diaz said. “One, tactically being ready for everything they have which is going to be different from what you do week in and week out. And secondly, and probably more importantly, it’s your attitude and being ready to match them, and to match their toughness, and to match their physicality. It’s a game where you certainly have to have your tactics right, but it is still a blocking and tackling day at the office, and the team that blocks better or the team that defeats blocks better and tackles better versus the team that breaks tackles better usually wins.”
The Yellow Jackets lead FBS in rushing offense, averaging 377 yards per game on the ground. They are also among the nation’s leaders in time of possession, ranking fifth at 34:28 per game.
“Last ballgame, [Tobias] Oliver, who, at least in that game, was second-team quarterback, rushed for 120 yards and 2 TDs,” Miami head coach Mark Richt said. “He had the game-winning score and also threw an 86-yard touchdown pass in the game. They rushed for 461 yards in the game, which is kind of a typical offensive performance for them, rushing for something about 400 yards a game and controlling the clock.”
Because of their offensive scheme, opposing defenses need to be physically and mentally prepared for a grueling battle.
“Sometimes it’s mental conditioning, to not lose your poise,” Diaz said. “Like you said, they can be out there for quite a while. They’re going to huddle, they are not going to go fast, it’s not going to be hot outside, but sometimes you get mentally worn down, and something you were reading early on, and all of a sudden your eyes, your mind starts to slow down. Your feet may be willing, but your mind is where the fatigue really sets in.”
Defensive back Michael Jackson has faced off against Georgia Tech several times in his career and he knows what the Canes need to do on defense if they want to succeed on Saturday.
“Just the mentality that you have to be physical, especially at corner,” Jackson said. “Us corners have to be physical and tackle. It’s not a cute game. You’re going to be dirty. You’re going to be sore after the game. You’re going to be banging all game and look up and it’s only the third quarter and you have to keep banging. It’s just a physical mindset.”
The phrase “assignment football” is frequently heard when a team is facing Georgia Tech. With their triple option offense, Miami’s defenders need to be very disciplined with every snap.
“They do a lot of option,” defensive back Trajan Bandy said. “They do a lot of cutting and everything happens so fast. You have to keep your eye on your man because you never know when they might do a trick play, he might spit it out or he might have the ball. You never know, so we just have to have eye discipline on everything.”
The battle upfront is especially tough, as Georgia Tech’s offensive linemen will continually try to cut bock Miami’s defensive line. Gerald Willis III, who leads the ACC in tackles for loss, believes the Canes are ready to face the GT ground attack.
“We’re up for the challenge like every other week,” Willis said. “We just have to get ready for the cut blocks and these double teams, but we’re ready.”
While Georgia Tech’s offense is atypical of what most college football teams run, the concept is not foreign to the Miami defenders. The Hurricanes have been preparing for the Yellow Jackets sporadically throughout the year and they believe that approach helps them be ready for the triple option when they face it every season.
“We work on them in the off season, too,” Bandy said. “We do a lot of bag drills where they throw the bags at us and we push it back down to the ground. We’ve been preparing for them throughout the season, but it’s definitely unique. It’s an option team. They run with their quarterback, they give the ball to the fullback, sometimes they pitch it to the wingman and he might go out there and throw the ball, so it’s just so much that can happen. So we have to adjust everything, be on discipline and just play fast.”
Discipline and executing assignments are paramount for Miami this week, as any one misstep could lead to a huge play for Georgia Tech. Willis and the Canes have been focused in the film room and on the practice field to ensure they know their duties and can execute the,
“Just knowing your assignment, just knowing what you have to do each and every play,” Willis said. “If you do not know your assignment the ball could break for a touchdown. So just really knowing your assignment and just playing fast.”
While stopping the run usually is performed by the front seven, Miami’s secondary will play a big role in that area this week too. The cornerbacks and safeties will need to be sure tacklers, as the front seven will be fighting off blocks at the line of scrimmage.
“They’re going to test and see if you tackle,” Jackson said. “They’re going to see if you’re scared to get cut. You can get cut 10 plays in a row and you still have to come back and be as physical as possible on that 11th play because that one could change the game.”
