The No. 5 Miami Hurricanes have rolled to a 2-0 start, but one number still sticks out: the defense has not produced a single turnover.
No interception. No fumble recovery. No turnover on downs.
That stat looks odd next to the results, because Miami’s defense has been plenty disruptive even without a takeaway to show for it. Stanford and Florida A&M combined to convert only six third downs in 18 tries, and neither team ever even attempted a fourth down. Miami also finished those two games with 11 passes broken up, and redshirt junior safety Zechariah Poyser had a pair of chances to turn one into a takeaway against Stanford - one was too far out of bounds, and he simply couldn’t reach the other in time.
"We've gotten tips, overthrows, and hands on the football," defensive coordinator Corey Heterman said in Monday's media availability. "We're going to get one, I'm hoping it's soon, but we're going to continue to attack. We've had a couple of opportunities, it just hasn't happened yet."
There’s more going on here than a dry turnover total, though. Miami has had to reshape parts of its defense after losing edge rusher Akheem Mesidor, safety Jakobe Thomas, corner/nickelback Keionte Scott, and All-American edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. to the NFL. That’s a lot of production to replace, especially up front and in the secondary.
So far, the group has held together. Run defense was a major reason Miami surged last season, when the Hurricanes ranked sixth in the Football Bowl Subdivision against the run. Mesidor, Scott and Bain Jr. were major pieces of that success, but this year’s defense has kept both Stanford and Florida A&M under 80 rushing yards.
The pass rush has also started to take shape. Miami’s defensive line has produced three sacks so far, with junior Armondo Blount, junior Marquise Lightfoot and sophomore Herbert Scroggins III each logging one. The names are different, but the pressure has still been there.
And the big-play prevention has been strong. Across the two games, the Hurricanes have given up just nine total explosive plays - seven completions of 15 yards or more and two runs of at least 10 yards.
That’s why the lack of turnovers hasn’t turned into a bigger issue yet. Miami has still controlled games on defense, even if the scoreboard hasn’t reflected a takeaway.
The next chance comes Friday against Wake Forest at North Carolina. The Demon Deacons are fresh off a 38-36 double-overtime win over Purdue, and Miami will be looking to turn the pressure and pass breakups into something more damaging.
If the turnovers still haven’t arrived after next Saturday’s home matchup with Central Michigan on Sept. 26, then the conversation changes.
In Other News...
Ex-Miami Receivers Arrest Puts The Program In A Brutal Spotlight
A former Miami wide receiver is back in the news for all the wrong reasons, and the case has already thrown a harsh spotlight on a program that has spent years trying to move forward from off-field distractions. Mark Pope was arrested in Miami-Dade County on felony charges that include armed robbery with a firearm and aggravated battery, a startling development for a player once part of the Hurricanes receiver room.
Police say the incident began during a dispute at a local park, where Pope allegedly pistol-whipped a woman and took her cellphone by force. He was booked into a correctional facility and held without bond, and a court order would require a GPS ankle monitor if he is ever released, leaving the legal process to unfold while Miami is left watching another former player face a serious and troubling situation. [Read more 🡒]
Former Miami Playmaker Is At Center Of A Disturbing Arrest Case
A former Miami Hurricanes playmaker is back in the news for all the wrong reasons. Mark Pope was arrested in Miami-Dade County on felony charges that include armed robbery with a firearm and aggravated battery, turning what began as a dispute with an acquaintance into a serious legal case that has quickly drawn attention around the programs fan base.
Police allege Pope pulled a handgun, pistol-whipped the woman and took her cell phone before being booked into a correctional facility. He is being held without bond, and if he is released, a court order requires him to wear a GPS ankle monitor, leaving the next steps in the case to play out in court. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Offense Looks Ready But One Wake Forest Test Still Matters
No. 5 Miami heads to Wake Forest on Friday night with some early momentum and a chance to keep its unbeaten start intact in ACC play. The Hurricanes have handled Stanford and Florida A&M to open 2-0, and the matchup brings an interesting early-season contrast because Wake Forest is also unbeaten after wins over Akron and Purdue.
The offense has looked capable enough to travel, but this is still the sort of road test that can reveal more than a couple of lopsided September results. Predictions around the game lean toward Miami, with attention on key player performances and how the Hurricanes handle a defense that should be more demanding than the first two opponents. [Read more 🡒]