Miami football offense producing greater than perception
The Miami football team is tied for second with Florida State in the ACC averaging 465.8 total yards per game, second in the conference averaging 313.8 passing yards per game and eighth averaging 151.8 passing yards per game. The first two numbers are higher than the perception that the Miami offense is struggling.
The Miami football team is 23rd nationally in total offense, 16th in passing and 69th in rushing. After throwing for 496 yards versus North Carolina last week, Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is third in the ACC averaging 259.4 passing yards per game. Van Dyke is 37th nationally in passing yards per game.
Van Dyke has accomplished those numbers despite only 16 pass attempts in a 70-13 win over Bethune-Cookman and being pulled in the third quarter of the 45-31 loss to Middle Tennessee State. Van Dyke will have a chance against a Virginia Tech pass defense that allowed 367 yards versus North Carolina two weeks ago.
Miami has been able to move the ball offensively. The problems for the Miami offense have been finishing drives in the red zone, specifically into touchdowns. Miami is tied for 72nd nationally scoring on 82.14 percent of its red zone trips. The Hurricanes are 78th scoring TDs on 60.71 percent of its red zone attempts.
The poor conversion rate in the red zone has led to Miami being 46th averaging only 32.8 points per game. Miami had 537 total yards versus North Carolina but lost 27-24. Miami scored on four of its five red zone trips. Miami’s red zone trips did not include a fumble lost by Jaylan Knighton after a nine-yard gain to the UNC 17 yardline.
Part of the problems for Miami in the red zone has been the poor Hurricanes’ running game in the last two games. Miami has 62 carries for 102 rushing yards and two TDs in the last two games. Against North Carolina, Miami failed on three straight rushing plays on first and goal from the North Carolina two yardline.
Van Dyke was incomplete to tight end Will Mallory on fourth down. The fumble by Knighton came on fourth down. Miami also turned the ball over twice inside the Middle Tennessee State 10 yardline. The Miami football team also had a 36-yard Andres Borreagales field goal attempt blocked versus Texas A&M.
That drive stalled at the Aggies’ 18 yardline. Miami has left too many points on the board this season. Entering ACC play the Miami offense has to be able to get back to running the ball as they did in the first three games of the season and finish drives. Between the twenties, the Miami offense has been productive in 2022.
