IN THE CROSSHAIRS

Richt Setting the Pace with Hurricanes

Ken Cross

October 02, 2017 at 8:09 pm.

Sep 29, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt talks to quarterback Malik Rosier (12) in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Miami beat Duke 31-6. Photo Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Sep 29, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt talks to quarterback Malik Rosier (12) in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Miami beat Duke 31-6. Photo Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports

Miami coach Mark Richt has been the Hurricanes head coach for only one year and three games, but after his team’s convincing 31-6 win at undefeated Duke, Richt has proven to have this program way ahead of the curve with two highly-rated recruiting classes inside a stable system.

The Hurricanes’ defense arrived in a major way as they held the Blue Devils offense to two field goals. The Blue Devils came into the game averaging 40.5 points and 470 total yards per game.

Miami came after Duke quarterback Daniel Jones early and often as linebackers Michael Pinkney and Shaquille Quarterman worked sideline to sideline in keeping Blue Devils running backs Shaun Wilson and Brittain Brown from getting in space in the running game or on the swing pass.

“We went back to playing hard and physical,” said Quarterman, who thought the defense didn’t play up to expectations in the first two games. “We got back to the basics of what we are supposed to do and playing to the standard.”

This is what Miami has needed for years – a defense that can come into games and expose offenses. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, long noted as one of the best in the business, has fashioned an attacking scheme out of the 4-3 base defense which is aggressive from every position.

Junior safety Sheldrick Redwine had his biggest game of the young season in harassing the Blue Devils receivers and coming up fast to make stops at the line of scrimmage. Michael Young was huge in the secondary as well with three passes broken up.

Pinckney, who led Miami with 10 tackles, a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss, exemplified Miami’s aggressiveness when his first interception of the season proved the renewed aggressiveness of the unit. He ran to a tipped ball by corner Michael Jackson and picked off a Jones pass, which set up a late second quarter field goal and gave the Hurricanes a 17-3 lead.

“He made a great play on the ball,” said Pinckney. “I just hustled to the ball like we say every week.”

Pinckney also opened the game with a huge sack on Duke’s first drive. The Blue Devils had a fourth-and-one at the Miami 13 and dropped Jones back, but Pinckney blitzed through the middle and threw Jones for an 11- yard loss.

“When they got into the red zone, we found ways to force field goals and get turnovers when it really counted most,” said Richt.

Now as the Hurricanes, who have never played in the ACC Championship Game, look like the Coastal Division favorite. Tallahassee and the Florida State Seminoles await on Saturday. This is a different Miami team than the ACC has seen previously. It’s the fastest and most aggressive defense that they have fielded in the 13 seasons that they have been in the league.

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