<body><div><p>Our five takeaways from Miami's defensive performance in a dominant win over Florida</p><p>Miami returned defensive coordinator Lance Guidry after multiple statistical improvements in 2023.</p><p>That continuity on defense showed as the Hurricanes played fast and free on that side of the ball, helping pave the way for a 41-17 win over in-state rival Florida in the season opener.</p><p>After allowing just 261yards of total offense on Saturday afternoon, we have five takeaways from the performance.</p><p>Read on for them:</p><h2>Tackling was on-point for a Week One game</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4VwtZR_0vGvEpJw00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4VwtZR_0vGvEpJw00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: 247Sports)</figcaption></figure><p>That's always a concern with very few opportunities to bring to the ground in camp, but Miami's defense did a great job of getting guys to the ground after initial contact.</p><p>Miami generated a ton of havoc and when they had opportunities to make plays, they were made. For a Week One game in a major environment, it's clear that Lance Guidry's unit came with the right mentality. Tackling well, especially early in the season, is a mindset and a part of a team's identity, and it's clear that Guidry's unit was ready.</p><h2>The secondary answers the call in coverage</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=35CfaF_0vGvEpJw00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=35CfaF_0vGvEpJw00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: 247Sports)</figcaption></figure><p>Early in the game, <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Graham-Mertz-46038869">Graham Mertz</a> and the Florida offense tested Miami's secondary. <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Damari-Brown-46103923">Damari Brown</a> was stride-for-stride with highly productive veteran wide receiver Elijah Badger, who totaled 1500 yards over the last two seasons at Arizona State. On a second quarter deep-post, <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Jadais-Richard-46094011">Jadais Richard</a> has solid coverage on an uncompleted pass to Badger.</p><p>In the red zone, safety <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Markeith-Williams-46098654">Markeith Williams</a> draped Florida tight end <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Arlis-Boardingham-46081164">Arlis Boardingham</a> on third down, forcing a field goal on the heels of an interception that gave the Gators a short field.</p><p>Both of Miami's safeties, <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Mishael-Powell-46049031">Meesh Powell</a> and <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Jaden-Harris-46103581">Jaden Harris</a>, each came down with interceptions in their first game as a starting duo.</p><p>The Gators had less than 100 passing yards through three quarters of the game. An area where it seemed like Florida had an advantage ended up being a major matchup win for the Hurricanes.</p><h2>Miami's defense flashes clutch gene</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0wDTvf_0vGvEpJw00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0wDTvf_0vGvEpJw00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: 247Sports)</figcaption></figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3NN5xp_0vGvEpJw00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3NN5xp_0vGvEpJw00" width="620" height="320" ><p>A defense's ability to get off the field on late downs and limit points in the red zone are some of the most defining traits of a unit. In the first half, Miami forced three Florida punts, and stuffed a key fourth down attempt by the Gators offense, which in turn led to a touchdown drive by the offense to get ahead two touchdowns.</p><p>To open the second half after an opening touchdown drive, the Hurricanes generated another punt on a third and long sack from safety <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Jaden-Harris-46103581">Jaden Harris</a><b>.</b> The Hurricanes went on to intercept a pass thrown to the goal line and forced another punt to open the second half before putting in the reserve players.</p><p>The Hurricanes showed that they can play not only good defense but timely defense.</p><p>For the game, Florida was 1-9 on third down.</p><h2>Miami's disruptive defensive line was on display, even without star Rueben Bain</h2><p>The Hurricanes quickly lost their star defensive lineman, but Miami's loaded unit more than held its own. <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Elijah-Alston-46079209">Elijah Alston</a> and <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Tyler-Baron-46036850">Tyler Baron</a> were impressive off of the edge, while Lance Guidry used exotic fronts to generate plenty of disruption and pressure for Florida quarterback Graham Mertz, which made a big impact in the game.</p><p>Baron in particular proved that he is on track to being an NFL Draft pick. A Baron pressure led to that Powell interception, and he also totaled a sack and a pair of tackles for loss.</p><p>A <a href="https://247sports.com/Player/Simeon-Barrow-Jr-46080670">Simeon Barrow</a> pressure late in the game made way for an interception in freshman quarterback DJ Lagaway's debut.</p><p>As a unit, Miami's defensive line was responsible for 1.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss.</p><h2>Miami played strong run defense</h2><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=0EZUMf_0vGvEpJw00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=0EZUMf_0vGvEpJw00" width="620" height="320" ><figcaption>(Photo: Getty)</figcaption></figure><p>Outside of an explosive 71-yard touchdown run, Miami's run defense did an incredible job of erasing Florida's run game.</p><p>Well into the fourth quarter, with Miami already having a strong command of the game, the Gators had less than 100 yards on the ground for the game. In meaningful minutes, Miami held Florida to 20 carries for 28 yards outside of the 71-yard touchdown run. That's 0.7 yards per carry.</p><p>For the game, Florida totaled 139 rushing yards.</p><p>Stopping the run game was key to Miami being able to control the line of scrimmage and get the ball back to the explosive and efficient Hurricanes offense.</p></div></body>

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Five takeaways on Miami's defense in 41-17 win over Florida

Our five takeaways from Miami's defensive performance in a dominant win over Florida. Miami returned defensive coordinator Lance Guidry after multiple statistical improvements in 2023. That continuity on defense showed as the Hurricanes played fast and free on that side of the ball, helping pave the way for a 41-17...

Five takeaways on Miami's defense in 41-17 win over Florida

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