This Saturday, at 12:00 p.m. ET, the 14th nationally ranked Miami Hurricanes (3-0), coming off a 45-10 dominating victory over Appalachian State two weeks ago, travel to Atlanta, Georgia to take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (3-1), led by ninth-year head coach Paul Johnson at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
In the dominating win against Appalachian State two weeks ago, Miami once again started the game off being led by their rushing attack, but for most of the game, they were led by their lethal passing attack. Hurricanes running back Mark Walton set the tone for the game on the first play from scrimmage by bursting through the line and galloping down the field for 80 yards and a touchdown. From that point, Miami controlled the game and led the rest of the way. Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya spoke about the run after the game.
"I saw him break a tackle and I almost immediately put my hands up like, `Touchdown.’ The red sea just parted and he just hit it.” Walton finished the game with 131 rushing yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns. Kaaya completed 21 of 27 passes for 368 yards and passed for three touchdowns. He also threw an interception. The wide receiver group was led by Stacy Coley, who had five receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns and Ahmmon Richards who had four receptions for 142 yards.
This the first inter-conference opponent that Miami has faced this season. This game is the first of the next nine games that they will face ACC opponents. Miami head coach Mark Richt spoke about the significance of this game.
"It’s the first conference game. It’s very crucial for us in that regard. Everybody in the Coastal is trying to win it, us being one of them. It’s very important to us for a lot of reasons, but that’s probably the most important reason."
While Miami’s offense has been very impressive so far, the Georgia Tech defense will not make it easy for Miami. Georgia Tech is just as athletic and are ranked 14th nationally in scoring defense. Defensively, Georgia Tech is led by safety Corey Griffin who has 25 total tackles and linebacker P.J. Davis who has 24 total tackles. Georgia Tech is also more battle-tested than Miami as they have played tough competition in Boston College, Vanderbilt and Clemson, nationally ranked 5th, already this year.
Last week, Georgia Tech was beaten by Clemson 26-7 for their first loss of the season. Georgia Tech uncharacteristically struggled offensively last week and had only 124 yards of total offense. It will be interesting to see how they respond from their first loss and the poor offensive performance. Offensively, Georgia Tech’s Triple-Threat offense is led by quarterback Justin Thomas, who has 364 yards passing and 144 yards rushing, and blocking back Dedrick Mills leads the team in rushing with 201 yards. These two players will be difficult for the Miami defense to stop.
The Georgia Tech offense will have to keep an eye on Miami defensive lineman Chad Thomas, who had nine tackles, a sack and a half and three tackles for a loss. Defensive back Corn Elder will also be a player Georgia Tech will need to pay attention to as last game he had seven tackles, one sack and one tackle for a loss. Miami defensive coordinator spoke about Elder’s performance against Appalachian State.
“Not in terms of PBUs and interceptions, they only threw the ball his way twice. But the way he tackled and set edges and just played great team defense as a corner. Things that a lot of corners don’t want to pride themselves on.” Diaz also added that Elder has “really played at a high level.”
In the series between these two teams, Georgia Tech leads it all-time 11-10. This game will be the toughest test Miami has faced so far this season. Georgia Tech’s offense presents many unique challenges and with Miami having a young defense and not very experienced for the most part; it will be interesting to see if Miami’s defense will continue to play at a high level, especially against an inter-conference opponent. Miami should be ready to prove to any naysayers that they are for real this season and that their record and statistics are not a byproduct of the competition they have faced so far this season. In the end, both teams are very talented, and it should be an exciting, fun game.
In the dominating win against Appalachian State two weeks ago, Miami once again started the game off being led by their rushing attack, but for most of the game, they were led by their lethal passing attack. Hurricanes running back Mark Walton set the tone for the game on the first play from scrimmage by bursting through the line and galloping down the field for 80 yards and a touchdown. From that point, Miami controlled the game and led the rest of the way. Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya spoke about the run after the game.
"I saw him break a tackle and I almost immediately put my hands up like, `Touchdown.’ The red sea just parted and he just hit it.” Walton finished the game with 131 rushing yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns. Kaaya completed 21 of 27 passes for 368 yards and passed for three touchdowns. He also threw an interception. The wide receiver group was led by Stacy Coley, who had five receptions for 85 yards and two touchdowns and Ahmmon Richards who had four receptions for 142 yards.
This the first inter-conference opponent that Miami has faced this season. This game is the first of the next nine games that they will face ACC opponents. Miami head coach Mark Richt spoke about the significance of this game.
"It’s the first conference game. It’s very crucial for us in that regard. Everybody in the Coastal is trying to win it, us being one of them. It’s very important to us for a lot of reasons, but that’s probably the most important reason."
While Miami’s offense has been very impressive so far, the Georgia Tech defense will not make it easy for Miami. Georgia Tech is just as athletic and are ranked 14th nationally in scoring defense. Defensively, Georgia Tech is led by safety Corey Griffin who has 25 total tackles and linebacker P.J. Davis who has 24 total tackles. Georgia Tech is also more battle-tested than Miami as they have played tough competition in Boston College, Vanderbilt and Clemson, nationally ranked 5th, already this year.
Last week, Georgia Tech was beaten by Clemson 26-7 for their first loss of the season. Georgia Tech uncharacteristically struggled offensively last week and had only 124 yards of total offense. It will be interesting to see how they respond from their first loss and the poor offensive performance. Offensively, Georgia Tech’s Triple-Threat offense is led by quarterback Justin Thomas, who has 364 yards passing and 144 yards rushing, and blocking back Dedrick Mills leads the team in rushing with 201 yards. These two players will be difficult for the Miami defense to stop.
The Georgia Tech offense will have to keep an eye on Miami defensive lineman Chad Thomas, who had nine tackles, a sack and a half and three tackles for a loss. Defensive back Corn Elder will also be a player Georgia Tech will need to pay attention to as last game he had seven tackles, one sack and one tackle for a loss. Miami defensive coordinator spoke about Elder’s performance against Appalachian State.
“Not in terms of PBUs and interceptions, they only threw the ball his way twice. But the way he tackled and set edges and just played great team defense as a corner. Things that a lot of corners don’t want to pride themselves on.” Diaz also added that Elder has “really played at a high level.”
In the series between these two teams, Georgia Tech leads it all-time 11-10. This game will be the toughest test Miami has faced so far this season. Georgia Tech’s offense presents many unique challenges and with Miami having a young defense and not very experienced for the most part; it will be interesting to see if Miami’s defense will continue to play at a high level, especially against an inter-conference opponent. Miami should be ready to prove to any naysayers that they are for real this season and that their record and statistics are not a byproduct of the competition they have faced so far this season. In the end, both teams are very talented, and it should be an exciting, fun game.