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Florida football: Know your enemy – Miami Hurricanes

By Nick Knudsen

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 24: The Miami Hurricanes take the field prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FL - NOVEMBER 24: The Miami Hurricanes take the field prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Hard Rock Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Defensive Breakdown

"Returning starters (at least five starts): LB Shaquille Quarterman, Sr., 39 career starts LB Michael Pinckney, Sr., 36 career starts LB Zach McCloud, Sr., 31 career starts DB Trajan Bandy, Jr., 16 career starts DL Jonathan Garvin, Jr., 13 career starts"

Defensive Line

Defensive end Jonathan Garvin found himself on multiple preseason watch lists: Bednarik Award (defensive player of the year), Bronko Nagurski (top defensive player); Walter Camp POY (nation’s most outstanding player). The junior from Lake Worth, FL, racked up 60 tackles, including 17 tackles-for-loss and 5.5 sacks.

6’6″ Scott Patchan will line up opposite of Garvin. Virginia Tech transfer, redshirt senior Trevon Hill, will sub in for Patchan.

UCLA transfer Chigozie Nnoruka backs up junior Jonathan Ford at defensive tackle and senior Pat Bethel holds the starting spot at the other defensive tackle spot.

The defensive front has been a strength for Miami during Diaz’s tenure and should provide a tough challenge to Florida’s offensive line.

BLACKSBURG, VA – NOVEMBER 17: Linebacker Shaquille Quarterman #55 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates his interception against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Lane Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images)
BLACKSBURG, VA – NOVEMBER 17: Linebacker Shaquille Quarterman #55 of the Miami Hurricanes celebrates his interception against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first half at Lane Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Blacksburg, Virginia. (Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images) /

Linebackers

The heart of the Miami defense is its linebacking core.

Each starter is a senior with over 30 career starts to his name. Each has been listed on national preseason watch lists:

  • WLB Zach McCloud, Wuerffel Trophy
  • WLB Michael Pinckney, Butkus Award; Preseason All-ACC conference honors
  • MLB Shaquille Quarterman, Bednarik Award; Butkus Award; Bronko Nagurski; Preseason All-ACC conference honors;  Preseason All-America (second team – The Sporting News)

Senior striker Romeo Finley is expected to see significant playing time as well.

Expect this group along with a strong defensive line to clog the box all night and put the game into the hands of Florida football QB Feleipe Franks and the passing game.

Defensive Backs

Junior DB Trajan Bandy brings experience to a young defensive backfield.

The Thorpe Award candidate is the only returning starter from a group that surrendered the fewest passing yards per game of any team in FBS last season (135.6 yards per game).

Bandy wore the turnover chain more than any other defender in 2018, recording three interceptions in 13 starts.

Safeties junior Amari Carter and sophomore Gurvan Hall will start deep for the Canes while the opposite corner position will be filled by both Al Blades, Jr. and D.J. Ivey. USC transfer Bubba Bolden has talent but is currently listed as Hall’s backup for the first game.

Freshman corners Te’Cory Couch and Christian Williams are expected to play against the Gators on Saturday night.

Florida’s experience at wide receiver should create a matchup advantage for the Gators. If Franks can feed the wideouts, Florida has a chance to put up big points against an inexperienced secondary.

Special Teams

The Hurricanes easily have one of the more interesting kicker-punter combos in college football.

Kicker Bubba Baxa returns for his sophomore campaign after going 9-12 on field goals, including 6-6 from 30-39 yards. The longest he hit from was 47 yards.

Miami will feature the scariest punter in America, Australian Lou Hedley.

The 6’4″ punter is built like a defensive lineman, wears The Rock’s old number, and it’s safe to say that we all would like to see Florida WR Freddie Swain force Hedley into a few attempted tackles on Saturday.

https://twitter.com/scott_patchan/status/1148687178312159234

Next. Florida football injury report vs. Miami. dark

WR Jeff Thomas will serve as a dangerous return man on both punts and kickoffs.

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