Miami Football: 3 takeaways from upset victory over Virginia

3. The defense stood tall for Miami

The Friday night showdown between Miami and Virginia turned quickly into a defensive affair, as the Hurricanes leaned on that unit to prevail against the visiting Cavaliers. While Virginia managed to compile 329 total yards of offense, all they had to show for it was a quartet of field goal attempts. One was blocked, another was struck true, the third pinged off the upright and through for three points, and the fourth pulled Virginia within a point midway through the fourth quarter.

Perkins was able to throw the ball against the Hurricanes, finishing 24-of-39 for 244 yards. But the quarterback found it difficult to keep the momentum going the closer the Cavaliers got to the goal line. In the end, all his production proved ineffective against a defense that teed off on Perkins early and often. In addition to getting sacked four times, Perkins was also hit several other times right after he released the football.

While the secondary failed to intercept any of Perkins’ passes, the Turnover Chain still came out in the second half when Jonathan Ford forced a third-quarter fumble by running back Mike Hollins and Trajan Bandy scooped up the loose football.

For all of their ability to move the football, Virginia found out on Friday night that the Miami defense was willing to bend but wasn’t about to break.