Miami’s offense is off to a historically slow start in CFP title game
By David Wasson
Published:
The first quarter of the College Football Playoff national championship was a defensive affair, with the Indiana Hoosiers and Miami Hurricanes combining for just three points at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Miami’s offense was even slower out of the gate than Indiana’s, as the Hurricanes totaled just 18 yards and one first down. The yardage total was the fewest in a CFP national championship game first quarter, and the lone first down was the fewest in a CFP national championship game first quarter since Notre Dame in 2013. That’s according to ESPN Insights:
Miami quarterback Carson Beck completed just 2-of-6 passes in the first 15 minutes for nine yards. And the Hurricanes rushing game totaled just nine yards on five carries. All three Miami drives in the quarter ended in punts. Dylan Joyce averaged 48 yards per punt in the quarter.
Indiana fared better, gaining 82 yards in the first quarter – 55 of which coming on the game’s lone scoring drive that was capped by a 34-yard Nicolas Radicic field goal.
Miami entered Monday’s CFP title game ranked 40th in the nation in total offense, piling up 409.2 yards per game. Indiana ranked fourth in the country in total defense, allowing only 260.9 yards per outing.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
