Miami Hurricanes Football Upping their Effort and Physicality

Over the last two games, something has clicked for the Miami Hurricanes.

A light bulb has gone on.

Confidence is high.

And the result has been a pair of convincing and dominant victories over ACC Coastal Division opponents Virginia Tech and UNC.

Some statistics to ponder,

In those two games, the 'Canes are averaging 329.5 yards rushing to just 63 for their opponents.  They are right at 35 minutes a game time of possession,  and held the Hokies and Heels to a combined 8-27 on third downs.

But something else, beyond just "getting it" has gone on too.

The effort plays and the physical nature of the team are at an all time high during the Golden Era.

UM defenders are swarming to the ball.  Lead blockers are pancaking opponents. Guys are playing every play like it's their last.

The energy of the team is palpable.

Need evidence?   Take a look below.

Here, FB Walter Tucker destroys the UNC defensive end while the left side of Miami's offensive line led by Jon Feliciano pushes the Tar Heels defense 3 yards deep into the end zone.

Next, we see Phillip Dorsett laying the wood on a UNC safety 15 yards down field, springing Johnson loose for a 90 yard TD.

In our third example we see Clive Walford going full extension to haul in a 2nd quarter TD.

All three plays resulted in TDs,  but these were just a few example of Miami playing at another level in hustle and brute force.

For instance.....

Duke putting in a big time effort is never a shock,  but he too appears to have taken it up a notch, even on plays where the ball is not in his hands.

I hate seeing the UNC player go down, but Duke Johnson running 20+ yards down field to throw a block.. wow

— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) November 1, 2014

Other examples that just missed the list.....

• Deon Bush's all out effort on a diving interception in the second quarter.

• Every single play that Denzel Perryman (10 tackles, 1 sack, 1 TFL) was a part of.

• Tyriq McCord's burst on the blindside of UNC QB Marquise Williams as he delivered a big time sack in the second half.
  

• The two perfectly executed corner blitzes that resulted in sacks for Corn Elder and Artie Burns.
  

• Antonio Crawford annihilation of a Tar Heel RB on a swing pass in the first quarter.

Bottom line folks, if the Hurricanes keep playing with the effort and physicality they have shown the past two weeks, the are going to be a handful for everyone on their schedule.

Including that team from Tallahassee.