Miami defense stats today: Hurricanes' dominant unit frustrates Ole Miss' high-powered offense
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Miami defense stats today: Hurricanes' dominant unit frustrates Ole Miss' high-powered offense originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Ole Miss’ offense ran wild against Georgia twice this season, including in the Rebels’ Sugar Bowl upset of the Bulldogs, but Miami aimed to provide much stiffer resistance in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal.
With a national championship game bid on the line, that’s exactly what happened.
The Hurricanes held Trinidad Chambliss and the Ole Miss offense in check in the first half, with the exception of one big play, giving their own offense opportunities and taking a halftime lead as a result. While the Rebels found their footing in the second half, Miami's offense picked up the defense and secured a win.
Here’s a look at how Miami’s defense controlled the early portion of the Fiesta Bowl.
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Miami defense stats vs. Ole Miss
- Points allowed: 27
- Total yards: 398
- First downs: 23
- Third down stoppages: 8/10 (80%)
- Sacks: 1
Here's a look at how those numbers looked after the first half:
- Points allowed: 13
- Total yards: 145
- First downs: 6
- Third down stoppages: 5/5 (100%)
- Sacks: 1
Ole Miss scored 13 points in the first half, which coach Pete Golding had to be satisfied with, considering his team’s sluggishness on offense.
The Rebels went 0-for-5 on third down before halftime, and a 73-yard touchdown from Kewan Lacy accounted for more than half of their first-half yardage. While the touchdown was a backbreaker for Miami’s defense, the unit held firm against Trinidad Chambliss, who finished the half just 10-of-14 for 71 yards.
Miami finished the half with twice as many first downs as Ole Miss and dominated time of possession.
By the second half, Chambliss and Ole Miss figured it out. The Rebels had 19 first downs compared to six before halftime, and they racked up more than 250 yards. It still wasn't enough for a win, but it would have been if their defense was able to get Miami's offense off the field on the Hurricanes' final drive.
Trinidad Chambliss stats vs Miami
- Comp. rate: 62.2% (23/37)
- Pass yards: 277
- Pass TD: 1
- INT: 0
- Rush att.: 5
- Rush yards: 7
- Rush TD: 0
Chambliss was held in check early on in the Fiesta Bowl, throwing for only 71 yards without a touchdown pass. He was sacked once and rendered ineffective on the ground.
While Chambliss didn't commit a turnover, he was nearly intercepted on a pass late in the second quarter that bounced right off the hands of a defender, and two more potential interceptions were dropped in the second half.
Still, Chambliss lit up Miami in the fourth quarter, leading two go-ahead drives and throwing for 206 yards in the second half. With the Hurricanes getting the last laugh, it still wasn't enough for a win.
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Miami defensive rankings
Here is where Miami's defense ranked among all FBS teams, on a per game basis unless stated otherwise:
- Points: 4th
- Total yards: 10th
- Pass yards: 40th
- Rush yards: 5th
- Yards per play: 10th
- Total turnovers: 9th
- Sacks: 3rd
The Hurricanes' defense entered the Fiesta Bowl ranked top-10 nationally in points, yards, yards per play, turnovers and sacks. While Miami's pass defense ranked much lower than its run defense, the Hurricanes' ability to pressure Chambliss prevented Ole Miss' passing game from doing much of anything early in Thursday's game.
Who are Miami's key defensive players?
- EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
- EDGE Akheem Mesidor
- DB Keionte Scott
- LB Mohamed Toure
- S Jakobe Thomas
Miami boasts a fierce pass-rush, as Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. have combined for 19 sacks on the season. Bain projects as a potential top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
In the secondary, safety Jakobe Thomas has five interceptions while do-it-all DB Keionte Scott has 13 tackles for loss to go along with two interceptions.
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