The Miami Hurricanes, currently ranked No. 8, are focusing heavily on tackling this week after a challenging performance against Virginia Tech. Despite securing a close victory, the Hurricanes struggled defensively, with missed tackles allowing the Hokies to score on multiple drives. It’s an issue the team is determined to fix moving forward.
Senior linebacker Francisco Mauigoa emphasized that the team is fully aware of the need to improve their tackling, noting that it has been a major point of focus during practice. “We’ve been emphasizing tackling,” Mauigoa stated. “Every day before practice and at the end of the day, we work on fundamentals and techniques to make sure we’re in the right position to make tackles. We don’t want to repeat the same mistakes we made last week.”
The Hurricanes went into the game against Virginia Tech having recorded just 22 missed tackles through the season. However, by the end of the game, that number had doubled, underscoring how much the defense struggled to contain the Hokies’ offense. This lapse in defensive execution resulted in Miami allowing over 200 rushing yards—a stark contrast to the less than 70 yards they typically allow on the ground.
Despite this setback, Miami’s defense still ranks 15th in total defense nationally. The unit has shown strong potential, but the team recognizes they need to tighten up on their tackling if they want to ascend to the upper echelon of defensive units in college football. Mauigoa and his teammates are confident that they can rise to the challenge, knowing there’s still room for improvement.
“I think there’s still more room to improve,” Mauigoa said. “There are a lot of little details we need to lock into. I think there’s always another level to our game. The defense has done a tremendous job, but we have a standard, and there’s always another level to reach.”
The Hurricanes have been a formidable defensive force for much of the season, but their recent struggles against Virginia Tech have highlighted the importance of getting back to basics. Tackling is one of the most fundamental aspects of the game, and the coaching staff is ensuring that this area gets the attention it needs. As they continue to work on perfecting their technique, the Hurricanes are aiming to limit future mistakes and further solidify their place among the nation’s top defenses.
With the upcoming games on the horizon, the Hurricanes are eager to prove that their defensive lapses were just a blip on the radar. If Miami can improve their tackling and maintain their overall defensive strength, they’ll be in prime position to make a serious push for the postseason.
