The Louisville Cardinals upset the Miami Hurricanes 24-21 in mid-October at Hard Rock Stadium. 66K fans watched Jeff Brohm’s offense pick Corey Hetherman’s defense apart while Carson Beck imploded on national TV. By the final whistle Beck had throw four INT’s, the ‘Canes rushed for only 2.6 yards per carry, and Isaac Brown rushed for 7.5 yards per carry- but did have his weekly fumble.
We’ll look at what happened to Beck and the offense later, today is a focus on the Miami defense against Miller Moss,
who threw two TD’s and 10 near INT’s, and Miami Dolphins WR Chris Bell who caught both scores on 15.1 yards per catch.
Above– I broke down a huge run against the Miami defense from Louisville on a key 3rd and long. Brohm saw Lightfoot as the only run-side DL and went right at him. He got Mesidor and Bain away and Toure to the field with Scott trapped in man coverage. Perfect play call against the perfect look.
Above– I’ve been giving Moten some much deserved (IMO) hype this spring and I’m ready to see the big guy turn himself into a 1st round pick in ‘26. He’s not fooled at all by the screen here as he retraces and finishes the play.
Above– This is NOT how I was taught to defend a 1-high look with no LB help in the hook-curl. With the help blitzing the CB is on an island there. He has to take away the easy throws (slant, glance, fin) and force the harder throws (fade). Instead it’s an easy catch for the Cardinals.
Above- Miami has a lot of teaching to do when it comes to Poyser, Frederique, Lucas, and Fitzgerald. The DB’s were not exactly a plus in the tackling department outside of K. Scott.
Above– It’s not a pick if two defenders pick themselves without the offensive player even making contact. Brohm catches Miami in man again and runs an arrow with the shallow cross. The LB, 41, picks the CB and the rest is history. Beautiful cat and mouse chess match between OC and DC.
Above– I see Bain is in a harness for his shoulder, I do, but if you’re in you’re 100% in. Here he goes wide with the motion and when the kick out trapper comes he steps outside to avoid contact. That’s just what a pulling OL wants. You doing his job for him. Bain blocks himself and it’s another big play for the Cards.
Above– Sometimes star players have to be decoys. This happens in basketball to get open shots, this happens in hockey for one timers, this happens in pass rush when you use Bain to pick the OT/TE in a 2for1 deal and Scott slips underneath for a sack.
Above– Brohm is doing everything in his power to get these DB’s, who fail to rotate down to the run game, in a bind. Thomas and Posyer are minus tacklers and Frederique is a true Deion Sanders cover guy, ie a speed bump at best when you run by with very good coverage skills.
Above– Bissainthe had to walk away from this one sore and bruised. The OL were all over him. He was just put in that situation and the DB’s weren’t filling the alley for him. Poyser is playing scared at this point and the Cards are taking advantage of the Miami DB’s. Plenty of swing passes as well just to force them to play in space.
Above– Brohm forces a switch and any time you can get Toure on an NFL caliber WR you’re in good shape as an offense. I thought Toure improved as the year went on at pass coverage but he was still rough here.
Above– And last but not least Mr. Scott with yet another big play. Miami couldn’t win the game but it wasn’t from a lack of Scott trying his butt off. Some guys just have a nose for the ball.
The Wrap
This was a tough re-watch for me in my quest to see all of the ‘Canes games from 2025 in All-22. Miami had plays in their hands (literally, like a half dozen interceptions) and let them slip away. When watching it back Rueben Bain and Mesidor had off nights. Scott made plays but his role as a NB in man coverage hurt his playmaking ‘wildcard’ ability. The LB’ers were swallowed up and the DB’s couldn’t tackle or stop Bell.
Miami clearly learned a lot from that game and had turn around performances against OSU, Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Indiana.
