It’s safe to say no Miami Hurricanes team has fallen this far this fast.
Three weeks ago, the Canes were unbeaten and ranked No. 7 in the nation. After three losses in which they allowed 40 or more points — a program first — the Hurricanes on Sunday fell out of the Associated Press Top 25 in addition to the USA Today coaches poll and BCS rankings.
According to the AP, it’s the first time since 1968 a UM team has gone from top 10 in the AP poll to unranked in the same season. No UM team had been ranked as high as seventh before dropping out. A ranked UM team hadn’t lost three in a row since 1999.
Duke, which beat Miami 48-30 on Saturday, was happy to take Miami’s spot. The Blue Devils entered at No. 25, their first ranking since Dec. 6, 1994.
On Sunday, UM coach Al Golden said it’s up to him to stop the slide.
“I’m not going to sit here and make excuses,” he said. “It wasn’t good enough the other night.”
Miami’s defense, more than anything, hasn’t been good enough.
It hasn’t been good at all.
UM has allowed 1,609 yards in its last three games and has surrendered 500 or more yards in four of its last five games. It also allowed 500-plus four times last year, when it finished 120th in total defense. The Hurricanes have dropped to 66th in the nation in total defense (400.5).
In conference games, Miami is allowing 478.5 yards per game and 6.27 yards per play, the worst marks in the ACC. The Canes are third worst in points allowed per game (34.2).
Golden said his players’ execution was lacking against Duke, but their preparation was not. He reiterated his support for defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio, though a loud group of UM fans have called for D’Onofrio to be removed.
“I really don’t pay any attention to it,” Golden said. “I know Mark is working his tail off to get it fixed. I know the defensive staff is working their tails off to get it fixed.”
A reporter asked Golden if he was satisfied with his team’s defensive performance.
“No,” he replied. “You know I’m not. Nobody is. The players aren’t, either.”
“We’re constantly changing, we’re constantly evaluating, we’re constantly evolving and we’re trying to do things that we feel puts our players in the best position to be successful this Saturday. That’s all that matters.
“That is the same as it was when we were 7-0. That hasn’t changed. Perception may have changed, but our approach to it hasn’t changed. As I was saying at that point, we’re not back. We have a long way to go. We’re building, and we’re going to continue to build and fight through this.”
Noteworthy: Golden said wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, who missed the last three games with a partially torn MCL, should be able to return against Virginia (noon Saturday, ESPNU). He also updated the statuses of four players who missed all or most of the second half against Duke with injuries: receiver Stacy Coley (suspected concussion) should be well for Virginia. Golden classified cornerbacks Artie Burns (ankle) and Corn Elder (shoulder) as "day to day" and receiver Herb Waters (groin) as "wait and see." … Recruiting website 247Sports.com reported three-star junior college defensive tackle Dalvon Stuckey, who had given a verbal commitment to Miami, is now considering Auburn instead.
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