Miami Hurricanes OC Explains Where The Offense Failed Last Season And What Needs Fixing
The Miami Hurricanes went 7-6 last year despite drastic improvements in most areas of their offense.
The Hurricanes had a plus-120 point differential compared to minus-34 from their 5-7 season in 2022. From '22 to 23, the Hurricanes jumped from 99th in the country in yards per play all the way to 22nd. Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson said that's the biggest jump he's seen from one year to the next in any program he's coached.
So, why didn't Miami win more than they did last year? Dawson reflected after the Hurricanes second spring practice on the areas the Hurricanes failed in 2023.
"Turnovers were glaring," Dawson said. "Not only were they glaring, but they were glaring when they happened. The two situations we didn't get better in, where it stayed the same or went down a couple notches, were turnovers and red zone offense. They go together. When you look at the red zone offense, we got down there about top 35 in the nation, but we turned it over seven times down there. Two of those at the one yard line."
Dawson noted that the teams who were top ten in the country did not turn the ball over when they got there.
"What that does is, it takes points off the scoreboard. Not only does it crush your morale and all the rest, it takes points off the scoreboard. Ultimately, we've got to do a better job protecting the football."
Miami quarterbacks combined to throw 14 interceptions last season, with former starter Tyler Van Dyke responsible for 12 of those. Miami hopes for more efficiency this season with Cam Ward behind center. The Hurricanes lost 8 fumbles. They finished minus-4 in turnover margin. Not good enough. No matter how well you move the football, sabotaging yourselves in the red zone and with overall turnovers is a recipe for a 7-6 season.
With 19 turnovers lost last season, Miami ranked 94th in the nation.
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