By Carlos Pineda
SouthernPigskin.com

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Judging by what we’ve seen the last two games, the Hurricanes have turned the corner at just the right time with Florida State coming up on Nov. 15.

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. x94 Miami’s dominating 47-20 win over North Carolina on Saturday proved that last Thursday’s surprisingly commanding win at Virginia Tech (30-6) was no fluke. The Hurricanes improved to 6-3 overall and became bowl eligible, but most importantly stand at 3-2 in the ACC to stay within reach of first-place, one-loss Duke x94 which defeated Pitt in double overtime. Miami continued its offensive assault, led by Duke Johnson, who had 226 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns x94 including a 90-yard score late in the second quarter. The Hurricane defense practically shut down the Tar Heel offense, allowing 112 total yards after three quarters. Former Hurricane great and Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly served as an honorary captain for the themed “Kelly Tough” game.

1. Johnson followed up a career performance last week (29 rushes for a career-high 249 yards) with another record-breaking outing. He rushed for 177 yards on 19 carries, 172 of which came by halftime. In doing so, he eclipsed the 3,000 career rushing yard mark and notched his fifth straight 100-yard rushing game. Johnson moved past James Jackson and Edgerrin James for second on in career rushing yards at UM.

2. Miami’s run-game has had huge success during its three-game win streak. In that span, the Hurricanes have rushed for at least 295 yards and have had at least two backs rush for over 100 yards. Joe Yearby had 104 yards and a touchdown against UNC. Against Virginia Tech and North Carolina, the Hurricanes won the time of possession battle by running the ball over 45 times each. Winning the time of possession has helped the defense significantly. Miami converted a combined 13-of-28 third down attempts in those two games, nearly 50 percent. Earlier in the season, UM ranked near the bottom nationally on third down attempts. This has helped the defense stay off the field.

3. Much of the criticism in the past few years of the Al Golden era has come on the defensive side of the ball, and directed at coordinator Mark DOnofrio. This season, both Nebraska and Georgia Tech gashed the Hurricanes for a combined 827 total yards (661 rushing yards), but judging from what Miami has accomplished against Virginia Tech and North Carolina, the defense is on the up. UM held the Hokies to only 262 total yards, and the Tar Heels to 258, most of which came against Miami’s reserves in the fourth quarter. The Hurricane defense has played with determination and some attitude as of late. Everything clicked against UNC. Miami forced two turnovers and sacked quarterback Marquise Williams a season-high six times. The Hurricanes, who had a 30-6 halftime lead, held North Carolina to 57 total yards at the break and six rushing yards in the game.

4. Judging by what we’ve seen the last two games, the Hurricanes have turned the corner at just the right time with Florida State coming up on Nov. 15. The offense has really turned it up a notch, but the defense has played a different brand of football that makes this team exceptionally good. This is a different squad than we saw at Georgia Tech back in early October. The Hurricanes are the hottest team in the ACC right now, which speaks volumes considering their struggles early in the year.

5. The Tar Heels had no answer for Miami. Despite getting what could’ve been a momentum-shifting fumble recovery for a touchdown early in the second quarter, North Carolina witnessed a 9-6 deficit escalate to 44-6 midway through the third quarter. Williams was pressured most of the game as he completed 22-of-32 passes for 191 yards. This was only the second game of the season where he failed to throw a touchdown pass. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that Williams completed his longest pass of the game, a 43-yard throw that gave UNC its first possession inside the Miami 30.