Game Preview 2012: Miami


Helmet logos courtesy of The Helmet Project

Fan Essentials

Game Nuggets

  • This is the 10th meeting between these two programs. Miami holds a 5-4 lead, but Virginia has won the last two meetings and four of the last six. That includes UVa’s historic win in 2007. This Saturday’s game marks the five-year anniversary of that 48-0 victory over the Hurricanes in the final game at the Orange Bowl, Miami’s home for 70 years. That game is the biggest shutout loss for the Hurricanes’ in the venue’s history
  • Miami head coach Al Golden was an assistant coach and defensive coordinator at the University of Virginia from 2001-05. Miami assistant head coach Mark D’Onofrio was a UVa assistant coach from 2004-05.
  • Three Cavaliers are from the state of Florida: Pablo Alvarez (Coral Gables), Demeitre Brim (Dundee) and Paul Freedman (Belleair Beach).
  • Virginia’s defense has improved in recent weeks after being vulnerable to big scoring plays earlier in the season. The Hoos will be tested in that regard this week. For the season, 17 of Miami’s 38 scoring drives have needed less than two minutes. Of those 17 two-minute scoring drives, 13 have come in ACC play.
  • Miami is +5 in turnover margin for the season and the Hurricanes’ +0.56 average turnover margin per game ranks fourth in the ACC. Miami’s 18 turnovers gained doubles UVa’s 9 turnovers gained on the season.

Storyline

Steve Greer and the defense led the way last week against NC State.

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