After earning its first win against an FBS opponent last week, the Virginia football team faces No. 22 Miami tomorrow as it hopes to even its overall record and gain headway in the ACC standings.
The Hurricanes (5-2, 3-1 ACC) have played exceptionally well in the ACC, losing only to Florida State, the top-ranked school in the Atlantic Division. Miami currently sits at second in the Coastal Division behind Virginia Tech.
Led by junior quarterback Jacory Harris, the Hurricanes are averaging 339 yards per game. But Harris has struggled with accuracy this year, completing only 54 percent of his passes while throwing 10 interceptions. Still, Harris is a playmaker and has thrown for 1,561 yards and 14 touchdowns on the year.
"[He's] a guy that's not scared to throw it up there," junior cornerback Chase Minnifield said. "It's going to be a good challenge for us as a defense and as a secondary."
Miami's offense will provide a challenge to the Cavalier defense as Virginia currently ranks 114th in the FBS against the run. The Cavaliers, however, rank second in the ACC in pass defense and should be able to force turnovers against Harris.
On the offensive end of the ball, the Cavaliers will face a tough Hurricane defense that has held its opponents to only 18 points per game on average. Senior quarterback Marc Verica has continued improving throughout the season, throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions against Eastern Michigan last week. Senior running back Keith Payne has taken charge as Virginia's leading rusher, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, and has accumulated 10 touchdowns for the season. Of Miami's 13 touchdowns allowed this season, 10 of them have come on the ground.
"We have to be creative in moving the ball around, doing things up front to stop the run, just play as many people as we can," Virginia coach Mike London said. "We're going to need luck and good bounces. We're going to need a lot of things in our favor to help us."
The game is scheduled to begin at noon at Scott Stadium.
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