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Defense Has Work To Do

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A Tribune staff, wire report

Published: October 6, 2008

MIAMI - A bye week is just what Mickey Andrews and his Florida State defense need. And it's not just the opportunity to heal from five weeks of pounding.

The extra time will give the veteran defensive coordinator a chance to address the breakdowns and missed tackles that nearly caught up with the Seminoles on Saturday.

"We were our own worst enemy tonight," Andrews said after FSU's 41-39 victory against Miami. "We gave them too many opportunities after we had them stopped - third down, fourth down - in penalties."

Third-down penalties kept alive one third-quarter drive for Miami that resulted in a score - a field goal that made it 31-13 in favor of FSU. A pass-interference call on fourth down led to Miami's final touchdown.

But it was more than just penalties.

"We got fooled on a couple of plays,"Andrews said. "We had some breakdowns."

Miami started in FSU territory four times, and that didn't help. The Canes were held to 256 yards, and 51 on the ground.

"It's not about yards, it's about points," Andrews said. "We were disappointed in the number of points we gave up as a team."

UM's McCARTHY OUT: Miami LB Colin McCarthy (Clearwater Central Catholic) will miss the rest of the season because of a shoulder injury.

Miami coach Randy Shannon said Sunday that McCarthy suffered the injury in practice last week.

McCarthy did not play Saturday. Before the injury, McCarthy was the Hurricanes' third-leading tackler this season.

Steve Ellis, Tribune wires

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