Miami vs. Nebraska: What the 'Canes Must Do to Shut Down Ameer Abdullah

The Miami Hurricanes defense has noticeably improved in 2014, but the nation's 15th-ranked run-stopping unit will be tested by Nebraska superstar Ameer Abdullah.

Since the beginning of last season, the running back has posted 13 100-yard performances and scored 15 total touchdowns. Overall, the senior has compiled an impressive 6.2 yards per carry since the Cornhuskers beat Wyoming in August 2013.

According to SI.com, Florida Atlantic coach Charlie Partridge had high praise for Nebraska's star back. "He's got all three: power, make-you-miss ability and speed. All at an extremely high level. He's a great player," he said.

Two weeks ago, McNeese State of the Football Championship Subdivision surprisingly contained Abdullah to a mere 54 yards on 17 rushes. His 3.2 yards per attempt marked the worst average since his freshman season, three long years ago.

It's possible to stop Abdullah, especially considering the 'Canes are a more powerful overall defense than McNeese State's—bigger, faster, stronger.

But collective physicality is far from the deciding factor of victories. Miami needs to stay disciplined more than ever because its defense cannot lock in solely on him. Keeping both Abdullah and quarterback Tommy Armstrong in check will be an enormous challenge.

Completely focusing on Abdullah leads to mental lapses and allows Armstrong to break off huge runs, so there needs to be a proper balance, with the emphasis certainly on the former.

While the Hurricanes have a decent unit of defensive linemen, Denzel Perryman and Thurston Armbrister face a major task on Sept. 20 at 8 p.m. ET.

As a team, Miami has already tallied 21 tackles for loss. Ten players have earned a spot in that category, where Perryman and Armbrister pace the unit with 4.0 each, while Ufomba Kamalu has 3.0 and edge-rusher Tyriq McCord has 2.5.

Now, the 'Canes must prove whether or not those superb numbers mean anything against the country's ninth-best rushing attack.

Study the Blueprint, Make It Better

McNeese State did an excellent job of defending the speed option, not ceding a long gain to either player. The Cowboys took the risk and unleashed a safety toward the running back. It definitely worked, since Abdullah was tackled for a loss five times on a mere 17 carries.

But the game plan, though outstanding in its own right, was not perfect.

Armstrong broke loose three times for a combined 98 yards, and each time was via the read-option. Abdullah managed one run for more than 15 yards, which happened on the second possession of the day and was off, you guessed it, a read.

Credit: WatchESPN

In the picture above, there is an open lane to attack between the defensive end and the man guarding Nebraska's slot receiver. All it would take is one slip-up by the McNeese State defensive end for Abdullah to waltz untouched into the second level.

And he made that one mistake.

Junior right tackle Zach Sterup capitalized on the aggressiveness of the Cowboys defensive end and buried him into the wash, leaving no opposition to Abdullah's run:

Credit: WatchESPN

He easily eluded three tacklers at the second level and scampered for 19 yards, his longest run of the day. Had the end stayed home, Abdullah would have a running lane between the center and guard, but a linebacker was filling that gap.

The best way to counteract that play is sealing the edges and not getting overzealous, and the Cowboys calmed down later in the quarter.

On a comparable call, the McNeese State defenders—from the trenches to the secondary—executed perfectly this time:

Credit: WatchESPN

Armstrong's running lane was closed, and a McNeese lineman disrupted the backfield, forcing Abdullah outside. This time, the weak-side end rightfully stayed on his edge, giving his teammates sufficient time to track down the Nebraska back near the sideline for a three-yard loss.

Credit: WatchESPN

McNeese State sealed the gaps, pushed Abdullah away from his blockers and didn't allow him back to the line of scrimmage.

Plus, Armstrong had nowhere to go.

It's a total team effort, not an individualistic approach. That's the only way the Hurricanes can stop Abdullah. Otherwise, the Cornhuskers will run Miami right out of Lincoln, and the senior running back will be the one leading the charge.

One mistake, and the only thing stopping Abdullah could be the end zone.

Statistics courtesy of cfbstats.com.

Follow Bleacher Report college football writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.