Game Eleven: Virginia Tech 44, Miami 14

Another Saturday, another loss. 44-14 this time. I guess it’s better than 48-0. Sort of. 

I don’t really care to rant and rave about this one. Been there, said that. The Canes fell short. Talent is lacking. Coaches aren’t making adjustments. Players aren’t playing up to their potential. Losses are piling up and the natives are restless. 

At Boston College next week and by Saturday’s end this team should be put out of its collective misery. A miraculous win and a worthless post-season game… maybe. No guarantees a 6-6 Canes team even goes bowling this year. 

A loss most likely in the cards. Oklahoma. North Carolina. Georgia Tech. NC State. Virginia. Virginia Tech. The way Miami performed against all the above, you can all but go ahead and pencil in next week’s “L” today. This team is done. They have been since the OT loss to the Wolfpack. 

Credit where credit is due, there were glimpses of heart today. Kyle Wright again proved his grit. Dude stood in the pocket, absorbed some serious blow and delivered a few solid throws, runs and hits. The same scratch-your-head type mistakes were there, but Wright showed his will to win and certainly isn’t this team’s lone scapegoat regarding another disastrous season. 

The receivers had their moments as well. Darnell Jenkins shows his throwback Cane persona every time he takes the field. Sam Shields is pulling out of his sophomore slump. Leonard Hankerson will be a stud next year and it was refreshing to see the true freshman get his shot now that Lance Leggett has blown all his. 

Of course -2 rushing yards isn’t going to cut it. Javarris James was held to 7 yards on 10 carries. Graig Cooper and Shawnbrey McNeal were sidelined, adding injury to insult – and junior Derron Thomas was again a non-factor.

5-6 and a week from 5-7. Brutal. This season can’t end soon enough. Time for Randy Shannon to make some serious off-season decisions and personnel moves; player-wise and regarding some assistant coaches. Year one was a bust, but a first time head coach inheriting a 7-6 team a deserves a mulligan. 

Year two is a different ball game. Recruit well. Figure out what didn’t work in 2007 and come up with something better for 2008. Time is of the essence and stubbornness isn’t an option.

Miami needs fixing and it’s up to the man in charge to re-right the ship and start the rebuilding process already. Another season like this simply isn’t acceptable.

A long-time Canes like coach Shannon has to understand that.

.:Canes305:.

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