A week after a 31-7 beat down at Virginia Tech, the million dollar question remained – which Miami team would show up for Oklahoma? The answer? Not the one the Sooners saw two years ago in Norman.
It’s time for the nation to take notice; Miami is back. What degree of ‘back’ remains up for debate.
This squad isn’t 2001 reincarnated. A 34-game win streak isn’t on the horizon. The Canes aren’t a shoo in for back-to-back national title game berths. There won’t be half a dozen first rounders headed to the NFL in April. Anyone measuring this team up to those standards, stop right now. These 2009 Canes don’t have to achieve ‘greatest of all time’ status to be considered back.
Saying Miami is ‘back’ simply means the Hurricanes are relevant again. A 3-1 start. Wins in two nationally televised games against teams ranked higher than them – Florida State and Georgia Tech. Those are steps towards being ‘back’.
So is a win over a top ten team; the Canes first since a win at Virginia Tech four years ago. Not only did Miami hold their own against Oklahoma, but the Canes did so a week after running into a buzzsaw in Blacksburg a week ago. The last time Miami fell 31-7 against the Hokies (2003), the then-No. 2 Canes followed up with a 10-6 home loss to Tennessee a week later, ending any shot at a third straight title game berth.
Different team. Different coach. Different mindset.
Randy Shannon has proven much in his tenure as Miami’s head coach. He can recruit, he can assemble a staff and he can have his team ready to bounce back after a crushing loss. That might not have been the case year one and two, but with the personnel both on the field and on the sidelines, the Canes are proving they know how to forget about last week while focusing on the latest task at at hand.
Would Miami be ready for Oklahoma? That’s what the college football world wanted to know. Were those first two wins a fluke? How would the Canes handle the Sooners’ defense – one that is bigger, stronger and faster than the D the Hokies brought a week ago in a crushing defeat? Regarding Mark Whipple, when and how would the offensive guru implement a running game – one that’s been non-existent the first few games this season?
All those questions were answered in a thrilling 21-20 upset of No. 8 Oklahoma last Saturday night at The Shark.
Miami was ready. Those first two wins weren’t a fluke. The Canes were ready for that Sooners defense and Whipple was ready with a ground game, highlighted by a senior running back ready for career-type performance.
Down 10-0 out the gate after two early Jacory Harris interceptions, weaker teams would’ve folded – and weaker teams have. When was the last time the Sooners were down two scores and went on to lose a game? Last October against No. 5 Texas, which was a rarity. Oklahoma amassed a 34-8 record these past three years, with three BCS games and a title game berth.
During that same span Miami went 19-19, played in a blue turf bowl, missed a bowl and made their way to a lesser bowl in a San Francisco baseball stadium. Clearly on paper, this was a juggernaut taking on an up and comer ready to break out. It was just a matter of when and where.
Oklahoma was without Heisman-winning quarterback Sam Bradford and all world tight end Jermaine Gresham before kickoff. They also lost wideout Ryan Broyles early in the game, which didn’t help their cause. Still, any Sooner who wants to compare depth charts with the Canes, go right ahead. One program has been reloading all decade while the other has been in rebuilding mode since 2006. Simply put, don’t expect any sympathy from Miami – a program with it’s fair share of injuries this season.
OU quarterback Landry Jones made his third start while Harris made his sixth for UM. Both quarterbacks had inexperience on their side and both had their ups and downs. Harris simply rose to the occasion, remained calm and made the plays needed to win a game of this caliber. Two early interceptions were followed up by three touchdown strikes – 18 yards to Jimmy Graham, 11 yards to Dedrick Epps and 38 yards to Travis Benjamin.
Stats-wise, this one was almost even – 341 total yards for Oklahoma and 342 for Miami. The Canes rushed for 140 yards to the Sooners’ 153 and passed for 202 yards to OU’s 188.
The majority of Miami’s ground game came via Javarris James, the oft dinged up senior running back who finally had his breakout game. James carried 15 yards for 150 yards and provided some of the game’s biggest moments. A 50-yard run early in the second quarter set the stage for the Canes first touchdown.
James again shone on the final drive when the Canes needed to retain possession while nursing a one-point lead. A 21-yard scamper on the second play of the drive moved the ball from the Miami 39 to the Oklahoma 40 and on his final rush of the night, James picked up 13 yards after a Harris to Epps connection sealed the game on 3rd and 6.
The only real discrepancy came in penalties where the home team was dinged by Big XII officials 12 times for 115 yards. Anyone who watched the game saw the bias and the fact that Miami prevailed keeps it from needing much mention in this piece. Had Miami lost, different story. I’d have written 1,500 words on the phantom ‘roughing the kicker’ call alone.
The four-game gauntlet is in the books and Miami is 3-1. Where are the haters now? All those who called for 0-4 and clamoring for Shannon to face plant so Tommy Tuberville could take over, how are you liking things now? Miami’s win over Oklahoma proved that the Virginia Tech loss was an aberration and not the norm.
An even more physical defense and the offensive line protected Harris, while also establishing a ground game that was non-existent a week ago. Adjustments were made and Miami proved they belong. The Canes are a legit top ten squad, even though the pollsters stuck them at No. 11. (Based on the schedule played, who really thinks Miami isn’t better than Boise State, Cincinnati, TCU or Ohio State on a neutral field?)
That said, nothing wrong with No. 11 at this point of the season. A lot of ball left to be played and the Canes need to remain focused. Act I is in the books and Act II begins this weekend, starting with undefeated FAMU and their electrifying punt returner LeRoy Vann. From there, a road game at Central Florida, a home game against Clemson and a trek to Wake Forest.
Act III starts with a home game against Virginia, a road game at North Carolina, home against Duke and at South Florida.
On paper, the most difficult part of Miami’s season is in the books at 3-1. That said, now the real season begins. The Canes are no longer under the radar and the pressure is on. You can expect more nationally televised games, more media coverage and more hype. As teams in the top ten lose, it opens the door for a Miami climb – even though the Canes are ranked higher than the rest of their foes this season.
It’s time to exhale, but it’s also time for an even more intense focus. The pressure remains on. Every game means that much more. Wins over Florida State, Georgia Tech and Oklahoma mean little should you stumble against FAMU or Central Florida.
One game at a time for this team and for the fans, a reason to truly be excited about the state of this program. Miami isn’t ‘back’ regarding championship standards, but the ship has been righted and the corner turned. The future is now. Soak it up.
What’s the best way for an NC based Canes fan to get Canes-side tickets to the UNC game?
What a game man! I really enjoyed THE SHARK TANK!!!I'll be in Sec 135all season! The UM fans make the stadium GREAT! CANES will win many games at The SHARK TANK!
Anonymous, I think you should try going to stub hub and it lets you choose what seats you want – at a price of course.
As far as the game…It's a win over the #8 team. Period. Yes they were missing Bradford, Gresham, Broyles, but they didn't cry against Idaho St and Tulsa so I don't want to hear it. Injuries happen. We were missing 3 starters on defense so save it. By the way, they had their full compliment of defensive players and we were able to move the ball.
Speaking of defense, all we heard about were the stats of how great OU was. Are they a great defense? Yes. But you can find a stat to back up anything you want to claim. Stats can lie. Instead of just seeing stats, you have to dig into them. Yeah nobody had run the ball on them and they had given up an average of 4 points a game. Who did they play though? BYU, ISU and Tulsa. Stats don't tell the whole story. Those stats just got balanced out against a good Miami team.
3-1 is a hell of an accomplishment so far for any team, let alone from where we've come as a program. BUT we have to stay motivated and avoid the late season swoons we have suffered the past few years. This squad has a different character than in past years, so I think it should be less of a problem. Coach Shannon knows what he's doing and I hope he gets his just reward with a nice contract sooner than later, having only one more year left on his current one. Go Canes!
-Columbus Cane
I'll be making my first trip to the Shark for the UM/Clemson game and I can't wait. I think we'll be sitting pretty, time Clemsux rolls in. Plus being that I'm from SC and some of my fam are Clemson fans I'll be sure to be extra rowdy at that game
To the individual asking about getting tickets for the U side at the Tarheels stadium, go to their website and locate the stadium diagram. Locate which side is the home teams and then order tickets for the opposite.
In regards to the annonymous individual asking about UNC tickets. I live in Northern VA and I always buy a season ticket in the nose bleed seats at the "Shark" and then as a season ticket holder I have access to away game tickets.
Another option is to join the Hurricane Club. You donate $100 dollars a year and get access to away game tickets. These are the only ways to ensure that you are sitting in the visitor section.
You can go through Stub Hub, however you have to make sure you know exactly which section is the visitor section and alot of times there are no visitor section seats available. IT'S WORTH THE MONEY to make sure you are in the Canes section. Trust me, you do not want to be surrounded by the other teams fans!!!
Well I just visited stub hub and bought my Miami/nc tix in section 104 ('Canes side of the field) row B. Look to be close to the 45 or 50. And low enough to see my 'Canes on the bench ! I look forward to seeing other 'Canes faithful there tailgating !!!
Hated by many, loved by few, WE are the U
Just because you are on the visitor side of the field doesn't mean you are in the visitor section. Teams don't divide the field in half and say "this is your half and this is ours"! I will bet you a paycheck that there is no stadium in the country where the visitor section is anywhere near the 50 yard line (usually it is in a corner of the stadium or 1000 feet in the air)teams are not going to give visiting fans good seats…think about it!
And that is exactly why I went to stub hub to buy my tickets…I did not want to sit in a nose bleed section for 50 bucks. I prefer to sit behind my team and cheer them on and possibly get a split U thrown at me !!!
Sorry if you thought I implied that by being on the Miami side I meant I was with all Miami fans in a section of nc's choosing….not gonna happen. While I would love to enjoy the company of others in orange and green, I've been going to games long enough to know that great seats count more. As I stated before, I hope to see them all while we are tailgating !!! Maybe I'll see you ?
Hated by many, loved by few, WE are the U
It's all love my Cane brother…just wanting to make sure you didn't have to fight your way out of the stadium. I will be there also!
If you've been there b4 maybe you can give me some tailgate tip areas….I'll be driving up Fri. so I'll need a friendly bar as well for the evening ? Maybe I will save my colors for the game…….LOL Have you been taunted bad enough to want to fight ? I try to avoid it, but can go if pushed…had some moonshine drinkers at the GT game last year that talked rowdy but kept their spot against the wall.
I was hoping for a decent time….hopefully I will get to meet you while tailgating, let me know fellow 'Cane !
Hated by many, loved by few, WE are the U
I have been to Duke, VT, GT, FSU, Clemson, Maryland, UVA, Wake, Boise (MPC Computers Bowl), Louisville, WVU, Atlanta (2005 Peach Bowl)and of course the OB and the "Shark". I have to say that the fans in Clemson were very respectful, but the absolute worst fans ever are either WVU or Maryland. I went to the UM Maryland game 2 years ago when their idiot fans stormed the field after beating an unranked UM tem by 1 point. After the game there was a guy who was hell bent on fighting me, but he had several friends and I knew I would be in trouble, so I kept walking. I will be at the UM/Wake game and the UNC game, so I will be just as lost as you!