Game Nine : Miami 26, Maryland 20

Miami beat Maryland on Saturday. Freshman quarterback Stephen Morris filled in for the injured Jacory Harris and led the Canes on a game-winning drive with just over three minutes remaining. Morris made a few rookie mistakes, but showed poise throughout the day, saving the best for last.

Facing a 3rd and 11 from the Miami 49-yard line, Morris scanned the field for an open receiver, pump faked a few Maryland defenders and used his legs to pick up a much-needed first down. One play later, a perfectly placed 35-yard strike to Leonard Hankerson – hitting the senior receiver in stride, putting the Canes up for good, 26-20 after the two-point conversion.

It was the type of ending that should’ve had everyone in Cane nation celebrating, but at 6-3 and with no control of the ACC Coastal, the win still rung somewhat hollow.

Biggest reason for the frustration? The fact that fans could’ve predicted Randy Shannon immediately downplaying any “quarterback controversy”. Morris wasn’t allowed to speak with the media post-game and UM released three carefully crafted statements in the wake of the comeback win.

On the surface, keeping a player from speaking with the media is no big deal. But when taken into account with all of Shannon’s head coaching blunders, it’s another case where he misplayed his hand.

With so much negativity surrounding this program and with the head coach taking so much heat for shunning the media, here’s a chance to deflect all that by putting the well-deserved spotlight on Morris. Instead, Shannon let his own view towards the media dictate how his players interact when called upon.

Shannon even went a step further with the pissing contest, letting reporters know that any mention of controversy would be met by silence.

“Like I said (Saturday), don’t you guys all start on the quarterback controversy and this and that, because you guys will,” said Shannon. The head coach also went on to downplay his freshman quarterback’s accomplishments in his first career start.

“Two interceptions impressive?” Shannon asked rhetorically, referring to Morris’ two picks. “He had a good performance, not impressive. He had two interceptions. Don’t make it seem like he’s done some great thing.”

So let’s get this straight, Coach. Harris lays up four picks at Ohio State (11 on the season) and the blame goes on wideout Travis Benjamin being out of position, not fighting for the ball, running the wrong routes, etc. – but when a first-time starter plays the most heads up football we’ve seen out of a Miami quarterback in forever, your focus is on his two picks – not the brilliant third down run or perfect game-winning spiral delivered to Hank before getting clobbered?

And you wonder why the walls seem to be closing in.

Morris’ performance gave his coach a ‘gimmie’ opportunity and feel-good story (for a program and fan base in need of one), yet Shannon finds another way to turn a plus into a minus.

If played correctly, the Harris versus Morris debate would give a savvier head coach the ultimate win-win solution for the season-ending three-game stretch. With Harris hurt, Morris remains your starter while you continue evaluating Jacory and listing him “week-to-week”.

For once, a legitimate reason to remain ‘cryptic’ regarding the health of his player as concussions are a slippery slope. In this day and age, no one will fault a coach for protecting a player, keeping him on the sidelines and not discussing his status and progress.

If and when Harris is ready and Morris struggles, Shannon now has the option of reinserting his original starter and allowing him to play the role of ‘hero’. Should Harris falter, you can say he was rushed back too quickly and wasn’t game ready, hadn’t practiced, etc.

The only no-no with this scenario? The one Shannon chose. Attacking the media about their potential thoughts on a quarterback controversy, standing firm that Harris is your starter, refusing to give Morris credit for a solid first outing and then not allowing him to take post-game questions.

Shannon remains intent on winning the battles instead of giving up a few here and there in effort to win the war.

Georgia Tech is on deck and if Miami chooses to show up, this is a winnable game. The Yellow Jackets have their flaws and run a one-dimensional offense – one that the Canes defense should keep in check if it makes plays and puts the onus on stopping the run.

Offensively, the Canes simply need to follow their Maryland blueprint – relying on a solid ground game, wearing down an opposing defense and not asking too much out of their quarterback.

Look at the top teams in the BCS. They all run first and pass second, in some cases two to one. The run sets up the pass no matter how you slice or dice it.

As much as fans have directed the angst at Shannon, as much – if not more – should be aimed at Mark Whipple, for pushing his offensive agenda instead of tailoring a game plan for his personnel.

When you look back at Harris’ 28 interceptions in 21 Whipple-called games and how they directly cost the Canes, you wonder what could’ve been regarding these last two seasons if more discretion was used with the offensive game planning.

Three interceptions and a pick six in an overtime loss to Clemson last year. Four picks and two taken to the house at North Carolina in nine-point loss weeks later. Both losses momentum killers for a team on the climb and looking to break through.

Earlier this season, four interceptions at Ohio State in a 12-point loss where Miami’s held its own in the trenches and buckled down in the red zone, but simply gave away too many scoring opportunities.

Hindsight is obviously 20/20 and to Whip’s credit, his game planning against North Carolina, Virginia and Maryland was solid. Miami ran the ball with some authority and less deep balls were thrown into double coverage as defenses had to respect the ground game, putting receivers in more one on one situations where they could capitalize.

The only letdown the past three outings was Miami’s run defense, especially in Charlottesville, giving up 185 yard on the ground in a loss to the lowly Cavs.

Two ACC showdowns remain and in some ways there are still more questions than answers. Nine games into the 2010 season, fans are still wondering which Miami team shows up this weekend – something fans are tired of asking a week after another much-needed victory.

Georgia Tech is more than beatable, but will the Canes have the game plan, mindset and drive to get the job done?

Will Morris be put in a position to thrive and will his line protect him?

Will this John Lovett-led defense shut down the triple option like it did last year?

Will Miami overcome the loss of both Harris and tailback Damien Berry, also out for another game? Lamar Miller and Mike James carried the torch last weekend, combining for 176 yards and two touchdowns on 32 attempts. Can they do it again?

Miami has enough in the tank to win out, but can a coach’s foolish pride, stubborn ways and repetitive team mistakes be put on the back burner long enough for this team to enjoy success?

Even more frustrating than Shannon’s media screw ups, Whipple’s not playing to his offense’s strength and Lovett’s defense not stopping the run – watching an undisciplined squad continuing to self-destruct. Miami was penalized ten times for 100 yards last Saturday against Maryland.

Brandon Harris roughed the kicker and gave the Terps new life. Ramon Buchanan had an illegal block that negated a solid return by TB3. Tyler Horn cost the Canes thirty yards alone with three holding plays as he was unable to keep his guy out of the backfield.

Miami ranks No. 1 nationally with 83 penalties this season, is missing routine extra points regularly and is still chewing through timeouts too quickly – blowing through it’s third before the fourth quarter kicked off. (One can only imagine the backlash had Morris run out of time on that comeback drive….)

For a head coach who preaches discipline, his squad is uncharacteristically sloppy. All the talent, speed and depth the Canes might have, it’s absolutely negated when these kids continue shooting themselves in the foot.

There’s no room for early season jitters having now entered the final month of football. Miami should be progressing as the year rolls on, not regressing.

That really is the crux of all the harsh Shannon critiquing as of late – the fact that rookie mistakes are still being made two-thirds of the way through year four. My case for Randy has always been centered around progress. More talent coming in annually. The win total increasing each of the past three years. Good staff turnover, in an effort to assemble the right group of guys.

For a first-time head coach learning on the job, I felt Shannon deserved time and support – four to five years to clean up the old mess, as well as the proper resources.

2010 was supposed to be a year of growth. Make a statement at Ohio State (win or lose), beat Pitt on the road and then compete for an ACC crown, starting with winning the games you’re supposed to win.

A loss to Florida State wouldn’t have been the end of the world, but a four-touchdown beating was a colossal failure and huge step back.

Same with the upset at Virginia – yet another in-conference flop.

Last year it was Clemson and North Carolina when Miami seemingly turned the corner. Two years back, a five-game win streak and gritty win over Virginia Tech was followed by back-to-back losses; clobbered by three scores at Georgia Tech and an uninspired double digit loss at NC State.

Late season skids were somewhat acceptable years one and two as this program was in full-on rebuild mode, but this is year four and the ante has been upped. Since the Ohio State loss, many have talked about “winning out”, yet Miami stumbled twice in October alone.

For most of the year it’s been a “one at a time” mentality. Right now the magic number is three. The Canes have legitimate motivation regarding the remaining foes.

Miami won last year, but Georgia Tech had this program’s number 2005-2008.

Virginia Tech spanked Miami and has owned UM since both Big East defectors joined the ACC. The Hokies have three conference crowns to the Canes’ goose egg.

South Florida? Another pesky in-state program attempting to work its way into the ‘big three’ and always looking to take Miami recruits.

These Canes have a ton to play for. Pick your motivator.

Pride. Each other. For a coaching staff taking a lot of heat. For a fan base hungry for better days. For a the ghost of Hurricanes past, who have been extremely vocal this season.

Hell, how about a shot at an ACC crown? Virginia Tech shat the bed against James Madison. Who’s to say North Carolina or in-state rival Virginia don’t catch them on a bad day?

Three games. Twelve quarters. Very winnable if the right Miami comes to play. All the Randy drama? Keep tabs if you want, but save that drama for the off-season. Some big time football ahead. Get ready.

Lastly, on the Randy front – I’ve lost some faith, but I’m still rooting for the long-time Cane to turn it around. There’d be no better story for UM than a local product, former player and coordinator righting the ship, both on and off the field.

It can all be accomplished, but not solely on his terms.

Shannon needs to meet the challenge halfway and the more time that passes, I’m not sure if that’s possible.

Comments

comments