Game Nine : Miami 52, Virginia 17

Virginia may not be the same caliber team as some of Miami’s other foes this season, but a five touchdown win is a five touchdown win – a rarity for these present day Canes.

The Cavs have played the Canes tough these past few years. Overtime last season. A 48-0 shutout in the Orange Bowl finale. The previous three games decided by no more than ten points. Miami and Virginia usually bring out the best in each other.

A lot of talk last week about the OB massacre serving as revenge for this year’s contest. Whether that was the case or not, Miami rolled and played a very solid games; punt protection aside.

Jacory Harris, a respectable 18 of 31 for 232 yards and two touchdowns while spreading the ball around to a dozen different receivers. Graig Cooper, a career-high 152 yards and a score, while back ups Lee Chambers and Damien Berry combined for 120 yards and two scores. On special teams, Thearon Collier brought the thunder with a “Hester-esque” 60-yard punt return for score, evoking memories of some old school-style Hurricane football.

Defensively, Miami finally locked things down a bit, only giving up 149 yards to Virginia. The Canes shut down the run, giving up a paltry 74 yards, 34 of which came on one play.

The 52-17 beat down was arguably Miami’s most complete performance of the season, even with a majority of starters sidelined and unable to contribute. Regarding November, it was an all around solid start to this final month of football.

One down, three to go. Next up; North Carolina. Headed back to Chapel Hill, where the Canes have never won and are 0-2 since joining the ACC. Randy Shannon, the student, is winless against Butch Davis, the teacher. Safe to say this fact, combined with Miami’s road track record against the Heels, will add some motivation to this week’s showdown.

More important, Miami sits at 7-2 and is ranked No. 12 in the land. With three weeks remaining, the Canes still have an outside shot at an at-large BCS bid and should Georgia Tech lose to Duke this weekend, Miami is back in the driver’s seat for a shot at an ACC crown.

With the Tar Heels looming, which Canes team shows up this weekend? Has Miami ‘turned the corner’ regarding a 52-point outburst? Or was this simply a talented team feasting on the less talented? Virginia was definitely a different monster without the versatile Jameel Sewell behind center. Marc Verica made the Cavs one-dimensional and the running game isn’t what it was with Cedric Peerman handling the carries the past few years.

None of that is said to take any wind out of the Canes’ collective sail. This is a win that should be built upon, but needs to be taken in stride. Virginia was thought to be a decent defensive unit, but Miami still racked up 515 offensive yards. North Carolina is said to be an even better defensive unit. Can the Canes bring the thunder again? What will Mark Whipple draw up and on the defensive side of the ball, what does John Lovett have up his sleeve as a former North Carolina assistant?

Since the loss to Clemson and close call at Wake Forest, Shannon and staff flipped the script. Miami practices are shorter, featuring less contact and more film work. The Canes are battered and bruised, so coaches are focusing more on the mental side of things as the seasons winds down.

The formula worked for Virginia and hopefully will for North Carolina, Duke and South Florida. No Canes were injured against the Cavs and there’s talk of Eric Moncur being ready for the trek to Chapel Hill. More depth on the line is welcomed as much of the Miami defense has been decimated due to injury. Any added pressure the d-line can muster up will help an ailing linebacker corps and secondary. The Canes pass rush has been suspect as of late – especially against Clemson and Wake Forest.

The Miami that showed up for Virginia needs to be the Miami that shows up the rest of this season. The fluidity of the offense combined with the aggressive nature shown on defense proved to be the perfect storm, allowing for the Canes biggest win and offensive outpouring against a legitimate opponent since a 47-17 win at Wake Forest in 2005. (For obvious reasons, not ‘counting’ wins against the likes of Charleston Southern, FAMU, FIU, et al.)

Stay healthy, get mentally prepared, focus… and clean up those special teams issues.

Three winnable games remain, if the ‘right’ Miami chooses to show up.

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