Another shootout. Another chapter of a storied rivalry. Another sea of new faces. Another Miami v. Florida State weekend in the books.
In the end, a 38-34 nailbiter that came down to the final play. Nothing was kicked wide (when it mattered, anyways). No one muffed a snap. A three touchdown lead wasn’t spotted to anybody. Weather didn’t interfere.
There also wasn’t a Labor Day weekend hangover, which plagued this program years back when both teams had tighter defenses and sluggish offenses. Gone are the 16-10, 10-7 and 13-10. Add the three previous holiday scores together and the result is a 33-33 tie. The 2009 version of this rivalry topped that in a few hours on Monday night.
Par for the course, the critics are out. Most of the talk today surrounding The U has been positive, though a handful of folks prefer to point out the lack of perfection. Defensive play calling. Porous specials teams play, at times. Blowing through time outs. The few offensive play calls that didn’t work.
It’s game one. Get a grip.
For all the 0-4 pundits, the Canes won their opener. No. 18 Florida State – a six-point favorite – was upended by unranked Miami. The program took another step forward. This win currently serves as the turning point in The U’s resurgence. It doesn’t quite feel like Miami v. Florida State circa 2000, but after a half decade on the downturn, you learn the difference between a talent-heavy rivalry game and one where both teams are reeling.
Miami and Florida State are ‘back’. Not ‘national championship’ caliber back, but ready-to-take-over-the-ACC back and a year from now, an “in the hunt” back. It’s the first step and both these teams will get better as the year progresses. That said, the Canes feel a little bit closer.
In an evenly matched game, Miami seemed a few steps ahead in a few aspects of both respective rebuilding projects. Jacory Harris went toe-to-toe with Christian Ponder and in the end, bested him with a few more clutch plays — Harris in his first year as a starter, making his third career start while Ponder is in year two, coming off a solid first season.
Harris is a superstar in the making and the Canes have their first real quarterback of the post-Ken Dorsey era. Sure, Brock Berlin held his own and won some big games – but he was never the next great at Quarterback U. Kyle Wright flamed out, as did Kirby Freeman and all the other non-signees who almost came to Miami the past few years.
Calm. Cool. Collected. Poised. Harris is a gamer and will eventually become a big name in college football. Give it time. His demeanor on the field and on camera. The faith his teammates have in him. Harris is a born leader and he’ll lead this program back over the next few seasons.
Quarterback is half the story – the other, new offensive coordinator Mark Whipple. Incredible to see a true offensive mind calling plays Monday night. New formations. Imagination. Whipple kept Mickey Andrews on his toes and the Canes dialed up the right plays when the game was on the line.
I can’t tell you what’s more exciting – a coordinator like Whipple who called the 40-yard pass to Travis Benjamin on the game-winning drive, or the fact Miami finally has a quarterback with the arm to make that throw.
The running game is still a work in progress and the defense gave up too many plays, similar to last year. Difference in this one, the fact that the Miami offense moved the ball and scored points. With last year’s O the Canes drop a 41-20 contest. This time around, tit for tat. The Canes answered.
Down 23-17 entering the final quarter, Miami outscored Florida State 21-11 to close it out. For all the grief the Canes defense took, it gave up three points in the fourth – the Noles lone touchdown coming on an interception return. 88 total yards surrendered down the stretch – thirty coming on a Ponder designed run. Miami’s stiffened up late, right down to the final plays.
Anyone calling Miami ‘lucky’ to escape with a win, check yourself. Five straight stops from inside the five-yard line. A phantom pass interference call giving Florida State new life from the two-yard line. Pass break ups. Solid defense. Strong coverage. Heart.
The U lost its mojo just over six years ago when Ohio State kept them out of the endzone with a solid goal line stand. This time around, it was Miami who held their ground, denied their opponent and might’ve just turned the corner. The Canes buckled down where in recent years they would’ve simply buckled.
The outing was far from flawless, but it proved effective. Miami found a quarterback and an offensive coordinator. Wide receivers and running backs look primed to break out an any given moment. Even the much maligned offensive line has stepped up their level of play, making a huge difference in Tallahassee.
Defensively, the late game clamp down… the fact it was game one… the lack of depth at defensive line and in the secondary due to injury.. the desire to keep a dual-threat quarterback at bay… as well as the fact Miami’s offense held their own in a shootout — now’s not the time to complain. Revel in the win.
The Canes have ten days to get on lock down regarding Georgia Tech’s triple option. One game at a time. Dial it in. Step up. It’ll be a Thursday night in South Florida. A nationally televised home stand. Get healthy and get ready.
Randy Shannon and his Canes took a huge step forward on Monday night. A quarter of this daunting schedule is in the books – and the next three foes look a little more mortal after week one. Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Oklahoma – 1-2 combined – are now barely ranked ahead of the No. 20 Hurricanes.
From a psyche standpoint, a few more early wins just got a bit more tangible.
Canes305,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJM8-4jicQ4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTJ2wOzjvfM
Above are two vids I uploaded to youtube.com after the game.
Miami's offense looks great. The new scheme looked very strong and it will only get better with time.
Pumped up about the season and what a perfect start to the year.
Thanks for all that you do…
First great post allcanes!!
Congrats to Randy. Was the talk of all of espn and radio shows. i stay in seattle and it was all over the radio shows here!!
Everybody keeps saying the same. not giving Miami the W..just talking about the special teams and the cramping players and Spence of course. But I would take a W like this over FSU anyday. This was a good game. Miami didnt back down. And better yet..neither did Jacory.
And your right allcanes..the rest of these games seem soo much more winnable now that we see VTech isnt that good. And OU is having a injury year.
Go Canes!!
((ZarOkoN))
All I have to say is Wow I'm so excited to have a QB and a team with heart. This is something that Cocker didnt understand/teach. I'm ready to see the offense light up the score board this year which we havnet see since 2002. I do see some adjustments needed on D and special teams. 305 you didnt mention anything about the kicking game. What are your thoughts on the squib kicks?
Land O Lakes Cane
Clayton
Chris – I have to agree, all things considered Miami played better than expected. Most football pundits stated that while UM and FSU were "on their way back," it was FSU "that was a few steps forward." I don't think that was an unreasonable opinion based on the evidence from last year and with UM entering the game without its two starting DEs.
A point about the throw to Benjamin: That was actually a trick play. UM had moved the right tackle over to the left side and left the TE on in the right tackle position. He released and went down the middle but was actually covered by the LB. Benjamin was the check down. This actually shows how calm and smart Harris is. He saw his first option covered and threw a perfect pass to the double-covered check down. Even more impressive!
To be sure, there are some issues to address – as all teams must after game 1. (I could have killed whoever is calling for pooch/squib kicks and giving FSU the ball at the 40/50 all second half!) I watched the game replay last night and felt that the defense did tighten up a bit – especially in the 4th. They seemed to be getting more pressure too.
All in all – great win! We may end up seeing FSU again in a conference championship game should Miami play well enough to get there.
Until then … Go Canes!
Jake
towards the end of the game the O-Line really started to scare me. The lack of depth was showing as we weren't getting any push off the line, and our backs were running into a sea of FSU defenders. The team looks great but my feeling is that this line will be the achilles heel of the offense. Luckily jacory was able to avoid the rush a few times but my worry is that the line will fatigue and or find injuries throughout the course of a brutal schedule and will bring this exciting offense to a screeching halt. otherwise we looked great on offense, Hank was a pleasant surprise (maybe we should bring duper on full time?) and both backs looked great, Coop was showing an incredible burst to the outside that just wasn't there last year.
I would have loved to see Kyle Wright with the proper coaching and tutelage. He got robbed…We got robbed! – thanks again Joker!
Nice write up. I agree that this was really a combinaion of two things coming together – Whipple's play calling and Jacory's talent. In watching ESPN news last night, they said the play to benjamin was supposed to be a trick play that broke down and Jacory immediately read the break down and threw it to Benjamin. When I looked at the replay, sure enough that is what happened. Genius on two levels. Whipple for trying to be tricky but designing an option if it didn't work and to Jacory for immediately reading and reacting to the breakdown, sliding up in the pocket, and throwing a laser pass.
I am going to enjoy this win, and stay positive. Georgia Tech will be a challenge, and certainly our defense will have to play better to win. But I like our chances.
Funny how you put the youtube video withe Pacino Any Given Sunday "Its a game of Inches" speech. And boy did it come down to a few inches. I am glad those couple of inches went our way though.
Jacory + Whipple + RB'S + WR'S = WOW!!! Feels good to see us putting up some points again.
Defense = Have a feeling that Lovett got an earful from RS about this one, and I bet you the defense will be working hard the next 8 days till GT. By the way what the hell was Jo Jo doing back there half the time? Just a thought..
That ghost pass interference call was ridiculous, game should have been over on that fade pass tipped away by B. Harris. Thought Terry Porter snuck out onto the field just to throw a flag for $h!t's and giggles!!
For are all of you d-bags talkin ish about RS and his coaching… shut the hell up… considering most coaches that take over major coaching jobs after numerous years getting head coach exp. elsewhere, RS is doing a hell of a job. He bleeds orange and green, unlike you couch coaches… hell, he can't play the game for these young players. I felt he did a great job of stepping in when his players got confused.
Canes- Thanks for showing fortitude throughout that emotional rollercoaster and coming out on top.
UknOw
One of the best games I've seen in recent years fell in the Canes favor and I'm ecstatic! I have a lot of respect for the Noles and was really surprised not seeing the hatred between teams that we've seen in recent years. I lost count of the number of times I saw Noles and Canes helping each other up Monday night. It was great to see the respect for one another but its too bad that the fans don't have that same respect. Booing after another Cane on the defense goes down with a cramp? I'll agree that it was getting ridiculous but its game 1 of the season and that gonna happen from time to time. I'm a little nervous for the next few games but knowing that we have a decent chance of a 10-2 or 9-3 season and a potential trip to the ACC Championship…I'm really looking forward to the next few years and watching these young players come into their own and show the nation we're back. #20 and hopefully climbing after next Thursday! GO CANES!
Great comments from everybody. Love it.
Regarding Carolina's comment about Kyle Wright, fully agree. I've supported Wright from day one – reminding folks that he turned down Southern Cal and Texas to come to Miami. Dude could've backed Matt Leinart or Vince Young a few years and would've had superior talent around him and great coaches.
No doubt to me that a Mark Whipple would've helped Wright tremendously. Sadly, Kyle's fate was similar to a Ryan Clement — at Miami during a down cycle and paying a price for that.
Loved watching the game, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. JH came into his own that night and as I told my friend(who is a Gator fan) "we've found our next great QB). I want to watch the game again on ESPN classic. IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE A CANE!!!
I dont know if any one really realizes just how scary this team can be. I mean there are some BIG time playmakers on both sides of the ball. I think the offense might have one or 2 more compared to our D, but this team has a TON of talent. I was a defender of Nix and said he just didnt have the personnel, but damn, Whipple is special. I dont think he's gonna be around too long as someone will come knocking on his door for a HC position.
After seeing this game, GT doesnt look nearly as scary as they did last year. For the most part we took FSU's run game away from them. We didnt let Ponder, aside from that one 30 yard scamper, do much against us on the run. Everyone is gonna know what GT is coming with and if we can score some points, I dont see that game being that close, but maybe im getting ahead of myself.
I havent been this excited about a Miami team in a long, long time. This team is so, so close.
One comment on the pass D/pass rush. Sure, the pass D needs some work, but that should be helped with an better pass rush. Remember, we lost our two starting DE's, and FSU has probably the best OL in the ACC. I'm not saying it's gonna get better overnight, but hopefully Moncur can come back in a couple weeks and provide a little spark.
Also, the next two games we play teams that will be rushing much more than they are passing, so developing a better pass rush and pass D won't be critical to success in the game (not like if we were playing Texas Tech or some other pass-happy offense).
All of a sudden 3-1 is looking very doable. VT is just as beatable as when we beat them last year, and OU has the injury bug. GT will be very difficult. We have to prove our run D is better this year, which it should be with big Bailey in the middle and McCarthy and Philips back. Also, GT has had a case of the fumbles at the beginning of each season, so hopefully they wont be running on all cylinders like last november. GT's secondary is also very suspect, so maybe with the new and improved offense, we can pull out another 38-34 win.
Good start to the year. Thanks for the good articles all offseason, Allcanes!
Chris … great read. Best paragraph:
"I can't tell you what's more exciting – a coordinator like Whipple who called the 40-yard pass to Travis Benjamin on the game-winning drive, or the fact Miami finally has a quarterback with the arm to make that throw."
Very true. Was a hell of a play. Was very impressed with UM's clutch play and not falling apart when they were down 9 towards the end of the 3rd Quarter. That showed heart.
great great game…squib kicks did suck but from the coaches point of view, Bosher wasn't able to get enough hang time so they were trying to squib kick it to the 30 or 40…away from Reid who would have caught a line drive kick from Bosher and returned it to the 40 or even more before our guys have a chance to make a tackle. Bosher wasn't even able to make the squib kicks…honestly, they should of just kicked it out of bounds and taken the penalty. Regardless, we need to find another kicker who can handle those duties. Bosher is excellent at punting and field goals. I'm sure the U could find some international student that plays soccer in the old country and can kick the ball 80 yards.
Sorry 305 and Carolina Cane, but Wright is a punk. Yes, he COULD have gone to UT or USC, but he would have whined and walked out on them too. The boy lacks integrity. Good riddance.
Sorry 305 and Carolina Cane, but Wright is a punk. Yes, he COULD have gone to UT or USC, but he would have whined and walked out on them too. The boy lacks integrity. Good riddance.
I think this is a standard what came first, the chicken or the egg type scenario.
Was Wright a "punk" (your words, not mine) when he came to Miami – or did a bad experience in Coral Gables impact him?
Wright waltzed onto campus in 2003 when Miami had promise. No sooner does he get here and Dan Werner takes over as OC. Failed experience.
Rich Olson/Todd Berry take over two years later. Doubled failure.
Patrick Nix on board for Wright's senior year… three times not the charm. Fail… again.
Wright never got a break, never had the talent around him and never had a good OC or QB coach working with him. He came to Miami an 18-year old full of potential and Miami wasted it.
I don't blame the kid for getting frustrated with the situation… and again, the key word there is KID. Wright was between 18 and 21 years old – trying to play at Miami, when the program was in a lurch and the fans were calling for his head. Not a good time to be part of The U's quarterback legacy…
Telling games for sure, but we only have two "must wins", (Coastal division opponents) Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech. Realistically we haven't done $hit in our own division, …much less the ACC, …much less the National picture (BCS) in years.
An FSU win would be nice, a great start and 'feel good' for beating a rival. Oklahoma, a win is not likely but that's fine. Prefer we play well and lose close to build great confidence for the remainder of the season (ACC play). Why, look what happen to this team the last time they sniffed the Top25. Exacty!!!
We beat OU, they'll be thinking National Championship for sure! They have no business thinking that.
So 2-2 out the gate and an 8-4 finish with ACC Championship game appearance, if we beat Gtech and Vtech, is my prediction.
Then 2010, here we come, let the BCS Championship talk start then!!!
I wrote that in one of your blogs a few days back (around Sept. 2nd). I’m excited like the rest of you, but still keeping it all in perspective. Great win, butttttttttttttttttttttt!
Had we lost I would still feel good about what I saw out of our Canes. I mean it is great to watch them and feel like we’re watching a Canes game again. We look so explosive. Injuries and cramping aside, our defense was a reminder we’re not back yet. That and special teams play helped keep my perspective grounded in reality.
Hopefully by mid season we should be clicking on all cylinders and ready to make some serious noise in the ACC (not National title picture people). Let’s take it one game at a time and not focus so much on national ranking. Win the ACC, we’re in the Orange Bowl regardless of rank.
🙂 But I'm so tempted to change my prediction to 9-3. GO CANES!!!
I'm not going to complain at all about the game Monday. We all watched and know where we need to improve and adjust. My motto this year for our team is taken from Al Davis: Just win, Baby.
I don't care how it looks. Just win. It was SO refreshing to see the Canes move the ball up and down the field, to see calls to throw the ball over 15 yards, to see some emotion in a hostile environment. This type of offense can really do some damage in the ACC, which has really been more of a defensive, lower scoring league the past few years.
We all know the first four games are brutal, but we need to only zero in on GTech. They play tomorrow night against Clemson and I'll be watching just because we play them next as well as loving any good college football game. It's time to end this streak next.
Just win, Baby!
-Columbus cane
Great post. And great rally in tally might I add. I went to the game and it was so crazy there. The greatest thing about the game was watching Jacory. I told my friend on the first drive look at him take charge of this team. We watched him yell at his own players and keep them in line. He kept his calm. I have not seen that from a UM QB in sooo long. That and WRs who can actually catch the ball when it is thrown to them.
There is plenty we need to work on still, but like you said it was game one. The only thing I am worried about that carried over from last year that stood out is the time management. I know they are young, but we need to be more careful with that.
I can't wait until next Thursday. Should be a great game down here.
It's All About The U!!!
dude phillips (the safety) played great…the offense played great and for Harris…man can you say future Heisman! I was pleased with the outcome with D, the youngsters will improve with next week game and the importance of the play of Phillips will help contain the triple option of Georgia Tech. Dont be surprise the Canes go 4-0 on its first four games!!
FE
LA, CA
L
We showed the nation…All they can do is talk about the "U"….Take that snitches!!
Im with some of you in thinking that our D needs to buckle down, but, hey, they did come up with the stops when the game mattered most. Its not like Ponder and the FSU offense got into our redzone and only had 1 chance to fling it into the endzone. They had plenty of opportunities to take that game when it was on the line but our D held tough. Gotta be proud of the never say die attitude. With that said tho, i dont want every game to be a shootout. I want to see some nasty, hard hitting defense.
WHERE THE FCUK ARE ALL THOSE A55HOLES THAT SAID WE WOULD START 0-4???…………THE U IS BACK BITCHES!!!
@CanesDB
"The Rally in Tally" is a GREAT name for that classic matchup..I nominate that henceforth it be forever called that
What a game!!! I'm very proud of our CANES!
If I was to complain about anything it would be with our Strength & Conditioning and Nutrition Coaches/Trainers. We had WAY TO MANY leg cramps which caused some of our key players to miss some key plays. I didn't see one FSU player with a cramp.
I'm just nitpicking though! GO CANES!
Felt the need to pass on some of the bizarre irrationality of MiamiHerald comments hijackers (Gator fans of course): One beautiful peace of "huh"? from a Gator fan was applauding Jacory Harris' serenity, and in the same breath faulting Randy Shannon for not showing more of it himself. Pretty sure the only time Shannon gets excited is to amplify his voice for a timeout or to get his players back, from celebrating, to the sidelines.
As to the Florida Gator fans unease with the result of the game, to the point of reactionary rationalization of their CSU win and attack on both FSU and MIA's defenses: FSU had some defensive issues (new Prowler defense was being worked in, sometimes worked, sometimes didn't), and Miami was missing DVD, Moncur, Ojomo, Hill, and Telemaque. Those *facts of football life* aside, and back to my overarching point: FSU and MIA fans alike should take notice and all indulge, nay, revel like a dog rolling on a carass, in the Gators unease as a result of duel Stellar performances by Miami and FSU.