Miami 52, Charleston Southern 7

It was only Charleston Southern. A team like Miami is supposed to unload a 45-point beatdown and shut down a team of that nature. Don’t get excited over this 52-7 win. Nothing to see here.

That’s what the critics will say Friday morning after the Miami Hurricanes made an opening game statement at their new home, Dolphin Stadium.

But for a program coming off of 5-7, winless since last October and curious to see how their youth movement would respond, courtesy of a top-ranked recruiting class hauled in last February – fans of The U can breathe a little bit easier this morning. The resurgence is officially on.

The Canes have their work cut out for them, but the foundation has been laid. Playmakers are returning – and will continue to do so, with another top class expected in 2009. Randy Shannon is bringing in his kids, his coaches and has a game plan regarding getting The U back on the map.

Not too much to break down regarding Xs and Os, so let’s keep this one to some random thoughts about opening weekend, the move to a new home and the influx of first-year talent:

Miami had 18 true freshman on the field last night, which is incredible. Shannon has oft stated that the young kids were going to see the field – and they did, making an impact on both sides of the ball. The recent trend at Miami, in the pre-Shannon era, was based on seniority. No mas. The best players will play and battles are won on the practice field, just as they were when Shannon was a player at The U.

It might not seem like all that much right now, but come 2010 when this year’s freshman class are juniors, the Canes will be as talent-heavy then as they were the earlier part of this decade. Depth is being built and when these kids have some experience under their belts, look out.

Jacory Harris proved he’s a superstar in the making. 190 passing yards was the most by a true freshman quarterback since Ken Dorsey did it against Rutgers in 1999, throwing for 194 yards.

Harris’ decision-making is oh-so-refreshing. Knowing when to run versus throw. Spreading the ball around (11 different receivers got touches). Getting rid of the ball when the pressure is on. Poise. Composure. Great touch. Harris is the real deal and over time, will develop into something special…

…. that said, Harris is still green and is not ready to start. As good as Harris looked at times last night, you still have to believe that Robert Marve is going to be even better after a year on the scout team, learning the playbook and working with his teammates. Both he and Harris appear to have the ‘it’ factor, but Marve’s extra year at the collegiate level is the biggest difference-maker here.

Here’s hoping the critics don’t create an unnecessary quarterback controversy after next weekend. Harris looked pretty darn good picking apart lowly Charleston Southern, whereas Marve is being baptized by fire in The Swamp.

Harris shouldn’t be judged for pounding a nobody the same way Marve shouldn’t if a somebody pounds him. He was named starter for a reason and deserves a handful of games to prove his mettle.

Javarris James looked solid and healthy – besides the fumble. Graig Cooper appeared bigger and with an extra gear and Shawnbrey McNeal separated himself from the rest of the back ups, though Derron Thomas looked capable against a lesser opponent.

Miami’s ground attack will take a huge load off both quarterbacks, if they – and their offensive line – can remain healthy.

Reggie Youngblood was out for last night’s contest and back up Chris Rutledge left with an undisclosed injury. The Canes o-line looks competent regarding the first string, but depth is an issue and season-ending injuries will definitely take their toll. The line needs to jell and grow this year and can’t afford any steps back.

Travis Benjamin and Thearon Collier are a welcomed site. Miami’s bread and butter has always been having some fast, shifty and elusive flanker-type playmakers — be it Randall Hill, Jonathan Harris, Santana Moss or Roscoe Parrish.

Benjamin and Collier are going to have an immediate impact on the offense, as well as special teams. Between the newbies and Cooper’s skills as a punt returner (the 66-yard return for a score was a sight for sore eyes), the Canes are going to start winning the field position battles they’ve been losing the past few years.

Sean Spence is the real deal. All the online chatter and experts predicted he’d have the biggest impact of this freshman class, and in this case they may be right. Though a bit undersized, Spence has a knack for getting to the football and making plays and seems fundamentally more sound than some Miami veteran linebackers.

Amazing how much is pure instinct and talent, versus what is taught. Without naming names, safe to say some upperclassmen are going to have to step up their game or risk losing out to the youth movement. Will competition bring out the beast in some older Canes, or will talented underclassmen continue to play above their age and experience level? An interesting scenario to keep an eye on this season.

Spencer Adkins was a forgotten man in Tim Walton’s defensive schemes, yet found a way to do more game one than he did all last season. Adkins registered two sacks and found some time at defensive end – a position he played in high school, though he’s only played linebacker at Miami – until last night. Great moves, great speed and a nose for getting to the quarterback as a pass rusher.

Adkins is part of a few special defensive packages and it seems new defensive coordinator Bill Young is going to find a way to make some ‘tweeners’ and non-factors into role players for special situations. No mystery why Young was able to find success at Kansas, with lesser athletes.

I am ever-so-curious to see what Young has up his sleeve for Florida. You have to think last night’s game plan was ridiculously watered down, knowing who the foe was and who’s on deck.

Though it was only Charleston Southern and game one, Miami appears to have some bounce in their step. Granted, I don’t feel chest bumps are necessary after every play – I welcome the enthusiasm and the energy that’s been missing. Older players seem to have their heads on straighter, while younger players from successful programs are used to winning ways and have carried over the tradition from their high school programs.

Of course the real test will be seeing how Miami reacts in crunch time or after a loss. Easy to have that ‘feel good’ mentality when you’re rolling en route to 52-7. What happens if the wheels come off a bit next week a la Oklahoma 2007? Does this team have the grit to keep fighting? Can they rebound at Texas A&M after a bye week?

Whatever high these Canes are on, it needs to continue win or lose this season. Their collective attitude and demeanor were solid last night. Keep it up.

Patrick Nix did a good job last night and I like seeing him down on the sidelines, instead of up in the booth. Get knee-deep in the action. Have a feel for what the offensive players are going up against. Sense what’s working and what isn’t. Nix finally has some playmakers and can prove if he has the ‘it’ factor, or if Miami will be looking for their fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons.

While it may have only been a lowly non-BCS opponent, I would think the fan base feels much better about 52-7 in 2008 than 31-3 against Marshall in 2007. Kirby Freeman looked lost in last year’s season opener — much like he did opening Baylor’s season with a 4-of-11 performance and INT before getting yanked. Defensively, the Canes hung in there against the Thundering Herd, but didn’t dominate any aspect of the contest.

There will be some rough patches this year, but as far as opening games go – there were many more positives to be taken in 2008’s opener than 2007.

Last but not least…. Dolphin Stadium. I’ve read the complaints online and talked to buds at the game who said the bitch-fest started outside before fans even entered the stadium.

The move to a new venue cannot and should no be judged after one game. Especially a Thursday night contest against a lowly opponent. Next time the Canes take the field, they’ll have three games under their belt, the U will be midfield and striping will be in the endzones. With the Marlins’ season most likely over, the infield should be covered up and the overall aura will be better.

Not to mention the next two home games are North Carolina and Florida State, back-to-back.

Dolphin Stadium will NEVER replace the Orange Bowl. That’s like asking your stepdad to replace your real dad. Impossible. But that doesn’t mean ol’ “uncle dad” can’t bring something to the table as well, making for a positive life experience.

The Canes need to build a new tradition – and that takes more than a game. Hell, it could take at least half a decade before it even starts to feel like home. Miami needs to win some big games there. A few thrilling comebacks. Some big plays taking place in certain parts of the field, making them indelible in your memory.

You could look around the OB any given Saturday and remember a litany of big time plays that went down here, there and everywhere.

Give it time to come together… and in the meantime, appreciate the new aesthetics and the feel of a first-class venue. Also, remember how much the players love it – as many were raving about the Jumbotron and locker rooms after the game.

As fans, we may miss the tradition – but you have to remember most of these current Canes were zygotes when Miami was a force in the late 80s/early 90s. Facilities and an NFL stadium matter to future recruits and if a move to Dolphin Stadium is something the kids love, then us crotchety old fans need to get on board with the youth movement.

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