Florida out-gained Miami by 201 yards offensively, but couldn’t convert in the game’s biggest moments. Conversely, the Hurricanes scored early and used defensive turnovers, of all things, to keep the Gators at bay and to escape with the much-needed upset.
Miami couldn’t convert on third down—going 1-for-11 on the day—and only rushed for 50 yards, but forced Florida into five crucial turnovers and came up with big stop after big stop as 76,968 looked on.
Miami won the opening toss, deferred and Florida went to town early. A quick run by quarterback Jeff Driskel for six, a Matt Jones scamper for nine and a 22-yard completion from Driskel to Quinton Dunbar immediately had the Gators in Hurricanes’ territory.
Florida’s self-implosion began with a false start and after a personal foul, the Gators were pegged back on UM’s 43-yard line. Faced with a 2nd-and-11, Jones took another handoff and was popped by Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman, forcing the fumble and giving the Hurricanes possession mid-field.
Nine plays later, quarterback Stephen Morris connected with Herb Waters for the seven-yard score and UM held he early, 7-0 lead.
The teams quickly traded possessions before Florida blocked a Miami punt, setting the Gators up inside the ten-yard line, easily allowing Driskel to run in a nine-yard touchdown on 2nd and Goal, but the Hurricanes quickly answered back and UF’s failed two-point conversion attempt.
Running back Duke Johnson got five, Morris found tight end Clive Walford for 13 and Johnson gained six more. Morris then went back-to-back, hitting Waters for no gain, but connecting with Allen Hurns for eight yards on a 3rd and 4, which set up a perfect 52-yard strike from Morris to Phillip Dorsett for another Miami touchdown.
Florida again moved the ball, highlighted by a 46-yard gain when Driskel hit Solomon Patton, setting UF up on UM’s 21-yard line. Four plays later, Driskel overshot Dunbar in the end zone and a play later was intercepted by Rayshawn Jenkins on the four.
Miami’s 14-6 advantage held until early in the third quarter as the Hurricanes defense continued finding ways to come up big.
Midway through the second, Florida attempted to run Driskel up the middle on 4th-and-1 from the UM 16-yard line, but the quarterback was stuffed. The ensuing possession, Florida was again in the red zone but Trey Burton was popped by Shayon Green, fumbled and it was recovered by Thurston Armbrister.
Florida settled for a 33-yard Austin Hardin field goal when a nine-play, 44-yard drive stalled as Dunbar could only gain eight on a 3rd-and-8 from the UM 18-yard line. A drive later the Gators were in another quick hole as the result of a Tyler Moore hold. Mack Brown picked up 11 yards on 2nd-and-13, but was stopped cold on 3rd-and-2, forcing another punt.
The Gators looked like they’d found a spark when Vernon Hargreaves III intercepted Morris when the Canes were buried with a 3rd-and-25, courtesy of an Ereck Flowers hold, but the Miami defense again rose to the challenge.
Taking over in Hurricanes’ territory, Driskel found Dunbar for an 11-yard gain, before the quarterback’s legs added another 12. Brown picked up two, followed by a five-yard gain by Patton, setting up a 3rd-and-3 from the UM 17-yard line.
With a chance to give Florida the first lead of the game, Driskel threw towards the end zone, but was intercepted by Miami cornerback Tracy Howard—a former Gators commit who switched to the Canes on Signing Day 2012. Howard 36-yard return put Miami at mid-field, but again the Florida defense forced a punting situation.
Cincinnati transfer Pat O’Donnell bombed another punt for Miami, pinning Florida at their own 14-yard line and three plays later, the Hurricanes defense found another way to make the Gators pay. Facing a 3rd-and-7, Tyriq McCord sacked Driskel, forced and recovered a fumble and three plays later, Johnson punched in the two-yard score, giving Miami the late 21-9 lead.
Florida continued to scrap, with Driskel completing back-to-back passes, hitting Dunbar for a 32-yard gain and the Patton for the 21-yard touchdown, but an onside kick attempt went Miami’s way. The Canes punted moments later, but the Gators could do nothing with their final offensive touches. Driskel was sacked by Anthony Chickillo on first down and a false start penalty on second ran the clock out, making the upset official.
The 21-16 upset over UM’s most-hated, longtime rival deserves celebration. Florida was favored and few expected Miami to prevail. Even fewer would’ve predicted that the Hurricanes’ defense would come up with six clutch turnovers—three forced fumbles, two interceptions and a fourth-down stop—or that that UM’s potent offense would be so ineffective overall.
The lone negative takeaway from Miami’s win over Florida falls on the shoulders of first-year offensive coordinator James Coley, as his bunch did little after putting up two early touchdowns.
Morris passed for 162 yards on the day; 55 of which came in his lone hook up with Dorsett. That drive also produced Miami’s only third down conversion of the day.
The Hurricanes also only ran 53 offensive plays to the Gators’ 77 and lost the time of possession battle, 21:40 to 38:20. The 212 total yards by Miami was it’s lowest output in a Hurricanes win since a 10-7 victory at West Virginia back in 1996.
Offense was supposed to be UM’s strong suit this season, making up for an in-progress defense, but after two games, such is not the case. The win over Florida was highlighted by takeaways while the biggest storyline against Florida Atlantic last week was five sacks as the Hurricanes “only” beat the Owls, 34-6.
Thankfully the solving of the offensive woes can be worked out over the next few weeks. Miami has a week three bye coming up and from there, a home showdown against Savannah State on September 21st. The Hurricanes then hit the road for a September 28th showdown at South Florida before welcoming Georgia Tech to Sun Life Stadium on October 5th for the ACC season opener.
Over the coming weeks, Morris can work out his bugs, get on the same page as his receivers and some capable back ups can see some action.
True freshmen, wide receiver Stacy Coley and running back Gus Edwards, had some touches against Florida Atlantic, but failed to come up big. Coley let two sure-touchdowns fall through his hands, while Edwards was unable to punch in a late score from a yard out, on four straight attempts.
Neither saw the field against Florida, with coaches most-likely believing neither was ready for such a big moment, but both will be worked into the offense sooner than later, and will help provide a spark. Especially the highly-touted Coley, as Dorsett has been noticeably off, and with wideout Rashawn Scott sidelined for upwards of a month with a shoulder injury.
Miami also needs a better option behind Johnson at running back as Dallas Crawford never saw the field and Eduardo Clements did little in limited action.
Offensively, it would be nice to see the Hurricanes getting the ball to Johnson in open space or doing more to make sure receivers are getting touches in situations that will provide more yards after a catch.
On the special teams front, Miami is benefitting from the leg of O’Donnell, who punted eight times for 392 yards against Florida, an average of 49.0 yards-per-kick. O’Donnell had two touchbacks, though the second should’ve been downed on the one-yard line. His long of the day was 60 yards
Unfortunately Miami allowed one punt to be blocked and got little out of Dorsett in the return game (2 returns for 15 yards), while Johnson averaged 18.7 yards per return fielding kickoffs.
Still, entering the bye week, there’s much more good than bad. Miami is 2-0, knocked off rival Florida, is relatively healthy and is getting more out of its defense than expected—especially on the turnover front. Also, now that this game is in the rear view, everyone can exhale for a moment and regroup.
While no one wanted to admit it prior to kickoff, this showdown with Florida was enormous for Miami. Look at the past several years and how many big time moments resulted in colossal letdowns. Just the Al Golden era alone, there was the season opening loss at Maryland year one, marred by the then-recent NCAA bomb that had dropped, as well as half a dozen suspensions.
Miami got past Ohio State the following week, but then lost a heartbreaker to Kansas State on the game’s final play. Beat Bethune-Cookman. Lose late at Virginia Tech. Survive North Carolina and handle Georgia Tech. Fall on Thursday night to Virginia.
Beat Duke, lose to Florida State. Grind out a win over South Florida, lose an uninspired home game to Boston College to end the season, 6-6.
Year two’s storyline proved to be falling flat the bigger the stage. Kansas State, 52-13. Notre Dame, 41-3. Florida State, 33-20. Every time this program had an opportunity to take a step forward, it stumbled and with Florida heading south in game two, there was reason to hope for a win, but no legitimate reason to believe.
Miami has to look back to 2009 to find a win of this caliber; a 21-20 win over No. 8 Oklahoma, with an asterisk, as Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Sam Bradford was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Even with that, the OU win came a week after a 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech, which took some of the shine off of the upset. As did the fact that the Sooners finished the regular season 7-5 without Bradford.
Until Miami officially notched this first signature win of the Golden era, there was going to be a degree of discomfort and question as to when it would finally take place. Thankfully it now has, so the Hurricanes can almost hit “reset” during this bye week. Treat Savannah State as the new opener, a road trip to South Florida as game two and then welcome Georgia Tech south to kick off ACC season.
There’s much to be addressed in the coming weeks, but for now, let the next few days be about the celebration that comes in the wake of beating the Gators, as well as a return to the Top 25 as Miami is now ranked No. 15 after yesterday’s upset.
Congrats to Golden, his staff and these players for a much-needed win.
Now back to the drawing board as ACC play and the “real” season are just around the corner.
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I didn't like Coley's playcalling during the game. Too many times he called plays as if he was scared. Run on 1st and 2nd down, then having to pass on 3rd and long. Almost looked like Patrick Nix out there. Great job by the D, getting turnovers and getting after Driskell and co. When was the last time the defense outplayed the offense? Hopefully the playcalling by JC improves.
I don't think it was "scared" play calling as much as it was mildly conservative. Miami was playing twelfth-ranked Florida - Gators team with a great front seven and overall solid defense.
Miami came out and got a touchdown when taking over midfield after recovering that first fumble and a few drives later went deep with the 52-yard strike from Stephen Morris to Phillip Dorsett. That's not scared football.
MIami got a 14-6 lead on Florida, back in it after the blocked punt / touchdown on their end. I think James Coley wanted to make sure that his guys didn't give anything away.
Morris was noticeably off at times, as was Dorsett. Miami was without Rashawn Scott, still hasn't brought back Malcolm Lewis and wasn't ready to re-inset Stacy Coley after his drops last week. The Canes also need a capable back behind Duke Johnson and it will most-likely be Gus Edwards, once he get some more touches over the next few weeks. Eduardo Clements will get some short yardage attempts, but isn't a breakaway guy and Dallas Crawford is athletic, but doesn't look like he'll be a true go-to running back.
J. Coley has time to work through things. FAU game was a scrimmage where Miami was rusty and UF was a rivalry game where it was simply about survival and playing smart enough to not give it away.
Next week is a bye and then Savannah State at home, followed by a road game at South Florida. Let's see what coaches work on the next few weeks and if these players can get their groove on. I think there was more pressure surrounding this Florida game than anyone wanted to admit. Now that it's in the rear view, everyone can exhale.
It is easy to forget that we won! OC Coley did the right thing and melted the clock with "Nix like 1st and 2nd" but opened it up to get to 21. What about the Bend but Don't break Onofrio? Canes fans can't enjoy wins. Except me. I know Golden and his boys are going to town.
Well said, Ruben. ALL of it. Especially the part about fans being unable to enjoy wins.
Had anyone said months back that Miami would force six turnovers, the defense would hold Florida to 16 points, would lead ALL game and beat the Gators by five ... who WOULDN'T have considered that a dream scenario?
Instead, all this post-game complaining. Offense sucked. Coley didn't open it up. C'mon now. Miami just beat Florida and this program is on the right track. No one is screaming "national championship", but September 7, 2013 was a huge day for Hurricanes fans. Period.
At times I did not like the play calling/selection at all. It seems that we have so much fire power in the passing game that we love going deep way too many times. I recall that OC Fish last year consistently did the same thing during critical times where ball control should have been the emphasis. There were way too many three & outs. We need to emphasize our short passing game a lot more (Tight Ends & Backs out of the backfield). It's a high % play, and we have the tools in place to do it. We definitely controlled the fast tempo game very well and had Florida sucking wind. Now we need to be able to take our foot off the pedal and grind the clock. It was great win for the program.
Really enjoy you blog & commentary, keep up the good work
TO
I understand what you're saying, but that too conservative playcalling kept UF in it because for a good portion of the game Miami wasn't able to do move the ball forward. You saw what happened late in the game when he (Coley) began to mix up the playcalling (i.e. a few passes on first down), we were able to move the ball a bit more, which kept the defense on the field a bit longer. Don't get me wrong, I am not being a pessimist and more than hype we won the game, it's just that the offense was frustrating to watch at times. There is no excuse for a veteran offense with a senior qb to gain like -2 yards for a good portion of the game.
Keith - One of those situations where the win trumps everything else. It was only "too conservative" if Miami lost. The defense was creating turnovers, limiting what the Canes had to do on offense. Safe to say that if Florida pulled to 14-13 or tied things up, the offense would've had a different approach down the stretch.
Also, it's Week 2 and was a showdown against a monster defense with a first-year coordinator. Miami will open it up as the year rolls on. Florida was a game of survival. Just find a way to get it done and the Canes did. We'll see what Coley is able to do over the next few weeks, but would assume the playbook opens up more between now and ACC play.
I will tell you this: That Jenkins Kid #26 outside that bad unsportsman like penalty he got when Tracy Howard receive an int. That kid has great awareness and can play as much I seen on this past Saturday against Florida. I am impressed with him. Our 2 transfers on Dl from Virginia and Wisconsin our great assets for Miami and Tyriq McCord#17 playing as the defense end proved to pay off. #34 Ambrister is big baller and #36 Fig. has niche for big time college football. We might be having something special brewing in Miami. When Miami can get back when if you are a player and is out for some kind of reason and the next player steps in and you might not get your starting position then watch out college world. Miami will back to elite status!! any question about my comment hit me up at sdwilson360@yahoo.com
I disagree. Play calling became VERY predictable and stale after the 1st qtr. Its easy to stop the running back when you know they are going to run. Coley should have used the pass to setup the run once he noticed they were committed to stopping Duke. Yes Florida has a good Dline ,but their linebackers and DB's are average. Coley definitely needs to watch the film and come up with better game plans. Thank goodness the defense is going to be better than everyone thought, or Coley would be taking it on the chin today.
Disagree with that? Where did I state that the defense didn't become predictable?
You say that Coley should've used the pass to set up the run once it - at times he did. Midway through the third quarter, threw on first, second and third down and didn't connect with Hurns, Dorsett or Waters on either.
Previous drive Duke got seven on first down, so Coley went back to well, Duke was stuffed for three-yard loss and Bunche hit with a hold that set up 3rd and 16 instead of manageable 3rd and 6.
Miami was understandably conservative on first two drives of third quarter, based on nature of game. Very obvious that Miami was playing for some field position there and to get its bearings early third quarter. Won't call that wrong or right, but it's not too far fetched in a game like this against a big time foe - second game of year and second for this OC, as well.
On third possession of half, with 4:20 remaining, Coley had Morris throw to Walford for 11 yards on first down. Duke was then stuffed for a loss of six, setting up 2nd and 16 and changing the playcalling. Morris then picked up five with his feet, but was sacked on 3rd and 11, setting up 4th and 22.
Florida the went run-run-incomplete pass for a three-and-out, punted and Miami took over on the ten. Morris hit Waters for an 8-yard pick up on first down and on 2nd and 3, a 36-yard gain by Hurns, instead of trying to run for it. Not conservative, at all.
Duke rushed and lost one on first down. 2nd and 11, Morris to Hurns for 8 yards. 3rd and 3, again no run - Morris instead incomplete to Waters and another punt.
First possession of fourth quarter, Duke runs for nine yards. Hagens then gets seven, carrying for first time on day and Florida didn't see it coming. 1st and 10 from midfield, a hold on Flowers. Sets up 1st and 20 and completely different playcalling.
Incomplete pass to Dorsett ... five yard loss on attempted reverse to Waters (again, not conservative) and Morris picked off by Hargreaves on 3rd and 25 when throwing deep.
There's a myth of conservatism surrounding the supposedly playcalling by Coley in this game, but it really was a lack of execution and untimely penalties or set back that changed up what Miami could, and did, call.
The first two drives of the third quarter could be seen as conservative, but also to feel Florida out to see what changes were made at the half.
Go back and look at the play-by-play. Miami didn't get VERY predictable after he first quarter. That's simply not true.
The Defense deserves so much credit...seriously.
It's a shame because these analysts say Florida "gave" Miami turnovers...they don't say anywhere that the Canes "forced turnovers." So, two defenders didn't actually catch the ball and we didn't force a fumble? Please...
Hats off to the defense again, outstanding!
Offense has a week off, and some time against Sav. St. to improve, which is a really good timing!
Florida is going to get the media love and support as they've been the big time team the past few years. That said, however anyone wants to spin it, the record books shows that Miami won 21-16 and Florida turned it over five times. Let the Gators choke on the loss as the Canes are celebrating and then getting back to work. Lots of football ahead.
I am pretty sure that Coley saw the field quite a bit. #3 Lined up in the Slot a lot but never got thrown to, even though I thought he had a step a couple times.
He might've seen the field, but his number wasn't called and with the two drops against Florida Atlantic and the safe offensive game plan against Florida, that was to be expected.
That was as gutsy a win as iv seen in a LOOOONG time. I was sure these young Canes were gonna blow that lead, but lo and behold those guys dug deep and TOOK the game from Fla. I dont give a s**t what any Gator fans or the media is saying, Miami FORCED those turnovers, they werent given to us. Last year things go differently. Howard probably just bats the ball down rather than picking it clean or McCord just gets the sack and not the fumble. These guys are finding ways to win. Really really good sign.
As for the Offense, yea I deff thought Coley called a slightly too conservative game, however with Fla on the other side of the ball, its easy to understand why, but with that said, the players need to make plays. Period. Dont miss blocks, hit the right gaps, get open, catch the ball, etc etc. Too many times players(on offense at least) didnt make the plays they needed to. Hopefully we can get the offense back on the right track because if that Defense continues to play like they did, holy s**t we could be looking at a really, really solid Canes team.
Miami earned every single turnover it forced. Bar-none. After a few series, both teams defensively were on shut down alert. Miami generated enough points to win and the Gators could not move the ball down the field, except for a few (which even good defenses give up) instances.
Miami and Florida both shut down the opponents running game, and the few good plays that Miami took advantage of, was just what we needed.
I was worried about our team defensively, but after the first two games, we got to the QB, and put pressure on them, and forced much needed turn overs.
Miami cannot afford to have a let down now, Savanah St. doesn't worry me, but a team we shouldn't lose to, we seem to not play a complete game. I hope Al Golden has the team focused on the game at hand, instead of worrying if they are gonna be 7-0 moving to play Florida State.
I honestly think the only team that will beat Miami is themselves. There is no reason that we cannot have a great season and take down Clemson or FSU in the championship game.
Coach needs to keep the team grounded and their heads out of the clouds.
Now that we are ranked, other teams will be bringing their "A" game and try to topple a top 25 team (just ask Kansas St. in week one)
What a great win! Not pretty, but great. It is true that Florida mostly out played Miami between the 20's but much like Penn State in that heartbreaking Fiesta Bowl - The Miami D came up with Big Play after Big Play. I said in a blog comment here that the D would need to make a big play to give the Canes a chance...I didn't think they would make so many. Great win to start the season! The question mark of the team became the exclamation point! Now #15 in the rankings they can correct the offensive issues during the bye week and against Savannah State. This must help recruiting for a class that is already strong. Now if the NCAA would ever end their delays and close out this "Investigation" - only about 12 weeks since the final hearings. Way to go CANES!!!
Great win. No sense in fussing about things when we just beat the #12 ranked team. We and they know what needs to be better and tightened up. Let's enjoy a win for once. We did enough to win - enough said.
I just listened to the Golden interview on WQAM and his very first comment hit me the most and was very telling. He talked about the last 3 years being very hard and there being a lot of negativity around the program.Then he pretty much pointed to the Gators as contributing to a lot of that. That was great to hear from a head coach - just to call them out like that. Despite their negative recruiting against us, they can't twist this win in any way.
Great game by Miami! I think UF sent out a mass email to instruct all their alumns / fans to claim they gave the game away instead of crediting the Miami defense. I watched the replay last night, and while the defense was pretty awesome, the offense had its moments. The first quarter went really well for SteMo and crew, and we just got stuffed once their defense made adjustments and started playing better. I don't think we will see another great defense until we meet up with FSU, so hopefully we get the offensive kinks worked out and continue our (so far) great season.
Well done Canes! The game reminded me of many games from when I was in school from 85-90, we weren't always flashy, but we never played scared either, just like this past Saturday!
What an opportunistic defensive effort. Very impressive!!!
GO CANES!
BT - A lot of back and forth with Florida fans today. Earned my BA in English from UF and old friends and classmates ran their mouths all week, yet were silent or made a TON of excuses today. Even had to drop a few from the ol' Facebook as a result of their ignorance and poor sportsmanship!
At days end, if Florida CREATED six turnovers, those yahoos would be running their mouths about "smashmouth" football, a hard-ass SEC defense and how defense wins championships, etc.
When Miami does it—forcing two interceptions, three fumbles, a huge 4th-and-1 stop, sacks of the quarterback, strips of running backs—Florida clowns pawn it off as luck or sloppy play from their team. Typical Lizards.
Huge win for Miami and with the series now over, Florida can choke on it for a looooooong while. Good stuff.
At the end of the day, Canes got the win. I am not going to complain about how it went down, these types of games can get ugly. The Offense could have played better, but they didn’t have any killer turnovers and stayed the course. The D looked much better and made some big plays, however still needs work in the passing game. I am proud to be a Hurricane Today, let’s keep this thing going and approve each week. GO CANES!!!!!!!