Miami v. FAMU: Upsides & Attempt At Positivity

Five days later, Miami’s loss at Louisville isn’t any easier to accept or swallow. The Hurricanes let a winnable game get away, setting themselves in an 0-1 hole conference-wise.

Even worse, a true freshman quarterback who needed a confidence boost didn’t get one and a coaching staff that needed a win in the court of public opinion, took yet another lump and will need more than wins against Florida A&M and Arkansas State—Miami’s next two foes—to earn a vote of confidence.

With so much trending negatively for the Hurricanes since Monday night’s loss, there at least needs to be an attempt at positivity. Six days into September and eleven games remaining, safe to say a lot of football is left to be played.

Expectations-wise, Miami was never slated to play for a national championship this year, so it’s not as if lofty expectations have been dashed. The goal for 2014 was to break in a new quarterback, improve on defense, get the most out of offensive playmakers and to make a run at an ACC Championship game in a weakened Coastal Division.

All are still in reach and despite any qualms with game day coaching efforts and season-opening let downs—both of which were in full-force at Louisville—there were some positives to be taken. With a home opener underway later today, no better time to put a cap on the negativity for a few hours than now and to support the Hurricanes as the work out some kinks—and frustration—against the Rattlers of Florida A&M.

True freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya received a baptism by fire on the road Monday night. A full-blown “blackout”, some big hits and rocking stadium were hard to overcome—as was conservative play calling by Hurricanes coaches, who boasted full confidence in No. 15, but didn’t back that up by letting the kid do his thing.

A home game against a smaller FBS program is a great way to let Kaaya gain some confidence and better his timing with receivers. Miami coaches never let Kaaya go deep on Monday night, relegating him to dump offs or quick passes to speedy receivers in the flats.

Kaaya had big time, back-to-back throws to tight end Clive Walford late second quarter, the latter resulting in a touchdown.

Early third quarter, offensive coordinator James Coley opened with three consecutive runs. After a quick Canes-forced turnover and possession on the Cards’ eight-yard line, two more runs and an inexplicable end-around—never once giving Kaaya a chance to make something happen.

Kaaya was technically Miami’s quarterback in the opener—but coaches treated him more like a game manager and hand-off machine.

Tonight against Florida A&M, Kaaya will get to spread the ball around and hopefully look more like the kid who owned Greentree Practice Field last month—opposed to the deer in headlights he was in the road opener.

Kaaya aside, safe to expect senior transfer Jake Heaps to get some reps today. Neck-and-neck with Kaaya for the starting job, Miami coaches chose youth over experience—despite signing Heaps over the summer and expecting him to compete, citing him as the picture of maturity.

Had Kaaya come out and played like the practice field stud he was the past few weeks (which was only possible if the offensive line showed up and coaches showed some faith, putting him in position to make plays), things are trending positively this week.

Because of his noticeable inexperience, Heaps deserves some reps today. There’s also Ryan Williams waiting in the wings, recovering from a torn ACL and making that “game manager” option look more desirable as Kaaya’s inexperience will continue being exposed throughout the season.

Kaaya needs all the reps he can get today, but coaches can’t forget about Heaps—who may have his number called sooner than later, should Kaaya progress slowly.

Despite being hailed as a strength off the offense, Miami’s line had a putrid showing at Louisville. Taylor Gadbois and Danny Isadora single-handedly cost the Hurricanes double-digit points, while there was miscommunication across the entire line.

Fact remains, Louisville stacked the box, shut down the running game, dared Miami to throw and the Hurricanes had zero confidence in their rookie passer to do so, resulting in offensive chaos.

Miami will get a chance to exhale today and the offensive line—after taking last week’s loss to heart—should be a crisper unit, working out the kinks and garnering some momentum.

With the passing game non-existent last week, this will be the first look fans get at Miami’s explosive receiving corps.

Erasing the grabs that Herb Waters got in garbage time, behind tight end Walford, Miami’s leading receiver was Phillip Dorsett, who had one reception for 39 yards while Stacy Coley was shut down completely, with three receptions for nine yards.

No better way to shake off last week’s dismal offensive performance than with some big time throws, catches and highlights today.

Look for Miami coaches to let Kaaya air it out a bit in order to help both he and the receivers find a groove, with the offensive line getting a necessary assist by way of some improved pass protection.

Defensively, Miami was more aggressive against Louisville, created some turnovers and held tough until midway through the fourth quarter. Much like the bowl game against Louisville, a strong effort on that side of the ball was wasted when the offense wasn’t able to set a tone.

Lots of youth and inexperience on the defensive line. True freshman Courtel Jenkins had a good game, as did JUCO transfer Calvin Heurtelou, while newbies Trent Harris and Chad Thomas also saw some action.

These guys, as well as Demetrius Jackson and Anthony Moten, all need a FAMU-like opponent to keep getting reps and making plays. Same to be said for inexperienced linebackers like Jermaine Grace and Juwon Young.

While a showdown against the Rattlers doesn’t overexcite the fan base—it’s the type of games these new kids need super-early in the season.

Fans haven’t seen running back Duke Johnson in his zone since a 168-yard, two touchdown performance against Wake Forest late last October. A week later Johnson broke his ankle at Florida State and missed the five final game of the season.

Against Louisville, 20 carries for 90 yards and no scores—stifled by the Cardinals’ defense all night. Today with Florida A&M across the line, No. 8 will re-find a groove, electrify the crowd and get himself one game closer to a primetime showdown at Nebraska, where the nation will get a chance to see what he’s all about.

Gus Edwards and Joe Yearby will also get theirs today, as the Hurricanes look to solidify back-up roles, establishing a one-two punch so it’s not all on Johnson again this season.

Lastly, it’s game day—simply put. 365 days a year and only a dozen of them are dedicated to the actual game that folks ramble about the other 353. Sub-par play and too much free time, combined with the no-rules playground that is the internet and message board culture—it’s a bad news breeding ground.

While it’s wishful thinking to hope that for four hours today, folks can tune in and enjoy the first home game since last November, without reverting to the “we suck” and “worst staff in the nation” posts on the opening drive—fact is there will be tens of thousands of diehard Canes fans in attendance at Sun Life today, supporting this team and making the most of a college football Saturday.

The venom will return tomorrow, but for today, at least attempt to pump the brakes at about 7:00 p.m. ET.

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