Bryan Pata 17, Boston College 14

Take my emotions, throw ’em in a blender and hit “puree” right now. Talk about a rollercoaster of an evening and a season.

Random thoughts which are running through my mind tonight:

>>> Happy Thanksgiving. Anyone who didn’t appreciate today, look no further than the highlights of tonight’s game. Jeanette Pata and some siblings on the field. Friends and family holding up Bryan Pata’s #95 away jersey. Players touching it for inspiration or just for a second, to feel like they were patting their fallen teammate, brother and friend on the back one more time.

Anyone you know and love, hopefully you enjoyed some quality time tonight. We’re not promised tomorrow.

The Patas and this group of Hurricanes would give anything to see Bryan once more. Especially on a day like today. Appreciate those you love. Nothing more, nothing less.

>>> Larry Coker, Larry Schmoker. Today wasn’t about the embattled sixth year coach or his job security.

Miami lost two straight since Pata was murdered. This was the first home game since his last time suiting up (Virginia Tech.) The Canes came into the Orange Bowl tonight and they knew what they were up against.

Coaching rumors swirling, four straight losses, injuries, work ethic and heart being questioned, etc. Boston College came to town to win a game and take one step closer to an ACC title game berth. Miami squashed that right out…

>>> … and what sweetens the pot isn’t the fact that the Eagles are now 0-15 against the Canes since the gnat lauched the overrated pass in college football history.

It wasn’t even the salt in the wound when ESPN stuck Doug Flutie – sans the ’84 mullet – in the booth tonight. Nah. This was karma. Sweet revenge. Justice. A prayer answered. Whatever you say when the stars are aligned and both sides get what they deserved.

A portion of Boston College’s online fan base acted like pure scum after Pata’s murder. Check out the message boards. You can still find some of that anti-Miami venom floating around out there.

They called us, “Thug U” and trashed some good kids. Others said this is what happens when you recruit hoodlums.

This was all about Pata. I believe in my heart of hearts he was looking down on the OB tonight. Guardian Angel or however you view it, his presence was felt. The Orange Revolution had their banners hanging in the end zone and at night’s end, one was on the OB turf being prayed over, cried on post game by Pata’s teammates. For a moment, he was there again.

The lesson? Respect The U. Whether 5-6 or 11-0, We’re still Miami.

This season has been tragic, but don’t count out these kids’ ability to rise up. These Canes were 0-for-2 in games dedicated to Pata with one shot left; at home. You hadn’t heard the last fromm Miami. Third time proved to be the charm and they gave #95 the only gift they could; a win in his honor.

>>> Will tomorrow be D-Day for Coker? We’ll see. He was jovial and fired up tonight. Was that faux hope or does he know something we don’t? Is he returning? Or is this a man so strong in his faith that no matter what the outcome, he was going out with a bang tonight and appreciates his time at Miami?

CaneSport is reporting an 11am ET press conference and has boldly state that Coker will be let go. We’ll see.

Still, say what you will about Larry Coker “the coach” – Larry Coker “the man” again proved he’s a class act.

If he’s relieved of his head coaching duties, I pray that the University of Miami finds another role for him. This program needs him in some capacity. He’s one of the better ambassadors The U has ever seen. He’s given 12 years of blood, sweat and tears to this program and truly adores UM. I just don’t believe he’s our best head coaching option, moving forward.

As my spinning head and turkey-bloated gut hit the sack tonight, I truly pray for a new direction regarding Miami Football. I hope this is that turning point. I can’t take 6-6 or worse. It’s time for a rebirth. Come on up for The Rising.

I stated day’s ago that if Coker’s firing depended on tonight’s game, I wanted a loss. Once you lose five games, it’s time to focus on next year. For the greater good of The U, I felt a loss tonight solidified chance.

Tonight, that seems secondary. Of course, tomorrow morning is another story.

When that clock hit 0:00, I was thrilled the Canes pulled out 17-14. It’s Thanksgiving. Pata and our kids deserved it. If it is Coker’s last stand, then let him go out the same way he came in; on top. We’ve lost too much this season – on and off the field. Everyone who bleeds orange and green – we deserved a win tonight. If for nothing else, just to remember what it feels like.

Come Friday, I feel the Coker odds are at 75% regarding getting canned in the next day or so. Entering today, I had those odds at 90%. Will he now get the sentimental vote and benefit of the doubt, saving his job? I have no clue. With our admin, I have a better shot at tonight’s Fantasy Five than determining the fate of this head coach. Ryhme or reason haven’t proven to be Dee or Donna Shalala’s strong suits as of late.

Tomorrow is tomorrow and we’ll see how it plays out. Cross your fingers… toes… legs… Should Coker return, we’ll have 365 more days to piss and moan to no avail.

I started a piece this morning, “An Ode to Larry on Coker Eve” but family, in laws, two dinners and some football kept me from finishing. A Miami win puts that article on the shelf for when the time is right. Be that Friday… or 2008.

Tonight, we need to let this one be all about Bryan Pata and our kids’ effort to honor him. As I wrote weeks back, I never met Pata – yet the past 2+ weeks I’ve thought about him several times a day. It consumes me and I’m a stranger. I can’t even imagine how torn up his friends and family are today.

Our Canes lost back-to-back games after his death. How much pressure do you think they put on themselves to win tonight? They failed him their last two outings – falling short at Maryland and running out of gas the Virginia week. Miami willed themselves to this win for Pata. They weren’t going to be denied a tribute to #95 on senior night, in what would’ve been his final home game.

Faced with their biggest challenge in weeks – backs to the wall – Miami got it done when it counted. ESPN. National TV. The ultimate family day. As cliche as it sounds, tonight will bring everyone some closure. Or at least one step closer to finding some.

Meaningless in the record books or on the scoreboard? Absolutely.

Indelible in the minds of every Cane missing Bryan Pata on Thanksgiving? Have another look at the photo accompanying this story. Our kids wanted to honor their fallen brother.

Tonight, they made him proud. Job well done, Canes.

.:Canes305:.

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