Motivation can be found in difference places, random moments and at times, seemingly out of nowhere. Those “light switch” moments, where everything changes in an instant, courses are replotted and new destinations reached.
The Miami Hurricanes limped into this weekend’s showdown with Cincinnati, still smarting from a humbling loss at Georgia Tech, yet bounced back, putting up a season-high point total, an ungodly amount of yards (621) and playing with some energy in the convincing, 55-34 victory.
The Bearcats’ defense entered the weekend ranked 126th in yards allowed per game (562)—121st against the pass and 123rd versus the run—meaning “The U” went out and did precisely what it was supposed to do against this type of opponent, which hasn’t always been the case as of late.
Weeks back, Miami was rolled up at Nebraska, but showed a renewed attitude in a win over Duke, only to backslide in Atlanta days later—a disastrous blow as the loss to the Yellow Jackets was the Canes’ second conference loss of the season.
Still, Miami is proving that when it does come together, blocks out distractions and executes—playing with purpose and passion—the Hurricanes aren’t as bad as their record indicates.
Much to the chagrin of many, the Hurricanes do remain in rebuild mode (which is another topic in itself, but for the sake of this piece, will leave that statement as-is.) The program is relearning how to be a winner again and part of that process is accentuating the positives—measuring even the smallest steps.
Twice this season Miami has come back strong from lopsided, soul-crushing losses—the spirited effort against Duke, post-Nebraska and now this most-recent victory over Cincinnati, one week after losing the ball-control battle to Georgia Tech.
With each loss, the noise also grows louder and this team tries to block out the distractions—fully aware the heat on the coaching staff, the fact the natives are restless (and not showing up) and that the overall pressure mounts, in the midst of a ten-year drought.
This past weekend the Hurricanes blocked all of that out—as well as the limp, small-minded banner that flew pre-game, calling out maligned head coach Al Golden and requesting his dismissal.
Within hours of that fan-fueled statement, the Miami made one of its own as the offense put together its most-explosive showing (against an FBS opponent) in over a decade, while the defense played aggressive, minimized mistakes and forced three key turnovers in the rout.
BIG LESSONS FOUND IN SMALL PACKAGES
The Hurricanes also found some unexpected motivation this week in the form of Carter Hucks—an 8-year old from Charleston, SC who spent the week shadowing Miami, by way of the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Hucks is battling Fanconi Anemia—a rare disorder that can lead to cancer and bone marrow failure. The disease stopped Hucks from playing football this season and he’s awaiting a bone marrow procedure, though he’s still connected to the game by rooting on the Hurricanes—his family’s favorite team.
Despite his size and stature, Hucks was truly the Big Man On Campus this week—rocking his No. 8 jersey, emulating his hero Duke Johnson.
Hucks was also taken under the wing of Denzel Perryman, participated in practice drills, had a pre-game press conference, led the Canes out of the smoke, watched from the sidelines and received the game ball, by way of Johnson, who promised it to Hucks if he scored, which he did—an 80-yarder on Miami’s second possession, a pivotal moment on the heels of a sack and false start stalling the Canes’ opening drive.
Johnson finished with 162 yards on ten carries, putting on his best performance of the season with his little buddy mesmerized by every run.
While it’s been way-too-easy to get caught up in the minutiae of this season’s setbacks, Hucks’ presence proved the ultimate equalizer, reset button and about-face moment these coaches, players and especially the fans, needed.
Nothing makes losses and moronic banners seem more trivial than seeing a kid’s dream come true as an honorary member of the U Family this week.
“Being a Hurricane is fun,” Hucks told the media.
From the mouths of babes. Let those five simple words serve as a reminder to us all during these frustrating times.
JOHNSON, YEARBY, KAAYA AND DORSETT FUEL OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION
While Johnson did his part in getting the party started early, Miami’s offense continued to roll. A drive later, it was true freshman Joe Yearby with a 21-yard run on 2nd-and-10 from midfield, setting up the eventual 14-yard strike from Brad Kaaya to Clive Walford, helping Miami reclaim the lead.
The 14-7 score held up until early in the second quarter when offensive coordinator James Coley showed some zigging and zagging in his play calling, keeping the Bearcats off-balance, leading to another Hurricanes’ touchdown.
Facing a 1st-and-25 after a chop block, Yearby tore off a 22-yarder, followed by Johnson getting a yard on second down.
Facing a 3rd-and-2 from the Bearcats’ 28-yard line, with Johnson in the backfield and fullback Walter Tucker brought into the game, the entire stadium expected run. Instead, a perfectly executed play action fake, with Kaaya hitting Phillip Dorsett in stride for the 28-yard touchdown.
Lost in the shuffle the past few weeks, Dorsett was back in a big way and nabbed three receptions for 143 yards, with two scores. An early first quarter 36-yard grab on third down eventually lead to the Walford haul-in, while Dorsett’s final act of the day was a 79-yarder for a touchdown on 1st-and-10 late in the third quarter, extending Miami’s lead to, 41-13.
As for the the guy distributing the ball around, another step forward maturity-wise and all around solid effort from the true freshman quarterback. Kaaya got support from his run game, solid blocking from his line and capitalized on both, going 17-of-24 on the day, for 286 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.
Defensively the Hurricanes were far from flawless, but one would be remised to not acknowledge a more aggressive overall game plan, fired-up play and the three forced turnovers—none bigger than an acrobatic interception by Tyriq McCord, setting an early second half tone.
Leading 24-10 after two, Cincinnati received the ball at the start of the third quarter and two plays in found disaster when Gunner Kiel coughed up his second of three picks on the day.
Looking for veteran receiver Mekale McKay, Kiel jammed it into triple coverage and the tipped ball wound up in McCord’s hands, where he bobbed, weaved and tightroped his way to a 46-yard touchdown, giving the Canes a 31-10 lead, putting the game out of reach, for all intents and purposes.
Kiel gave up a first quarter interception to Ladarius Gunter on a grossly overthrown ball and let another go early fourth quarter, which Raphael Kirby came down with. Two plays later, third-string running back Gus Edwards tore off a 40-yard touchdown run—proving to be the Canes’ final score on the day.
Kiel got his, airing it out 57 times, with 31 completions, 355 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, the Bearcats proved harmless, with the Canes’ holding them to 67 yards on 29 attempts.
Miami also had a much better outing time-of-possession-wise, holding the ball for 28:46, despite a handful of quick-strike scores. Third down efficiency still lacked, with the Hurricanes going 3-of-10 on the day and now an inexplicable 18-of-73 on the season—a stat that will cost Miami at some point down the road if the trend isn’t reversed.
“US AGAINST THE WORLD” IN PLAY DUE TO OUTSIDE NOISE
With five remaining games—all ACC showdowns and four against Coastal Division foes—the intensity is ratcheted up a notch. All eyes are certainly on a mid-November home showdown against Florida State, but Miami’s faces a monster milestone before then; a Thursday night road game against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg a week from Thursday.
The Hurricanes have only topped the Hokies twice at Lane Stadium since 1995—a two-point victory with the eventual 2001 national champion squad and a 2005 blowout when both programs were in the top five. Since then, some disastrous, season-defining losses.
Much like Georgia Tech had an off week to prepare for Miami early November, Hurricanes’ coaches have an extra week to game plan for the Hokies and absolutely must capitalize.
Defensively there were certainly highlights against Cincinnati—but there were also some inexplicable moments where Miami only rushed three and Kiel surgically picked apart the middle of the field and the secondary.
There was also a second half communication breakdown between Dallas Crawford and Jamal Carter (while Jermaine Grace also seemed indecisive in his coverage) that lead to a 45-yard touchdown and another occasion where defensive end Trent Harris was in coverage on an almost-score, where Kiel found his man between two Hurricanes, but the receiver came down out of bounds.
None of these blunders cost Miami as the offense was on fire, but those are the types of mistakes that haunted this team in losses earlier this year and can be difference-makers in Blacksburg.
Virginia Tech remains in the thick of the Coastal Division race and always a soundly-coached bunch, will show up prepared. Will Miami? Seems to be the million dollar question every week. The Canes have also lost four consecutive road games.
From there, what looks like a winnable home game against Coastal cellar-dweller North Carolina, before hosting Florida State (11/15), trekking to Virginia (11/22)—always a tough road matchup for the Canes—and welcoming Pittsburgh (11/29) for the home finale.
With the Hurricanes firing like the have sporadically this season, every game is winnable. That said, inconsistency has been the name of the game and until Miami proves itself, doubt is cast and question remains.