The Miami Hurricanes and Florida A&M Rattlers seem to cross paths every few seasons with a similar narrative and storyline. The five-time national champion powerhouse is in need of a proper warm-up screaming early in the season, while the underdog from the panhandle emulates itself after big brother, hoping someday to make it competitive.
Two years back, Miami prevailed, 41-7. In 2010, a 45-0 lopsided affair. This time around, a 70-3 drubbing fueled by three running backs with 100-plus yards on the day—the first time that feat has been accomplished at UM since 1987 and only the third 70-plus point game in half a century.
Based on some slow starts for the Canes over the year, an impressive-enough on-paper victory for the home team—complete with a first-class experience at the freshly-renovated and newly-dubbed Hard Rock Stadium. All that coupled with a mostly injury-free four quarters made for a solid opening weekend and start of the Mark Richt era.
Canes Coming In Hot For Home Opener
To Miami’s credit, it pounced early—Corn Elder picking off Kenneth Coleman on 3rd-and-11 of the opening drive—which the Canes converted to a touchdown three plays later. Brad Kaaya found Marquez Williams for the four-yard score, though running back Mark Walton did the heavy living with a 25-yard run.
Walton–with Joseph Yearby and Gus Edwards—combined for 327 yards and four scores on 29 carries, while Kaaya was a respectable 12-0f-18 for 135 yards and four touchdowns, before yielding to Malik Rosier, who game-managed the final quarter and a half.
While under center, Kaaya spread the ball around to nine different options—no receiver hauling in more than two grabs, with Chris Herndon topping the bunch with 42 yards receiving.
Up 28-0 at the half, Miami posted seven touchdowns in the third quarter before cruising to victory with a quiet fourth. Walton tore off a 37-yard run, followed by a two-play scoring drive; Yearby going for 21 yards, setting up a 15-yard strike from Kaaya to freshman Ahmmon Richards.
Kaaya tracked down Stacy Coley for the four-yard score minutes later and after a three-and-out, Braxton Berrios returned a punt 41-yard for a quick six.
An interception by Adrian Colbert put Miami in FAMU territory, where Rosier hit Standish Dobard for a 15-yard pick-up, before scampering 19 yards to the end zone a play later. Edwards tore off a 74-yard touchdown the ensuing drive, closing out the third quarter.
The Canes should’ve tacked on another in the fourth, but fourth string running back Travis Homer fumbled in the end zone, the ball recovered by the Rattlers for a touchback.
For those rolling out of Hard Rock, or others seeing that 70-3 final score cruise by on the ESPN ticker, the reaction should’ve been the same.
Good. Nothing more and nothing less.
Everything To Be Taken In Stride
Routing Florida A&M certainly doesn’t warrant over-praise—anymore than “only scoring 41 last time around should bring criticism. Collect the “W”, file it under “win” and immediately move on to Florida Atlantic. Wash, rinse, repeat and avoid a trap game at Appalachian State before diving into the meat of the ACC schedule.
Furthermore, simply appreciate teeing off on a patsy as Week One of the college football season was less-than-kind to many who faced stiffer competition.
No. 3 Oklahoma getting upset by No. 15 Houston. No. 9 Tennessee needing a missed extra point and overtime to survive Miami’s week-three foe, the Mountaineers.
No. 5 LSU stifled by Wisconsin at Lambeau Field. Mississippi State missing a game-winning field goal against South Alabama … and that was just three days into five straight days of college ball.
Sunday delivered an Instant Classic when Texas held on in double overtime to topple tenth-ranked Notre Dame in Austin, while Monday night answered with No. 11 Ole Miss blowing a 28-6 lead to fourth-ranked Florida State; outscored 39- 6 down the stretch.
Sitting back after that whirlwind, the only stat that matters in the aftermath—1-o versus 0-1. Not that Miami even had a mathematical chance to lose to Florida A&M , but with a 12-game season and needing to get warmed up for conference play, it’s a nice little confidence-builder and notch on the belt.
The Tired Ol’ One-Game-At-A-Time Adage Applies
Looking at the remaining schedule, Miami will lose—one game, two, three or more, time will tell—but it will happen. The Richt Effect will pay dividends in the long run—and even in the short—but the Canes need more overall depth, talent, experience and a revamping of the ol’ core values and attitude before becoming a true contender again.
Alabama pantsed Southern Cal, setting the Trojans a few years back psychologically with that ass-kicking. Clemson survived a quality SEC foe in Auburn, while Florida State flexed its muscle with an epic comeback against a quality foe.
Ohio State, Michigan, Stanford, Michigan State, TCU, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State, Baylor and Oregon—business as usual for good teams that have been making some noise the past several years.
Miami eked its way into the Top 25 this week—due more to those who lost, than the pasting the Canes slapped on the Rattlers. It marks the first time “The U” has been ranked since late in the 2013 season, so it should be appreciated. That said, the view from the bottom should be somewhat daunting and humbling as there’s a lot of real estate to cover if the Canes want to climb two dozen rungs higher.
Booting two defenders pre-season, losing linebacking depth after a season-ending injury to a back up (get well soon, Jamie Gordinier) and recently learning that two more defenders are sidelined due to injury for the showdown with the Owls (defensive back Adrian Colbert and defensive end Courtel Jenkins)—yet another reminder that it’ll be hard-fought season and road back.
Richt’s impact will get this thing back on track—but it’s going to take some breaks from the football gods, a healthy squad and those next-men-in overachieving for year one to be the solid leap forward a hungry fan base is clamoring for.
Next Up: Florida Atlantic (1-0) at No. 25 Miami (1-0)
Where: Hard Rock Stadium — Miami Gardens, Florida
When: Saturday September 10th — 6:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN3
Radio: ESPN West Palm 106.3 FM