South Florida; Forever A Must-Win Game

A late November loss to South Florida last season proved to be the beginning of the end of Randy Shannon and his era Miami Hurricanes. The Canes fell 23-20 in overtime to the Bulls, going through the motions in what appeared to be a game UM felt it could sleepwalk through and still win.

The previous week Miami entered its showdown with Virginia Tech, sitting at 7-3. The Canes had won back-to-back games against Maryland and Georgia Tech with Stephen Morris under center. The freshman replaced Jacory Harris late October when Harris was injured at Virginia in a loss that knocked Miami out of the ACC race.

The Canes and Hokies entered the fourth quarter tied 17-17, but a two-touchdown knockout punch by Virginia Tech thwarted Miami’s hopes in the 31-17 loss and unfortunately that hangover carried over to the season finale.

It’s impossible to not put a loss like last year’s overtime stunner on the coaching staff. Whenever a Miami, Florida or Florida State welcomes a South Florida, Central Florida, Florida Atlantic or Florida International, it should serve as a wake up call.

The lesser Sunshine State schools are full of kids who couldn’t get into The Big Three and have a bone to pick with the big boys. They are going to treat the match up like their national championship and will go balls out seeking a program-changing, collegiate career-validating victory, whereas the established programs see the game as something lesser and more meaningless than conference games or bigger out-of-conference, nationally-recognized showdowns.

Hurricane coaches flat-out didn’t have Miami mentally ready for South Florida last year, despite more talent and a better team.

In the waning moments, with the game tied 17-17, Harris, back from injury and replacing an ineffective Morris in the second half, had the Canes in position to kick a game-winning field goal, before throwing an interception with five seconds left in regulation.

Harris went 12-of-18 for 110 yards on the day, but the unforgivable interception was the only stat that mattered. Morris finished 8-of-17 for 78 yards, also throwing a crucial pick, his on the opening drive of the third quarter.

Miami entered the second half down, 3-0, but the quick turnover put South Florida in position to score and within minutes the lead jumped to 10-0. The Canes fought back with an eight-yard Lamar Miller run late in the third and a seventy-one yard scamper from the since departed Storm Johnson, giving the Canes a 14-10 lead.

Matt Bosher tacked on an 18-yard field goal, pushing it to 17-10, but South Florida responded with a Bobby Eveld one-yard run to tie it with two minutes remaining. Miami quickly drove the field, but the Harris interception sent it to overtime.

Come overtime, Miami settled for three on its first possession, while running back Demetris Murray, punched in the one-yard score for the 23-20 win.

It was a game of blown chances. Another afternoon where a play here or there was again the difference. Harris’ pick in the waning moments was as detrimental as any, but so was Morris’ as it left points on the field.

Another huge blunder was a momentum-stealing fumble in a scoreless game. After punting its first six possessions, Miami finally got something going, driving fifty-seven yards and facing a 1st-and-Goal from the South Florida one.

Running back Damien Berry was stopped on first down and Morris on second. Come third down, back to Berry, who was hit and fumbled out of the back of the end zone with 3:43 remaining. South Florida then drove seventy-seven yards, settling for three and handing Miami another one of those proverbial ten-point swings in a game when every point counts.

The 2010 affair proved a complete contrast to the Miami squad who showed up in Tampa the previous year, smacking up South Florida to the tune of, 31-10. In 2009, the Canes out-gained the Bulls 401 yards to 220 and won the turnover battle 0-to-2.

The Canes also dominated defensively, while running the ball at will, for 240 total yards. Berry carried 12 times for 114 yards, but got tremendous support from Graig Cooper (16-for-83) and Javarris James (11-for-37), who punched it in twice from a few yards out.

Regarding the 2011 edition of this new “rivalry”, again it begs the question, which Miami team shows up? Will head coach Al Golden and staff have this team prepared and has the message been driven home that South Florida wants what Miami has? After last year’s uncharacteristic loss, this game is one that can never be overlooked again.

Miami enters with a 5-5 record, while South Florida is currently 5-4 and 1-4 in the Big East. While the records appear similar, the level of competition certainly is not. Miami had key losses to some good squads – Kansas State, Virginia Tech and Florida State – while South Florida lost to the likes of Pittsburgh, Connecticut, Cincinnati and Rutgers.

Wins came against Notre Dame, Ball State, Florida A&M, UTEP and Syracuse.

For Miami, this is not only a very winnable game, but again one that now falls into a “must win” category. The Canes are one win from bowl eligibility and that’d be nice to secure here and now, but beyond that, it’s about restoring order.

Skip Holtz took over the South Florida program last season and he will work to build a winner in Tampa. It will be no easy feat as The Big Three reign supreme, with ten national titles between them — five of which reside in Coral Gables. Still, chinks in the armor and winning the small, in-season battles are what will help Holtz and staff on the recruiting trail.

The only threat to The Big Three comes if Miami, Florida and Florida State fail to do their job annually, winning these types of games and keeping the little guys out of the private club and where a loaded Hurricanes team is no match for the Bulls, this is hardly a great UM squad.

Coach Golden has called South Florida’s defensive line the best Miami has faced this year. Maybe that’s an oversell, but fact remains that the Bulls again will come to play. This is their BCS game on Saturday. Despite Miami’s .500 record, it’s about the brand; topping “The U” and earning in-state bragging rights. Beyond that, it’s a feather in the cap of Holtz and staff when sitting across from a recruiting and attempting to sell the notion that South Florida is on the rise and will someday compete with The Big Three.

5-5 remains disheartening, but as stated here often, the Hurricanes have shown tremendous fight in every game this season.

Maryland can be forgiven as Miami was short-handed due to suspensions, making for a rough road opener. Kansas State can even be forgiven as it came down to a yard and the Wildcats have proven to be a better team this year than most thought.

Virginia Tech hurt, but again, down 21-7, Miami clawed back and took a late lead. The defense failed when it had the opportunity to get that final stop, but putting up 35 points and 519 total yards on a stout Hokies defense and solid program at least gave the Canes something to take from the heartbreaking loss.

Losses to Virginia and Florida State are bit more unforgivable as they fall into that “Miami didn’t lost, it beat itself”category. Yes the Canes showed heart in both cases, but again, never should’ve been in that position and gave both games away on a platter.

That can’t be the case this weekend. Regarding the Miami and Florida State rivalry, each side is going to get their wins and losses. When it’s South Florida on the other sideline, it should always be a one-sided affair.

Miami gave one away last season. Time for Golden’s squad to rise up and take the power back. – C.B.

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