Miami sits at 1-2 after a heartbreaking loss to Kansas State last weekend. Next up, what should be a slam dunk win against a lesser opponent. That said, Bethune-Cookman will roll into Sun Life treating Saturday’s nationally-televised ESPN U showdown as if it’s their Super Bowl. How will Miami respond, who will be back in the line up for the Canes and how will Al Golden and staff have their kids prepared entering game four? Check out the latest at ‘The U’.
A recent Miami Herald article stated that the Kansas State loss hit the Miami players so hard that seniors Sean Spence, Jacory Harris and JoJo Nicolas left the locker room in deep discussion regarding how the Canes turn things around. What they came up with went unreported, though.
Whatever was discussed, it’s hardly rocket science that UM’s defense has been putrid stopping the run all season. The Canes rank 99th in the nation regarding run defense, having just come off a 265-yard performance by the Wildcats. Miami is giving up an average of just under 200 yards per game in three match ups this year.
Coach Golden and defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio have blamed the issues on guys “freelancing” – which sounds like the same complaint Randy Shannon and staff had the past few years with guys not playing “assignment football”.
“Just do what you’ve been trained to do. Don’t all of a sudden get out there in the game and jump out of your gap or do something different,”said D’Onofrio.
“Any great defense over the course of history has an attitude where guys are not selfish, not concerned with making plays themselves. They’re concerned with being in the gap they’re supposed to be in, doing their job — even if they’re not going to make the tackle. Against a team like Kansas State that was running all kinds of option, you needed it more so than ever.”
Against Ohio State, Miami scored a 90 according to D’Onofrio – a 24-6 win where only six tackles were missed and the Buckeyes never reached the end zone. That said, OSU came in one-dimensional, with no passing game and UM was able to sell out on stopping the run. That wasn’t the case with Kansas State as quarterback Collin Klein hurt Miami with his arm, legs, head and heart.
The Canes can over-think it, the coaches can grade it out and make changes, but whatever the case, something stinks defensively and must be changed.
Yes, Miami is down a few defensive linemen. Curtis Porter, UM’s top backup at the position, is out for the year, while Olivier Vernon is halfway through his six-game suspension. The Canes will also be without Luther Robinson and Jalen Grimble this week, which hurts the overall depth.
In the secondary Ray-Ray Armstrong will miss this weekend’s showdown with Bethune-Cookman – his fourth straight game due to suspension – but will return next week for a road game at Virginia Tech.
Regarding those who are playing, there is a definite motivation question that needs to be answered. True freshman Anthony Chickillo has earned his way into the starting line up while senior Adewale Ojomo has been bumped. Ojomo not only missed the first game of this season (due to suspension), but was out all of 2009 with a broken jaw and was supposed to go next level this year, building on a pretty good junior campaign.
Freshmen beating out seniors gives you hope in the future, but doesn’t make you feel all that good about the present. You want to see this senior class going balls-out with its final shot to win some games and leave a mark. After this weekend a third of this young season is over.
Time to (cliche alert) dig deep and find a way to turn this around. Miami is a few plays from being 3-0, but is instead 1-2. A tough road lies ahead. All winnable games, but not the way Miami has finished in two of three contests thus far.
To the point about losing games and needing to reverse the curse, current Miami seniors need to leave this program in better shape than they received it and that starts with winning as it impacts the recruiting game.
UM had its first recruiting “casualty” this week when Lake Gibson defensive end Trent Taylor backed out of his verbal commitment and instead pledged to Tennessee.
Taylor blamed potential penalties that loom even though all has been quiet on that front. The only change at ‘The U’ as of late was 0-0 becoming 1-2 in a matter of weeks.
Losing ballgames in 2011 can do as much damage – if not more – than probation and lost scholarships. Coaches and players can’t control what the NCAA does or doesn’t hand down, but UM remains in full control over the next nine games of its schedule.
Get some wins and recruits will stay on board. Lose and potential NCAA sanctions are the perfect scapegoat to bail on a verbal.
One upperclassmen who is making the most of his final season and is finally stepping up; Tommy Streeter. All the talk of LaRon Byrd and Travis Benjamin shining this year and instead it’s been the off-the-grid Streeter stealing headlines.
When interviewed earlier this week, Streeter was asked why now, after not seeing the field much the past few seasons. “I’d say, not taking anything away from the old staff, but I felt those guys had their guys that they felt confident in,” Streeter said.
And so it goes. More talk about the old coaches playing favorites.
In three games Streeter has ten receptions for 130 yards and a touchdown. In three years combined he had sixteen grabs for 286 yards and a score. Streeter only trails Allen Hurns (12 receptions, 159 yards, two touchdowns) and all wideouts working under receivers coach George McDonald have limited drops (three on the year) and are finally making their presence felt.
Freshmen Philip Dorsett and Reshawn Scott have also made some plays the past few weeks, all of which combined are helping make up for the absence of Leonard Hankerson.
The only area of the passing game not getting it done is tight end. Chase Ford, Asante Cleveland and Clive Walford have combined for six catches for 48 yards thus far. Golden puts it on what the defenses are giving, as well as execution. Are guys running the right route, the right depth and are quarterbacks getting protection and being precise with their passes?
Walford had a touchdown called back against Ohio State, as well as a shot at a game-winning score on the final drive versus Kansas State last weekend, while Ford had a big grab down the stretch that kept Miami’s offense moving.
Regardless, no one has stepped up a la Jimmy Graham a few years back and without more tight end play, Miami’s offense is without a big time weapon. Here’s hoping that an issue soon corrected.
This weekend’s depth chart has been released and outside of Chickillo getting the start at right defensive end over Ojomo, some other changes.
Seantrel Henderson will return from back surgery and is listed as back up right tackle to Jon Feliciano. Brandon Washington will remain starter at left tackle, for now.
Streeter and Byrd as listed as co-back up to Hurns at starting wide receiver while Andrew Smith or Marcus Robinson will be starting defensive end on Saturday.
On the injury front, Jacory Harris was wearing a protective sleeve on his non-turowing shoulder days back while Spence and defensive tackle Micanor Regis sported similar braces. Running back Lamar Miller didn’t wear a yellow no-contact jersey this week and is expected to play against Bethune-Cookman though he was said to be banked up late against Kansas State.
Some have commented on Miller not getting the running reps on the final goal line set of down against the Wildcats, but there should be no conspiracy theory.
Mike James is the “Smash” of the self-dubbed “Smash & Dash” duo and it was James who got those final short-yard carries against Ohio State, punching in the exclamation point against the Buckeyes, so it made complete sense that No. 5 was in the backfield when in need of a few yards late against Kansas State.
Get out to Sun Life this weekend for the 3:30pm ET kickoff. While Bethune-Cookman doesn’t have the sizzle of a marquee name like Ohio State, it will be your last Canes home game until an October 22nd showdown with Georgia Tech.
Beyond that, the Canes need some love. This attitude of “win first and then we’ll come” is bogus. There are fifty-two weekends a year and Miami football is on the docket for a mere seven of them.
Think back to those dog days of summer or boring winter or spring weekends when the Canes are an afterthought. You’re relegated to watching old games on the DVR or visiting message boards just to get a UM football fix. For four hours this Saturday, despite the opponent, the Canes will run out of the smoke and football will take place.
A reported 43,786 showed up for Kansas State last weekend and when re-watching the replay on TV, it looked like half that.
Empty seats can’t ever be blamed for a loss … but when you’re the home team, don’t ever underestimate the twelfth man effect. There were many third down stands against the Wildcats where the Canes sure as hell could’ve used some hometown support.
Head down to Sun Life, root Miami on to a win and at 2-2 send your Canes on a tough road trip with some love and support from the 305. These kids deserve it.
Lastly, longtime announcer Jay Rokeach is callling his final Canes game this weekend. Rokeach has been the public address announcer for all things UM almost three decades now and will be stepping out of the football booth for a new job with the Florida Panthers.
Show up for Jay and stay tuned for a Rokeach-related write up from The Beast in the next day or so as he has tons to say about the UM legend.
A very good and informative blog but the one serious problem I have with it and others who share the view of, “Show up to the game even if we’re not that good.” To ask a fan to pay for parking, tickets, food, souvenirs, etc. and to continually look at a product on the field that is not acceptable (stupid penalties, bad interceptions, poor tackling, etc.) is a poor statement on your part to say. The last time I checked a recession is still going on and fans of sports have to be very selective on how and where to spend their extra dollars. The athletes have to do their part to keep the fans wanting to support them. Seems like many of them are living in the past of the great Canes that have gone and expect the same love. Like the old saying…..What Have You Done For Me Lately
A-Mack – Respect your point regarding the entertainment dollar … but regarding the product on the field, Miami has played two home games this year. They beat Ohio State and were one-yard away from a thrilling comeback against Kansas State.
No one is ‘asking’ fans to do any of those things … but if you consider yourself a fan, that’s sort of an obligation – supporting the team through thick and thin. You can’t base your “fandom” on wins and losses. Look at stadiums nationwide every week. Win or lose, the house is packed in places where fans live and breathe with their program.
We know that will never be the case at Miami … but you’d hope that in a city that big (and one whose NFL franchise is garbage right now) that football loving fans would send more than 40K out to watch a match up with the Big XII’s Kansas State.
To each their own, obviously … but a shame nonetheless. – C.B.
Chris, unfortunately as of right now, with this team there is no such thing as a “slam dunk” game. The KState game should have been that way as well, but it wasn’t. We have had too many bad losses against lesser opponents in the last decade. Miami better come out and set the tone against B-C, play like they should, and blow them out. There can be no more talk of coming out flat, or overlooking an opponent. This team has no right, based on their play, to think they can just show up and win. Those days are over. If we don’t execute, we can and will lose to anyone on our schedule. We need to focus on Bethune-Cookman and nobody else. Take the next game in front of you and just worry about that. It’s time to play tough, nasty and smart starting THIS WEEK. Let’s get out with a W and get to 2-2, then go from there.
You kind of made my point with the Dolphins. In a city like Miami where entertainment is not lacking of choices. A small base city or town with football has no problem supporting their programs where it may be the only show in town as far as entertainment. We’re also talking about The Miami Hurricanes. The Yankee’s of college football at one time. ESPN 30/30 has a documentary about this once football juggernaut so fans and the nation are accustomed to seeing a range of good to great football from The Canes. I’m not expecting Miami to win the National Championship every year, hell…..they’ve never won the ACC Championship. That’s shocking enough considering how long they’ve been in the conference. When you see South Florida along with the other Florida Universities turning out a good product now, it’s frustrating to see Miami digress to a point. I’m not sure Miami can beat the other state schools in Florida. Florida St.(our biggest rival) seems to put a good product on the field year after year now. As a HUGE Cane’s fan it’s frustrating seeing the other state schools thrive in success while we look forward to schools like Bethune-Cookman to gain some much needed confidence. The only voice a fan has is to not support the product with $$$ or boo the product on the field. Some fans will continue to show up to games and some will choose to spend their money elsewhere. It doesn’t make you a bad fan if you don’t want to financially support what’s on the field. Miami……and only Miami can change the attitude and culture of the fans. If you win, you’ll get that twelfth man you’re seeking. You’ll get standing room attendances and you’ll once again be the best show in town and the state of Florida. And people will be happy to spend, spend, spend money.
A-Mack – Everything you list is true and has always been true, but it doesn’t make it right.
Yes, entertainment-wise there’s tons to do in Miami. Still, the Canes play seven home games a year and to not show up – it’s a shame based on how big the city is.
The Dolphins went 1-15 in 2007 and 71K turned out for the season finale against Cincinnati … yet fans check out on the Canes if it’s a “lesser” opponent.
In 2001, the 6-0, top-ranked Canes had just over 31K in the beloved Orange Bowl for a showdown with Temple. That’s pathetic. Especially on the heels of probation and fans being so starved for a winner … so to your point about “win and you’ll get that twelfth man” – it’s simply not true. Fans come out for big games and tune out for smaller ones. Even if you’re the top team in the land.
UM is going through a rough patch, which happens with you have back-to-back incompetent coaches. The decline started in 2003 and bottomed out in 2010. That won’t be fixed overnight – and it explains why Miami hasn’t done anything since joining the ACC in 2004. The decline was already underway.
Golden is working to right the ship and right now the hope is that the NCAA doesn’t drop a huge hammer … and while that is all worked out, you simply hope the Canes can string together a good enough year to have a solid recruiting haul in 2012 and to become an ACC contender, at minimum.
The bottoming-out hasn’t occurred yet.
We still have this year and next for that.
This is going to be an ugly rebuild.
Dude, I drove down 3 hours last week for the game, had a great time! “Other than the loss” Even in the old days the OB would not sell out every home game. It is what it is! Let’s go Canes!
Here is my problem with a “fan” like a-mack. He is fan and will do anything as long as they win. if they lose then he’ll find anything else to do than go to a game. Thats not being a fan and it doesn’t matter what you say in response to this you my friend are not a true fan. A true fan budgets out the money that will be needed to have season tickets to their team. A true fan goes no matter if you win or lose. Yes the days of great canes showing up looking like bad asses and rolling over lesser opponents is done…..for now. I am in a house hold where i go to school get a small grant from the government over semester and my girl works and guess what buddy we would still if we lived in miami make room in the budget for season tickets. Thats what fans do. I live in idaho i don’t have the luxury of going to see my canes play. If you do get off your ass and go be a true fan. Put your heart and soul into each game your at and guess what the more fans we put in those seats the better the team will play. No one likes playing in front of an empty crowd. So you and the other wanna be fans shut up quit bitching be thankful that you have your team in your town and go to the games.
And you if truely can’t find a reason after all that then here is just one more for you. Look at the effort the team is starting to play with that has been missing for so many years now. They want to make miami great again so do your part pay for parking and a ticket and a hot dog a drink and some pop corn and foam finger and cheer for your team from the stadium if you live there.
Damn rights Miami better come out on fire tomorrow and damn rights you better be there.Thats all i got. Cane fans stop looking for something to bitch about and start looking for the positives in each game. All canes and beast have said it over and over stop being apart of the problem and try to be apart of the solution. We as fans can only go to the games cheer our asses off rain or shine and maybe one day the canes can move out of the dump they are in and move back into our own stadium. I’m out
GO C A N E S CANES!
THE IDAHO CANE
Here is my problem with DSCOTT. Read and comprehend the whole statements I made. How you choose to spend YOUR income is your problem but to tell a Cane fan that no matter what, they need to be at those games is ridiculous. Games are not cheap but that’s for another discussion. If Harris throws 3 interceptions a game and the same players continue to make the same mistakes and the personel never changes (getting benched until they figure it out) I’d say one has the right not to support that product until changes are made. That could mean not going or booing every bad play. I work practically every Saturday but make it a point to tivo the game. I put down money down for the ESPN college gameday package yearly just to see the boys play. I live in St. Louis and many games here are regional so I’m forced to do this if I want to watch them. I can afford it and I’m happy to do it. So…..I put my money and heart where my mouth is. My home office has Cane memorabilia surrounding every wall. I have a closet full of Canes gear and a bright orange and green flag in front of my house flying proudly in an area where the Missouri Tigers (my home state) dominate my neighborhood. I live with a University of Missouri graduate and not one item of Mizzou is displayed in the home. I’m not questioning your passion for the Canes but to say if someone doens’t like the product on the field and no longer wants to attend is crazy. Loyalty is very important but blind loyalty can sometimes be foolish. I’ve walked away from the tv at times watching them play out of disappointment. Does that mean I’m not loyal too because I didn’t wait for the game to end? This isn’t about me being more of a fan than you DSCOTT or any other fan. It’s about a product on the field and improving it so we can talk about victories and building new memories of kicking ass and taking names in the process. Although we’re in different states it’s obvious we’re on the same team. I’ll always bleed green and orange. From one Cane fan to another. Go “Canes”!!
One GREAT thing about how big ESPN has become, is that all of Miami’s games have been on one of their channels. So despite not living in the area to see games in person, I have still been able to see every game on TV. Thank God. Even tomorrow’s game is on ESPN U, so I am grateful. Cane Nation can at least turn on the tube if we aren’t in the area to watch the game in person.
Here is my problem with DSCOTT. Read and comprehend the whole statements I made. How you choose to spend YOUR income is your problem but to tell a Cane fan that no matter what, they need to be at those games is ridiculous. Games are not cheap but that’s for another discussion. If Harris throws 3 interceptions a game and the same players continue to make the same mistakes and the personel never changes (getting benched until they figure it out) I’d say one has the right not to support that product until changes are made. That could mean not going or booing every bad play. I work practically every Saturday but make it a point to tivo the game. I put down money down for the ESPN college gameday package yearly just to see the boys play. I live in St. Louis and many games here are regional so I’m forced to do this if I want to watch them. I can afford it and I’m happy to do it. So…..I put my money and heart where my mouth is. My home office has Cane memorabilia surrounding every wall. I have a closet full of Canes gear and a bright orange and green flag in front of my house flying proudly in an area where the Missouri Tigers (my home state) dominate my neighborhood. I live with a University of Missouri graduate and not one item of Mizzou is displayed in the home. I’m not questioning your passion for the Canes but to say if someone doens’t like the product on the field and no longer wants to attend is crazy. Loyalty is very important but blind loyalty can sometimes be foolish. I’ve walked away from the tv at times watching them play out of disappointment. Does that mean I’m not loyal too because I didn’t wait for the game to end? This isn’t about me being more of a fan than you DSCOTT or any other fan. It’s about a product on the field and improving it so we can talk about victories and building new memories of kicking ass and taking names in the process. Although we’re in different states it’s obvious we’re on the same team. I’ll always bleed green and orange. From one Cane fan to another. Go “Canes”!!
Dscott i couldnt have said it better myself. I live in Indianapolis and when i lived in Miami in the late 80s and early to mid 90s me and my family were at every game whether it was fsu or famu! I dont get why so much of this fan base is so negative and always so hard on our team. I get that we’ve had a rough last nine years or so but this is college football and its very cyclical, so we’ll be back! In the meantime dont be such a pansy blaming the recession for not coming to games and get your ass out there and cheer on dem CANES!! at least do it for all the out of town canes fans who would do anything to be there!
It would help to have a fan-friendly stadium. Instead, we have fans being ejected without warning, for standing to cheer for the Canes. We have parking attendants refusing to let cars that come in together, tailgate together. If you lose something valuable like your wallet, keys, credit cards…you are told that “you can come back Monday” to check and you receive no help whatsoever. Make the tailgating and game experience something the fans will want to come back to. Sun Life Stadium is the worst run stadium I have ever been in for college football, NFL, or MLB. “U” were treated with more respect at the Orange Bowl.
Let’s face it. This program is a MESS right now and it’s not getting better with major sanctions coming. It is dying before our eyes and no one seems to be able to get things turned around. The administration at this school needs to finally decide if they want a football program or not, because what we’re putting on the field these days is really hard to watch. No wonder we have no fans anymore. They’ve been driven away by awful coaching, ridiculously bad play that is worse than some high school teams, and deceitful boosters and assistants looking out only for themselves. This is a disgrace and it gets worse every week.
Chris, while I share a mutual desire to have more fans atttend the games, I’m not sure how much more you can ask of them. #1: There are 4.85 seats at SLS for every one student on campus. By far and away the largest discrepancy in college football; #2: Since we stared playing 6 home games a year, we’ve only averaged 48-50k fans pet year. Now if your trying to get that extra 8-10k to show up, I understand. But the problems lies with UM not the fan base. If they did some simple things, such as close off some (if not all) of the 55 upper level sections in order to bring the fans closer together, more people would come b/c there would be a demand for tickets and the games would be more fun.