Hurricanes Alive And Well After Trip To Death Valley

Your Miami Hurricanes and several thousand of their diehard fans walked right throught the heart of the Death Valley on Saturday and walked out alive and well as winners in their big ACC showdown against the Clemson Tigers. 

 
The road victory moved Miami up to 13th in the polls and ahead of in-State rivals Florida (14th) and Florida State  (23rd) for the first time in a long time.

 
Before we move on to next week's showdown with FSU at Sun Life Stadium we want to take one more look back at the Hurricanes beat down of the Tigers and note some of the facts and stats that made the difference in the game.

When the game was over the teams met at mid-field to shake hands in front of the already empty stands that were once packed with 81,000 screaming orange-clad fans.

 
Clemson's hopes and dreams of victory had long since evaporated into the brilliant Fall sky like ballons drifting away to nowhere while Miami's dreams of their first ACC title grew ever closer.

 
Here are some interesting FACTS from the Clemson game:

• Clemson led the ACC in fewest turnovers coming into the game with just two in three games this season. But Miami had six takeways in the game by forcing the Tigers into three fumbles and three interceptions. It was the worst T/O ratio in a game for Clemson since they played GT back in 2008.
• Clemson had held it's opponents to 10 points in the first half of their first three games on 2010.  Miami was having none of that nonsense and scored 27 against the Tigers to take a 13 point lead (27-14) going into half time.
• The road team has won the last four meetings between these two teams.  Miami's win marks the third straight year that the Hurricanes have won their opening ACC game of the season and also is the third straight year they have started 3-1 under randy Shannon.
• This was just the fourth Clemson loss on Homecoming since 1971. Clemson is now 34-4-2 on Homecoming over the last 40 years. Clemson had won eight in a row on homecoming prior to today. Clemson's Head Coach Dabo Swinney had been 7-0 as an assistant and Head Coach on homecoming prior to today.

Some say that STATS are for fools, but we tend to disagree:

• Miami outplayed Clemson in evefry offensive category.  Miami had the advantage in first downs 19-15, rushing yards 171-162 and passing yards 205-149.
• Miami's Damien Berry topped the 100 yard mark on the day with 101 yards while Lamar Miller added 53 of his own on the ground for the Hurricanes.
• Miami's Leonard Hankerson continues his meteoric rise to fame and fortune that started in 2009 and has grown even brighter in 2010.  Hankerson led the Hurricanes with 7 catches for 147 yards and three touchdowns against the Tigers.
• Miami had eight, count 'em EIGHT, tackles for loss against Clemson.  The Hurricanes coninue to lead the Nation in this category thanks to a deep and solid defensive line and some excellent coaching from new DL Coach Rick Petri.

Here some comments and opinions for Hurricane Fans on Canespace:

Question for the team: how does it feel to silence 82,000 fans in death valley?

Posted by: usagainstheworld | October 02, 2010 at 10:34 PM

I thought this game would be a nail biter and it really wasn't except the 4th down play. Miami just had better players across the board. Me thinks Dabo Swinney is also overrated, and benefited greatly from the talent Bowden left him. A smart coach always keeps his team within a field goal in the fourth quarter and does not go for it on fourth and better than a yard.

I really like our chances next week. FSU is a good team but they have some defensive issues. Hopefully this team keeps the pedal to the medal and wins that game. After that, I think the schedule is not too tough until VT at the end. And VT is not who we thought they were before the year began.

Posted by: SJMPARMAN | October 02, 2010 at 10:47 PM

Once again the `Canes ride their outstanding D to another impressive victory. The D is nasty, fast and fierce.  It's not going to be the O that gets the `Canes to the ACC Championship game, it will be that gruesome D.  Big Daddy Fortson is really coming into his own this year!

Posted by: Sebastian57 | October 02, 2010 at 11:24 PM

The key for the Canes is execution and the elimination of mistakes. That is why these Canes cannot be complacent - for some games they will need style points to continue to move up the polls, and the only way the Canes can do that is to work hard and get that execution on the little things done right.

Posted by: WindyCane1 | October 03, 2010 at 09:17 AM

Anyone see this coming 5 weeks ago? Our biggest concern is our offense, specifically our WR's? And Jacory? Guess the LB situation is not as bad as we thought it might be and the O is not as strong as we knew it would be. If our offense starts to gel and come together we have a scary good team. Eliminate the penalties, picks, and drops and we are a really good team. All seems mental to me.

Posted by: 411 | October 03, 2010 at 09:35 AM

-

Solar, SOUP, Hershey, OCALA...We had a blast. Glad you enjoyed the tailgate. It's good to finaly meet you guys. Hope to do it again.  Great game for the Canes. Lots of room for improvement, but I think we are improving every game. If we continue to do that, it will be a great season.

WE GOT SOME CANES OVER HERE.......

Posted by: Aces & Canes | October 03, 2010 at 12:35 PM

Our defense is the real deal this season however winning our remaining games is possible only if we can run the ball. I have resigned myself to the fact Jacory lacks poise and is going to make bad decisons which results in turnovers. I am nervous as hell when he drops back to throw a pass. In closing I am convinced the officials nationwide have made it their mantra to punish the U for our brash behavior of the 80's and 90's. It seemed as if every freaking play was under review and they were saying we are going to make sure this game stays close. The officials during the Pitt game were no better.

Posted by: canesteeler | October 03, 2010 at 10:06 AM

Comments

[canesteeler]

Canechic my prayers are with you and your family.

[DZ8]

Six

Some good comments recently. Isn't it great to meet these coaches and such?

[411]

UM athletic director Kirby Hocutt says less than 2,000 seats remain, primarily on the club level ($175+) at the 74,916-seat stadium.

FSU Game in 2008 was largest crowd so far in new place and I'm thinking that was about 65k...

[411]

Canes 2010 intro video (played right before the team comes out of the tunnel): http://ow.ly/2NN4I

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

8 pm primetime game with both teams ranked??? yeah, i'd be surprised if that 2k seats aren't filled, besides the one good thing about Nole fans, they travel well, are club level seats sold to them too???

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

Canes 2010 intro video (played right before the team comes out of the tunnel): http://ow.ly/2NN4I

Posted by: 411 | October 04, 2010 at 05:12 PM

I don't mind the new intro vid, but i thought last years was more inspiring, it gives you goose bumps.

[HersheyCane]

What's the deal??

After reading through the blog....I see a few traveled to the game besides:

My wife and I
Soup
Solar
Ocala and Wife
Aces and fam
G and fam

Just wondering....Why travel to the game and not put some faces to the blog names, have a beer, and SCREAM: C A N E S!! We all family! It was my first time meeting some of the legion and can't wait to do it again! Jump in - U will have fun!!

Just sayin...

CANES - 39
FSWHO - 18

[HersheyCane]

Canechic,
My wife and I are praying for you! She lost her mother a few years back and it's a hard thing to endure...push through and always remember the good times!!

[360Cane]

College Injury Report Site

10/03 5:42pm Jacory Harris QB
Probable Shoulder

Junior QB Jacory Harris suffered a minor injury to his non-throwing shoulder, but he is probable for Florida State (10/9). Harris recently overcame two interceptions en route to a two-touchdown performance against Pitt.

Posted by: solarcane | October 04, 2010 at 02:56 PM

What gets me is how in the hell is he probable? We all know how informative Shannon is about injuries (sarcasm there). We all know we do not release our injury reports until Thursday or two days before a game on Thursday.

How does information like this "leak"?

[DZ8]

J12 loves the attention.

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

4 games with very mediocre tight end play, i'd be surprised if Nick O'Leary and Brandon Fulse aren't considering us seriously.

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

Why does Jacory lock in to his receiver, my goodness, Whipple needs to tell him to atleast look left or right just to get the safety guessing atleast.

[Ungar]

4 games with very mediocre tight end play, i'd be surprised if Nick O'Leary and Brandon Fulse aren't considering us seriously.

Posted by: Sean Spence is a Beast!!! | October 04, 2010 at 06:00 PM

We really need to get Nick OLeary, he has Cane level skills and Cane level attitude.

[Sean Spence is a Beast!!!]

Miami and Florida State are his top 2 schools, and for the most part i think O'Leary is a cane lean, but if we beat FSU and he sees which team showcases the tight-end spot better, it'll be a done deal.

[solarcane]

aces,
yea it's mine, but keep it, It isn't anything special.
If you could do soup a favor and put the Hampton flyers on a counter somewhere that people would notice them it would be great.

I been braggin about your tailgate to the boys, thanks again.

[solarcane]

Now, how do I post pictures here......

Posted by: Bad Bart | October 04, 2010 at 04:20 PM

an easy way

go to photo bucket and get the free program.
it is as easy as it gets bb you won't have any problem

[Old Skool]

Apparently, Saturday is Jimbo Fisher's birthday ...

Jimbo Fisher would like nothing better for a 45th birthday gift than a win at Miami on Saturday.

May we give him one to grow on.

[zarokon]

Man you guys are sooo good at breaking down film and everything. Wow...amazing. please tell me j12 and crew were not doing yhe stupid "checking in" thing....wow. good game. We have to beat fsu 5'9'' corners. Lol...since I work all day on Saturdays I will be on my phone watching the games....what's up with recruiting also...any news on Watkins and others??

[solarcane]

jacory's dad tweeted 2 minutes ago Jacory is 100% ready to go no injury no surgary
i'm not kidding

[solarcane]

CORAL GABLES — Miami Hurricanes quarterback Jacory Harris does not have a torn labrum in his left shoulder, his father, Rodney Harris said Monday afternoon.

Rodney Harris also told the Sun Sentinel that the surgically repaired right thumb on his son’s throwing hand has not bothered him and is “100 percent.” There has been some speculation whether his struggles are related to that. [On a side note: Harris was not wearing protective tape on his thumb Saturday]

Of the shoulder injury, Rodney Harris said, “From what I understand talking to him, he’s doing OK. He’s a little sore from getting beat up on a little, but he’s doing all right. He’s fine.”

WAXY-70 AM reported Harris could have a torn labrum in his left shoulder. According to a UM source, Harris suffered a bruised acromioclavicular (AC) joint when he was sacked in the fourth quarter against Pittsburgh.

The AC joint, which allows the ability to raise the arm above the head, is at the top of the shoulder and is between the acromion — the part of the scapula which forms the highest point of the shoulder — and the clavicle.

Harris took some hard hits again Saturday at Clemson, including one from Da’Quan Bowers that forced a fumble and another dead-one from Andre Branch after he’d just released the ball.

Harris was 13-for-33 for 205 yards passing at Clemson. He threw four touchdowns and two interceptions – all of which came in the first half. The junior has thrown eight interceptions in the past three games.

Rodney Harris said his son remains upbeat.

“You know he’s a resilient kid. He’ll bounce back,” said Harris, defensive coordinator at Miami Northwestern High. “I know he has a lot of picks, but think about it, they play an aggressive offense, so you’re going to get picks. There were some bad decisions, and he knows what he needs to do to correct those bad decisions.”

After Harris threw his first interception Saturday, he threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Mike James on the next play after Miami got the ball back.

“He can’t stop being aggressive, he has to go for it,” Rodney Harris said. “If [an interception] happens, it happens. We play defense and keep going. …I know he can’t sit back and think about those interceptions. He’s got to brush those off and move on. He’s done that and he’ll continue to do it.”

[360Cane]

Thanks solar. That is exactly what I thought. We don't share anything about our team until Thursday, and this "news" came to me from FSU fans. Go figure...

[Old Skool]

Hankerson named the National Wide Receiver of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards.

Yay. I've never heard of them but .. Yay.

[VA Cane]

Canechic,

you are so kind to me so often on here, and I appreciate it very much. I am so sorry for your loss. I wish there was something I could say or do; just a wish. The Almighty will see and your family through, and everyone on here loves and cares for you very much. Truly, the world has lost a fine father, husband, co-worker and friend, but The Almighty has surely gained a wonderful precious angel. God Bless you and your family, VAC

[Old Skool]

If you haven't seen the Singapore Airlines safety instruction dance video, here it is

http://mediafetcher.com/article_full.php?id=114815

It would keep me riveted. Of course, having young female flight attendants helps.

[SOUP]

We will be afraid Jacory is having his arm amputated by dinner.

Posted by: solarcane | October 04, 2010 at 02:59 PM

I know it's after dinner but I heard it that amputation has been ruled out. LOL

[SOUP]

"The AC joint, which allows the ability to raise the arm above the head, is at the top of the shoulder and is between the acromion — the part of the scapula which forms the highest point of the shoulder — and the clavicle."

That's exactly what I was gonna say but they said it first. Bummer...

[DallasTXCane]

U

[now known as usagainstheworld&thereferees]

did my eyes deceive me or did i see a miami receiver making yac's???

[canezilla]

love my cane fans but one question WHY THE FUK WOULD U WEAR ORANGE TO A CLEMSON HOME GAME?

[WindyCane1]

Canechic: My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family

[mi@mic@ne]

Canechic ... you ve been a big part of Canespace and a positive person here. I dont understand the pain you are going through but ... my wifes mother died 15 yrs ago... and from that experience i hope your memories of this will not be too much of a burden for you... i will pray for healing ... God bless you.

[Old Skool]

Canechic
Know this: my thoughts are with you and your family.

[WindyCane1]

ESPN Power Rankings:
#11 (14) Miami (FL) 3-1 274

Miami displayed its tantalizing potential as well as its infuriating faults in a road win at Clemson. The Hurricanes forced six turnovers but Jacory Harris also threw two away, giving him eight INTs for the season. A visit from Florida State is next.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/powerrankings

By Heather Dinich» Power Rankings: ACC

Miami has been the ACC’s top team in the power ranking since this preseason and that hasn’t changed. The Hurricanes continued to prove worthy of it with their win at Clemson, going 2-1 in a difficult three-game stretch of road games. With its only loss coming on the road against Ohio State, Miami should be considered one of the top 15 teams in the country. The rest of the ACC? There was a bit of shuffling, including at the No. 2 spot where Clemson was bumped in favor of a Florida State team with some momentum. With Miami at No. 1 and Florida State at No. 2, it should make for an interesting Week 6 in South Florida. Here’s how the rest of the league shakes out:

1. Miami (3-1, 1-0 ACC, LW: No. 1) – The Hurricanes forced Clemson into six turnovers, quarterback Jacory Harris threw for four touchdowns and receiver Leonard Hankerson tied a school record with three touchdown receptions. There are still kinks to work out, but if Miami is playing its best football in November, look out for the Canes.

[SOUP]

love my cane fans but one question WHY THE FUK WOULD U WEAR ORANGE TO A CLEMSON HOME GAME?

Posted by: canezilla | October 04, 2010 at 08:02 PM

Because U were NOT there to advise otherwise.

[SOUP]

did my eyes deceive me or did i see a miami receiver making yac's???

Posted by: now known as usagainstheworld&thereferees | October 04, 2010 at 08:00 PM

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...not so LOUD!

[solarcane]

soup check email

[mi@mic@ne]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_college_hurricanes/2010/10/harris-dad-no-torn-labrum-thumb-100-percent.html

Theres nothing wrong with JH

[solarcane]

mi@mi

go here

Posted by: solarcane | October 04, 2010 at 06:45 PM

[mi@mic@ne]

http://www.sectionb.com/warning.jpg

Its being reported that a hurricane warning flag was put up on fsu s practice field this morning... IMO it smells like an inside job to get the Semiholes psyched up.

[SOUP]

Solar...replied, looks good. Can U email the pics U took of us fishing at the lake?

[mi@mic@ne]

http://theufootball.com/
Randy s speech in the locker room after the game.

[solarcane]

soup thanks ,
i just sent more pics

[BahamaCane]

The dolphins tackling is really poor tonight! To many arm tackles and not wrapping up!

[BahamaCane]

The fins special teams is really laying an egg!

[SOUP]

Bahama...stick a fork in the FISH cause they are cooked!

[MaryLouAlumni]

Canechic
My heart and deepest sympathy goes out to you on the loss of your father. My father died 25 years ago and my mom tragically 5 years ago. It never leaves you, he is in your heart everyday, but the grieving and the intense pain and crying does subside, which is a blessing.
You have been so kind to me ever since I met you at the game 2 years ago. You have great compassion and it shows with all the blogs by the cane nation members.
I will pray for you tonight.

[SinisterCane]

Go Canes

[mi@mic@ne]

I always thought Henning was too slow for the NFL. Always late on his throws and doesnt move around in the pocket very well.

[Ungar]

SACKS BY G No. Yards
1. Florida State 5 25 151
2. NC State 5 18 105
3. Miami 4 17 121

I THOUGHT SOMEONE ON HERE SAID THE CANES WOULD LEAD THE NCAA WITH 48 SACKS IN 2010?

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...who was that?

SOUP

Hmm, 17 * 3 = 51, looks like we are on a pace to get there.....

Goodnight, Dolphins killing themselves at home after winning on the road. But nobody will be ripping Henne for those bad INTs the way folks do to Harris....

[mi@mic@ne]

Henne is a drag on that dolphin offense.