Take That U Little Butch

University of North Carolina head coach Butch Davis had owned Randy Shannon and his Miami Hurricanes. 

For four straight years UNC had beaten UM and for the last three seasons Butch the Mentor had beaten Randy the Student in head to head competition between the two Atlantic Coast Conference rivals.

 
For Shannon it was like having a four hundred pound gorilla hanging over his head since becoming head coach at Miami in 2007. 

No more.

That all ended Saturday night at Sun Life Stadium as your Miami Hurricanes laid an old fashioned whoopin' on the Tar Heels.  Trailing 10-3 in the second quarter, the Hurricanes scored 30 unanswered points to win going away by the score of 33-10.

The gorilla was dead.

 
Take that U little Butch! 

In what appeared to be their coming out party, Shannon and the boys from "The U" decided they had had enough and simply were not gonna take it any more.  The Hurricanes came out fired up, played some inspired football and proceeded to shut up the Tar Heels in the second half of the game.

 
Miami players and coaches actually looked like they were finally having fun again as they jumped and jostled and celebrated (almost) like the good old days.  Talk about getting the proverbial "monkey off your back" the Hurricanes may have put to rest the criticism and complaining for at least a little while if not for good with their performance Saturday night.

 
While things did get a little shaky after the opening kickoff and through the first quarter, Miami showed what had been missing in previous weeks: heart and courage and desire. 

On this night in what amounted to be a season making or breaking conference game, the Hurricanes did not quit and instead played like champions.

 
And for the fans it was twice as much fun as ever.  With much concern about the new "rules" at Sun Life Stadium and what would happen to tailgating traditions and relationships forged over many seasons, everything turned out just fine thank U very much!

While there was a significant increase in police presence and a few stressed out and very serious stadium security personnel directing you where to park, most people found their friends by chance or by cell phone to share a good time before the game.

 
Fans still showed up, the tailgating was till fast, fun and furious and a good time was had by all.  We found these two guys above getting their groove on and also managed to find most of our usual tailgate crew.  Canespacers Fran and Jean followed us to the game from the Hampton and we even found Canezilla and his crew hanging out as usual. 

College students still shot-gunned a few beers, got drunk and then got friendly.

 
Fearless pretty young girls had their picture taken while they danced on the roof of vehicles with 400 pound gorillas. Needless to say, a good time was had by all.

 
In the end it was the result on the field and not the new stadium rules that had everyone talking.  For the first time in weeks, Hurricane fans had something to be happy about and a reason to celebrate.

The four hundred pound gorilla had finally been castrated for all to see. And although we are not particularly fond of watching medical procedures being performed this one was somehow pleasurable to watch!

 
So much fun in fact that we will be back for the next game against Maryland on November 6.  We will see U at the stadium for more fun and games then when the Canes face the Terrapins in another important ACC game. 

Comments

[solarcane]

boink

[HersheyCane]

WHOOO HOOOO GO CANES!!! GREAT WIN!!

[solarcane]

soup you got this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm have to admit the picture of the guy kneeling behind the gorilla had me a bit uncomfortable, Please tell me thats a female gorilla lol!

[SOUP]

soup you got this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm have to admit the picture of the guy kneeling behind the gorilla had me a bit uncomfortable, Please tell me thats a female gorilla lol!

Posted by: solarcane | October 24, 2010 at 10:45 AM

Yes sir, I do! Why people don't believe me when I say "I GOT THIS!" I will never know. Now U got nice people like Canesteeler eating crow (no sauce) this AM.

I am not sure of the gender of the gorilla but I do know two things:

1. Shannon got the four hundered pound gorilla off his back last night.

2. Hot chicks dig the gorilla!

[solarcane]

Some of Butch and his players comments on the game

North Carolina Head Coach Butch Davis

"I thing we lost to a pretty good football team tonight - one that's got a lot of talent and played well. I thought that one of the most significant factors in the ballgame was we never ever really got a real good handle on the running game. They were able to really kind of keep us off balance with the run and the play action pass. They played well and I thought our kids got off to a good start. We had a chance to play a little bit better early in the game to put some points on the board when Anthony Elzy, unfortunately, fumbled in the end zone. It could have been a huge big play. Obviously, one of the formulas for playing against Miami is to try to take the run away by keeping the score to such that it makes them have to play a little bit more pass oriented and a little bit less run oriented. They're a good football team. I was proud of the way our kids competed, the way that they played and we will learn something from tonight's game and we will play better next week."

On if Miami's running game helped protect Jacory Harris:
"We knew going into the ball game that they had several personnel packages that included six offensive linemen - where they use a big offensive lineman as a true tight end along with tight end and multiple backs in the back field. They kept us off balance with it. They had some success and they did a good job. Their running backs ran hard."

On injuries taking a toll on the team:
"It's a challenge. As I told the players in the locker room, coaches always say that you're one injury away or one something from somebody having to go into the ball game and step up. I would venture to say that probably cost us every single kid that we thought we were going to redshirt. We probably won't be able to redshirt any of them. We probably have to end up playing all of these kids before the season is over."

UNC Player Quotes

T.J. Yates

On the game:
"We did a good job coming out, and when we had the chance to build some momentum and go up on them, we shot ourselves in the foot and fumbled into the end zone. That kind of killed our momentum because early we should've been up 17-6 and it's tough to play a team like that when they get momentum. When they start doing well defensively and offensively they have a lot of motivation to keep playing well. We can't get in holes against a team like that and beat ourselves because they will take advantage of mistakes."

On continual poor field position:
"That definitely hurt us. Once we got the ball we were so unsuccessful on third down because we were so unsuccessful on first down, which led us to get behind the count with second and long. We gave up some sacks and negative runs on first down and it killed the start of our drives. We couldn't build any momentum after that."

Bruce Carter

On not defending like they have been:
"I just think it was the scheme we had going into this game. We needed our corner to have support on the edge and we got a young secondary. They (Miami) did a great job coming in and finding our weakness on defense...they're a great team with great athletes."

Johnny White

On struggling to move the ball:
"We couldn't really get a routine going. We had some plays get us off schedule, sacks and negative runs that got us off schedule."

On not scoring touchdowns on the first two drives:
"That's deflating to any team. When you're playing a team as good as Miami, you need to take advantage of every opportunity you get in the red zone and can't leave points out there on the field."

Deunta Williams

On missing starters this game:
"Well I think it was obvious they tried to pick on us in the secondary tonight. But at the same time, we haven't had Kendrick or C.B. all year. So it wasn't like that was anything new for us. We were just down one corner and we have young guys that can play. I was telling them how when we were freshmen we would get picked on too. The only way to get them to stop picking on you is to make them go away from you. We encourage them...[and they] just need to go out and play."

Miami Head Coach Randy Shannon

"Real big win for us tonight; it was huge. We're taking the next step in the Atlantic Coast Conference, playing North Carolina really was a big victory for myself and this whole University. Being 0-3, playing against North Carolina, and having an opportunity to come back on national TV and respond in the way we did tonight was unbelievable. A lot of credit goes to these football players who are responding to this coaching staff, doing a phenomenal job of really getting this team ready to play. You watch the game defensively, they came out of the gate and we gave up a big, long run, which is inexcusable, but the guys responded back. They didn't go in the tank, and I think that's part of playing football. You get a negative play - how quick you're going to respond until you have as good a defense that you can have. And with the turnovers and the sacks by Allen Bailey tonight was unbelievable."

"Offensively, running the football was key. We pounded the football and that opened up our passing game. You see some guys, besides [Leonard] Hankerson, you see some other guys step up and make some plays, and I think that's part of what this team is about. I thought the biggest play of the game was Tyrone Cornelius' hit on the kickoff... It was a good game, it was an exciting game, it was fun to be around with those guys and see how they would be challenged."

On the verbal exchanged between players earlier in the game:
"It was good, because what it was doing was challenging each other to step up and make plays. I think that's the one thing about this football team is that guys are starting to develop a mentality of what we're trying to get done. The great teams and the great players step up and challenge each player, and I think anytime you can challenge a player the right way it becomes a positive."

About where this team was against Florida State:
"That's too long ago to think about. We got to go about what we did this week, and then we have to move on. We can't keep worrying about Florida State - that week is gone. We can't change it, we lost, it's a loss in the column, we got to move forward. After tonight, tomorrow we'll grade this film and move on to Virginia."

On whether the fumble in the first quarter changed the momentum:
"That one, yes, it definitely changed the momentum because it stopped them from getting up ahead. It kept the game within one score, and then once we got up the guys started thriving."

On what the win means personally:
"It a big win like I said earlier. It's the first time that I beat North Carolina and first time in a long time that we've beaten North Carolina, so it was big for the University and for the fans that we showed up."

[canezilla]

GOOD GAME CANES,ABOUT TIME WE USE THE SHORT PASSING GAME AND SCREENS TO SHOW OUR SPEED.ABOUT TIME!!!!!!!!! MILLER IS STUPID DUMB FAST,BERRY IS THE NEW WORKHORSE FOR THE GROUND ATTACK.HOPE THEY USE THE NEXT 2 MAYBE 3 WEEKS TO TWEEK ANY PROBLEMS ON THE OFFENSE JUST IN TIME FOR THE HUGGGGGE MATCHUP AGANIST VT

[canezilla]

HOPE IT WONT HAPPEN BUT I THINK MARYLAND WILL BE A NOON GAME.IF THIS HAPPENS GATES WILL BE OPEN AT 7AM HAHAHAHAHAH NICE OJ AND VODKA

[SOUP]

HOPE IT WONT HAPPEN BUT I THINK MARYLAND WILL BE A NOON GAME.IF THIS HAPPENS GATES WILL BE OPEN AT 7AM HAHAHAHAHAH NICE OJ AND VODKA

Posted by: canezilla | October 24, 2010 at 10:56 AM

Be ready and have your game face on!

[Jersey_Cane]

It's great to feel good about a win like this one. By far, one of the best all around games we have played in the past 2 seasons. Strong in all phases of the game (if you don't count the missed PAT...).

Proud of our team, they have taken a beating in the media, blogs and talk shows the last few weeks. It was great to see them dancing and having fun. I hope there were a few recruits in the stands last night as well. That kind of fun can swing their decision a little.

Finally, people can say whatever they want about the size of the UM crowd, but no one can ever question the atmosphere of the crowd, they were into last night's game.

[BEERicane]

I think the entire program feels the pressure and enormity of this game tonight. They will show up, execute, and put together a solid game plan. The O will finally click and ST will lay the wood yet again to Carolina (what is it about the ST and the highlight hits they seem to lay on NC and where is the the rest of the season). We will get to Yates a few times and force a few ill advised throws. I see this being a "signature" win for RS and this canes team and they turn the corner for the rest of the year.

TONIGHT THEY PLAY LIKE THEY DESERVE TO WEAR THE U!

Posted by: BEERicane | October 23, 2010 at 11:55 AM

Hmmmmm....... sounds pretty accurate.

[SOUP]

WHOOO HOOOO GO CANES!!! GREAT WIN!!

Posted by: HersheyCane | October 24, 2010 at 10:42 AM

Hershey...what's up buddy? How's Mrs. Andretti doing? LOL

[BEERicane]

Kim bokamper is a bigger version of tony sporano. or is sparano a smaller bokamper. Tune to CBS4 right now to see what I'm talking about.

[SOUP]

BEER...even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while. ;-)

GOOD CALL!

[UMike]

Did anyone see the Cleveland interview on Mannys page? Did anyone expect that voice to come out of that face? lol

[SOUP]

OK, I'M NORTHBOUND AND DOWN.

Lead, follow or get the %#@& outta my way!

[Ungar]

The guy chugging from the tube with a U symbol on the top, gives a whole new meaning to loading up on youtube.

http://canespace.typepad.com/.a/6a00e008c6725888340133f54ea674970b-500wi

Man, that was great to see, that was NOT the team that faced FSU.

[BEERicane]

My one gripe of the game last night is......

MATT BOSHER! What is his problem? He has been kicking terribly as of late. Missed XPs, Short FGs, Shank-a-potomous on punts. Maybe he needs to work more on kicking and less on tackling. I know this will be blasphemy, but maybe Randy should consider benching him for a few XPs or something.

See, you have to find something to work on each week and Bosher's struggles need to be addressed. It will cost us down the road. He is now just an average kicker and punter. But a great ST tackler.

[Ungar]

Yes, Bosher has got to be tweaked.

However, we should move up at LEAST five spots after this dominant win and those above us losing.

I don't want to get too down on Bosher, because he HAS done it all for us.

[BEERicane]

He has done it all, but something just isn't right. He and Colin have been huge disappointments for me this year. And what happened to all of the Cain will see the field and Colin will move back outside talk? That irritated me too. Colin is just not a MLB

[DallasTXCane]

Bosh boomed his kick-offs last night tho & that had a lot to do with keeping UNC in poor field position, especially given our kick coverage difficulties this season. U could tell he had adrenalin overload.

I agree on the PATs and short FGs tho...we'll need those to be automatic again

[Playa..The Blogger Formerly Known as Rashad]

First i gotta say, I was wayyyyyyy wrong..No way did I think the Canes would win this game, let alone by 3 scores..Congrats boys, now keep up the momentum and do this week in, and week out!! Go Canes!!

[Old Skool]

Defense ...
UNC managed only 6 combined yards on its last three possessions of the second quarter.

[BEERicane]

22 in the coaches

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/usatpoll.htm

[Sebastian]

22 in AP

[Sebastian]

Alabama at #6 is SEC media hype at its best

[Six]

UMike - ya, I posted that link on here last night and couldn't believe that voice came out of Asante, ha. The kid sounds like Michael Clark Duncan in "The Green Mile"

[Bad Bart]

Ahhh...now that was just what the Dr. ordered. I swear, that is the best they have played all year. If they play every game like that, they will not lose again this year!!

Finally, we committed to the run and it paid off BIG TIME!!

What a fun game to watch after a few bad games in a row!!

Soup, I hope that you can say I GOT THIS for every remaining game this season!!!

[macjones]

Some may say your just being perfectionists....I say your just miserable SOB's in life and need to be miserable about something else to make yourselves feel better...Good game Canes!!

Posted by: novaCANEPHINatic | October 23, 2010 at 10:39 PM

It is what it is, baby. LMAO

The road game at Virginia is a 12 noon EST game, which will be televised by either ESPN or ESPN-2.

Posted by: macjones | October 23, 2010 at 10:44 PM

And NOVACANE. Some would say U's are bloody PROJECTING!!! Yous dig. No. Well, freak' me. LOL

[FranklinCane]

Canes have an elite defense being the best in the ACC in turnovers, TFL and sacks per game. The DBs have turned out to be a strength of the team and the DL is dowright dominant at times. Got to eliminate the big play runs though.

Very pleased with the development of the OL and RBs. Although its obvious that Berry and Lamar ran the ball like true studs, I was impressed with the way Smiley ran the ball to close out the game when UNC knew the Canes were going to run the ball and the OL and Smiley did it anyway. The running game showed us how you win championships.

J12 managed the game well, and as Six said he spent more time talking to Whipple and his WRs during the game. I hope this is a sign and trend that J12 is maturing instead of worrying about his brand.

Although the Canes had 400+ yds of offense and 33 pts against UNC, Canes are still an average offense until the Canes learn to do a better and more consistent job of tapping their potential. For the canes to be above average, the executon and consistency must get a lot better.

Posted by: WindyCane1 | October 24, 2010 at 10:49 AM



Shannon should be pleased overall but the inconsistency, esp in the 1st half, remains a correctable concern

[macjones]

I don't understand the dialing down of the offense with 7 minutes to go and we're starting to look good for the 1st time this season??? Randy played for dominating Cane teams and is supposed to know the importance of finishing strong and maintaining intensity.

WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR DOMINATION...WE GOT IT BRIEFLY AND WE CALL OFF THE DOGS AS IF WE'RE A GREAT TEAM!

I'm not trying to be negative...I'm happy right now, but it doesn't erase memories of the % of our lackluster play this season.

I WANT US TO BUILD...AND SET OURSELVES UP FOR SUCCESS...GOING FORWARD.

Shannon had a chance to set domination as the standard and expectation for our team!

We now go into next game...running out the clock...stagnant...so how should we expect to start the next game???

Posted by: Zakkee | October 23, 2010 at 10:53 PM

Zachary, ' rubbing it ' could come around to bite Team Shannon.

In other words, U's don't wanna' mess around too much, with the bloody mysterious hands of college football KARMA. LMAO Can yous dig it.

Seriously though, Coach Shannon is too CLASSY of a man, as well as C.E.O. to be rubbing it in on another opponent when they are defeated.

For instance, last season alone, he could have easily had his Cane offense score another T.D. against both Georgia Tech and Boomer Sooner. But he didn't.

Matter of fact, I personally wanted Miami to score one more time against Oklahoma. Yet, Shannon the Wise One had Jacory take a knee.

[macjones]

Didn't someone come on here earlier in the week and complain about the state of the program, citing one of the main examples being that we have a former Safety as our starting Running Back?

I think Damien does just fine at Running Back, converted Safety or not

That dude runs pissed off and tries to take it out on the defensive player

Posted by: Six | October 24, 2010 at 12:00 AM

Perhaps. And IF some Cane rowdy bytched and moaned this past week about said statement above, then yous are probably thinking of moi! Literally LOL

[Six]

You look at the games so far this year and what the Canes play calling has been

UNC - 44 Rush 32 Pass
Duke - 42 Rush 34 Pass
FSU - 36 Rush 49 Pass
Clemson - 43 Rush 33 Pass
Pitt - 35 Rush 32 Pass
Ohio St - 28 Rush 39 Pass
FAMU - 36 Rush 26 Pass

Their only 2 losses, they had more pass attempts than rushing attempts simply b/c they had to play catch up

The final drive for the Canes last night, they had 10 rushing attempts

The scoring drive before that, on a 3rd and 4 at the UNC 37, Jacory hits Travis Benjamin on a 26 yard pass ..... now, on a 3rd and 4 on the UNC 37 - what would the reaction have been by the fans if Benjamin didn't catch that?

"Why don't they run it??? on a 3rd and 4??? We have the big hosses up front, just run it. #6 just ran for 5 yards the previous play, why can't we get 4 yards on the next one???"

Difference being - the WRs were catching the ball last night (executing)

Another difference - #6 was in there as a change of pace burner, after Berry was in there as the brawler

The drive to put the Canes up 19-10 starting at the Canes own 36, play calling: 6 pass, 3 rush .... with an 11 yard rec., a 9 yard rec., a 16 yard rec., a 24 yard rec.

[Bad Bart]

I guess that rumored players only meeting did some good. Again, if they continue to play that way, they WILL win the ACC and the bowl.

[Aces & Canes]

Just a proud Cane fan today.
There will be no negatives from that performance.
There is always room for improvement, but just remember how you've been feeling the last couple of weeks and then think about it.
We were a completely different team last night, fired up and focused. Something we haven't really seen this year. They really turned it around this week.

The hangovers hurt a hell of alot less after a dominating win. The world is just a better place when the boyz kick some ass.
Keep on doing what U doin boyz, cause we liking it!!!

Go Canes

[Six]

I'd like to thank Donte Paige-Moss from UNC as well last night, for doing Jacory dirty on a play after tackling him and sparking something inside Jacory to make him go facemask-to-facemask with Paige-Moss when he stood up ... the ref had to come between them to separate them

It brought back similar memories of the game against Virginia last year when Jacory got up in the face of Cam Johnson after he ripped the helmet off Jacory on a fumble recovery attempt

Jacory then got up, after Jason Fox came running in to shove Johnson, and didn't back down

[Sebastian]

Santana Moss continues the streak

[macjones]

Miami @ Virginia
Charlottesville, Va.
12:00 PM

| TV: ESPN or ESPN2

http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbal/acc-m-footbl-body.html

jUst imagine U'all. So far this season, Team Shannon has had ALL of it's games on ESPN/ESPN-2/ABC national telly.

The exception to the pryme tyme rule was their opening game of the 2010 campaign.

By the way Miami fandom. YoUr Canes should be at least a - 16 1/2 point road chalk against lowly Virginia. No.

[macjones]

Miami, F-L-A Hurricanes have major college football's NUMERO UNO pass efficiency defense.

And, the Hurricanes have the country's No. 18 overall team defense. Say it ain't so. LOL

The game against lowly Virginia will give Team Shannon's D-Unit, an opportunity to improve all of their defensive category stats.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/stats/2010/divia/team/index/html

[elliott]

Can someone please tell me why the Virginia and Miami game Saturday is NOT being picked up by anyone? No espn3 not even Gameplan? Sure enough this always happens right after the Canes have a good game the next game is a noon game that isn't televised.

[Sebastian]

ESPN/ESPN2

[SOUP]

First i gotta say, I was wayyyyyyy wrong..No way did I think the Canes would win this game, let alone by 3 scores

Posted by: Playa..The Blogger Formerly Known as Rashad | October 24, 2010 at 11:46 AM

Uh, I think I told U, over and over again that we would win, yes?

I even went so far as to GUARANTEE it, yes?

U stubborn little butch U!

U want your crow with sauce or without it? LOL

[SOUP]

Just made it back to the 863 from the 954.

3 hours, door-to-door.

I'm STILL smiling ear to ear!

[SOUP]

Santana Moss continues the streak

Posted by: Sebastian57 | October 24, 2010 at 02:38 PM

Yeah baby!

Dolphins trailing Steelers 20-19 fourth quarter.

[SOUP]

Shannon should be pleased overall but the inconsistency, esp in the 1st half, remains a correctable concern

Posted by: FranklinCane | October 24, 2010 at 01:37 PM

Franklin...welcome to The Space. Post here, post often!

[Aces & Canes]

Keep on smiling bro!!!!
All about them Canes all the time!!

[SOUP]

Soup, I hope that you can say I GOT THIS for every remaining game this season!!!

Posted by: Bad Bart | October 24, 2010 at 01:18 PM

Stay tuned. I said at the beginning of the season there were only three teams taht could beat Miami in 2010: OSU, FSU and VT.

Some people wanted to get all excited about Clemson and GT. NOT!

Now Miami can beat themsleves any week but the only game left that we can lose by getting beaten by the other team is VT.

So enjoy the next few weeks at UVA, home against MD and in Hotlanta against GT.

Canes will be 8-2 heading into the VT game at home for the right to play in the ACC title game on the line.

Not ready to call that one yet. Check back in a few weeks...

[macjones]

Can someone please tell me why the Virginia and Miami game Saturday is NOT being picked up by anyone? No espn3 not even Gameplan? Sure enough this always happens right after the Canes have a good game the next game is a noon game that isn't televised.

Posted by: elliott | October 24, 2010 at 03:07 PM

Yous obviously don't bother to do a little research. Do U's. LOL
????????????????????????????

Miami @ Virginia
Charlottesville, Va.
12:00 PM

| TV: ESPN or ESPN2

http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-footbal/acc-m-footbl-body.html

Obviously, both the A.C.C. and ESPN/ABC could make a change in plans. Yes. Or No. LOL

[SOUP]

Keep on smiling bro!!!!
All about them Canes all the time!!

Posted by: Aces & Canes | October 24, 2010 at 03:22 PM

ROGER THAT!

[macjones]

Whatever happened to Captain Optimist AKA Cavaleer. He didn't happen to get himself ' exiled ' from Canespace.

jUst wondering, because I do miss his takes on Miami football.

[solarcane]

People complain about how "good" Randy makes his players conduct themselves in the classroom.

Consider this

If we were in UNC's shoes last night and had to play minus the first teamers and key backups at positions UNC suspended or kicked off we would have played the game with out:

Hankerson
B Harris
S Spence
Berry
James
Bailey
Forston
Telemque

I still don't know how UNC won 4 in a row missing 8 of the best players on their team.

We keep our nose clean and hit the books we never face that stuff.