Flowers Powers

Back in December of 2011 long-time Canespace blogger Hassan and I were roaming around the Citrus Bowl wearing our 'Canes gear in Orlando on a relatively cool and overcast day during the FSHAA State football playoffs.

We, like many Miami Hurricane fans in attendance that day, were there to see Miami Norland RB Duke Johnson, the highly regarded and highly recruited high school phenom who had already verbally committed to Miami and would soon arrive in Coral Gables.

And sure enough Duke was as good as advertised as he put on a show for all the fans from the 305 there to see Miami Norland win a State championship.  Johnson scored on a few amazing returns and touchdown runs.

He later celebrated with his mother in the stands as we all witnessed a star in the making. We all knew that Duke would soon wear "The U" on his helmet and play for his hometown Hurricanes.

But what many fans did not see was two equally important things:

(1) #75 the big offensive tackle for the Norland Vikings that paved the way for much of Johnson's sucess during the game and the entire season; and

(2) legendary UM offensive line coach Art Kehoe sitting in the stands with Ereck Flowers' parents.

Forunately for Hassan and I, we quickly saw both. 

We watched Flowers dominate the line of scrimmage all game long as he pancaked defender after defender during the championship game.  By the end of the game we shared a laugh with several Norland fans in the stands who joked that "Flowers had served up more pancakes than IHOP!"

We also had the unique and rare chance to sit and chat with Coach Kehoe for about an hour. He was of course strategically positioned in the stands right next to Flowers' parents who were there to see their son win a FHSAA State Championship. Kehoe openly marveled about Flowers' size, talent and potential as a high school player and major college D-1 prospect.

Well apparently Flowers transition from a raw high school talent into a solid college player has gone without a hitch. Not only did the true Freshman start the first game of the season on the road against Boston College he also graded out at 94% for the game.

That performance drew praise from UM head coach Al Golden and left the UM offensive coaches wondering about where to play OL Seantrel Henderson who now sits behind Flowers on the latest depth chart.

While many Miami fans may be surprised at Flowers' starting the first game as a true Freshman it did not come as any surprise to Hassan or I.

Hassan managed to stick around for day 2 of the State playoffs and luckily had the chance to briefly talk to the big offensive lineman and his parents in the stands once again that following day.

That was when Flowers lowered his head, looked Hassan in the eye, and told him that he would be a Miami Hurricane and start at right tackle in game one as a Freshman.

Obviously Ereck Flowers is a man of his word.

We like that. Yeah, we like that a lot.

Comments

[86Cane]

Now in California, but a Cane fan forever.

Posted by: Harry Miller | September 06, 2012 at 01:21 AM

Harry...Welcome to The Space!

Thanks for the updates on Cali QB Ricky Town who was the MVP at one of Al Golden's football camps this Summer.

Can't wait to see you all for the UNC game on 10/13. Stay at the Hampton Inn in Plantation and join us for a Canespace tailgate at the stadium.

[86Cane]

PBCFR...I'll be here to try to coordinate everyone in Chicago. I am not going buthelp everyone get connected through the blog and email.

[Pbcfrcane13]

Man I love those raising canes videos!

[UpNorthCane27]

^^ for real those raising cane videos give me the chills. We got something special brewing in Coral Gables people and the nation will soon be witnessing the re-brith of UM greatness

[86Cane]

7. Running backs a plenty. There were several national standout performances in Week 1 from running backs in the ACC. Andre Ellington leads the nation in rushing with 228 yards; Duke Johnson had 135 yards against Boston College; Giovani Bernard had 203 all-purpose yards. What do they do for encore performances?

[86Cane]

1. Tests vs. ranked opponents. Last week, the big headliner was seeing if the ACC could enhance its image with victories over two top SEC opponents. The league went 1-1. While there are no SEC opponents on the schedule this week, the ACC has an opportunity to prove itself against two ranked teams: Miami travels to play No. 21 Kansas State, while Duke plays at No. 25 Stanford. Miami nearly beat Kansas State a year ago; Stanford looked extremely beatable in a too-close-for-comfort win over San Jose State last week. Is it possible to come out of these two road trips 2-0?

[86Cane]

Miami Hurricanes vs. Kansas State - By the Numbers

1 - Time Miami and Kansas State have ever met. The Wildcats won that 2011 game by a final score of 28-24.

14 - Hurricanes’ freshmen that appeared in their first college football game in the team’s season opener at Boston College, 12 of which were true freshmen.

28 - Completed passes by junior quarterback Stephen Morris against Boston College, a career-high.

35 - Points scored by Kansas State in the final quarter of their season-opening win against Missouri State.

41 - Points scored by Miami against Boston College, the most points by a Hurricanes team against an FBS school in a season-opener since beating Louisiana Tech 48-9 in 2003.

63 - Non-conference games out of 70 won by Kansas State since 1990, good for a .900 winning percentage.

82 - Non-offensive touchdowns scored by Kansas State since 1999, which ties Virginia Tech for the most in the country. WR Tramaine Thompson returned a punt 89 yards for a touchdown against Missouri State last week.

135 - Rushing yards by freshman Duke Johnson against Boston College, the most for a UM true freshman since Javarris James ran for 148 yards in 2006.

[Da U N Houston]

With the size of our young DE's, we need to capitalize on their best assets (SPEED) and teach them how to use more movement (double moves, spin, etc) to get by those big OT's. Look at the league, some of the best "rush" ends are undersized (albeit they are bigger then our guys Terry and McCord) but they really need to focus on their strengths (SPEED) and not their weakness (size) there'll be time for that in the offseason.

Let those guys line up a little wider and force the OT to work in space. Also, I'd line them up on the backside of the QB (None throwing arm) to give them freedom to use moves to get by the backside OT. Line Chick to the strength (throw arm) of the offense since he is more equiped to handle it.

I also think our DB's can cover their guys, its just our LB's that get kind of lost in who has who. But if you noticed BC did A LOT of motion and shifting. The reason is b/c once the O lines up and the D is in man coverage every guy finds their man (usually by counting from the outside in) ex. Wr furthest out is #1, slot #2, and RB is #3. So normally the LB has #3. but when you send that slot in motion it changes who has who and that's one of the main reason they did so much motion and our LB's were not on their guys.

I know none of this is new to AG, but just an observation.

[LB]

Re: The Newest Raising Canes Video.

I see a t-shirt at 5:30, which looks suspiciously like "Papa Cane." It's not hard to miss, just look for the giant orange and green foam hands.

:)

[LB]

It's wonderful to see Golden... how do I put this...

joyful? His expressions postgame were unscripted. The plan is starting to work.

I'm hunkering down for the Kansas State, praying for daylight, and enjoying a well deserved birthday lunch. I'll be listening/watching, in whatever capacity I can.

Viva Canespace.

[Ohio_Cane]

I see a t-shirt at 5:30, which looks suspiciously like "Papa Cane." It's not hard to miss, just look for the giant orange and green foam hands.

Posted by: LB | September 06, 2012 at 12:03 PM
-------------------------------------

Nice catch! Just asked him about that.

[86Cane]

I know none of this is new to AG, but just an observation.

Posted by: Da U N Houston | September 06, 2012 at 11:47 AM

Good observations nonetheless.

SPEED KILLS!

[Ohio_Cane]

All Canes Blog - Did Al Golden get his pregame speech at #BC from Will Smith? U Decide .. go to 3:22 mark http://youtu.be/ufiSXfhPXQc #AlDigsTheFreshPrince

LOL!

[UMike]

Ohio..is it possible to find out who the 2013 prospect PapaCane was talking about and email me?

[Ohio_Cane]

Manny - Canes injury report for K-State: Out: LB Raphael Kirby-Lower Extremity; DT Curtis Porter-Upper Extremity. That's it

[Ohio_Cane]

Ohio..is it possible to find out who the 2013 prospect PapaCane was talking about and email me?

Posted by: UMike | September 06, 2012 at 01:01 PM
-----------------------------------

When was he talking about a 2013 recruit? He didn't mention a name?

[86Cane]

Miami’s ACC Injury Report below.

Probable:

Doubtful:

Out:

Raphael Kirby-Lower Extremity

Curtis Porter-Upper Extremity

[Ohio_Cane]

Posted by: 86Cane | September 06, 2012 at 01:04 PM
--------------------------------

U slow! Lol ;-)

[Ohio_Cane]

I see a t-shirt at 5:30, which looks suspiciously like "Papa Cane." It's not hard to miss, just look for the giant orange and green foam hands.

Posted by: LB | September 06, 2012 at 12:03 PM
-----------------------------------------

Papa Cane said that was NOT him. He wasn't at the game. Said the guy is an imposter. Lol

[86Cane]

Ohio...it looks like the shirt says PURE CANE not PAPA CANE.

I got the UM injury report via email from Chris Yandle so I missed Manny on Twitter.

[Ohio_Cane]

86, ya someone on twitter just mentioned that. Does look like it says Pure and not Papa.

[herbieibis]

On the job training can be painful. Starting or playing 12 to 14 freshman, is a crap shoot. Ferman made a good pt. about not being strong enough, coming out of H.S., especially linemen, to really make an impact on a consistant basis. Flowers is probably going to be an exception to the rule. McCord, Terry, Hamilton, Ivery and some of the others will struggle. Ferman also stated that we need to get back to reshirting more players and giving them time to develop. Our situation is different, we really don't have a choice because of attrition, transfer or whatever a majority of our better players are under classmen. We'll just have to sacrifice today for what we'll gain tomorrow. DeNo played what, 13 different D-lineman and we still took the snails route to the QB. We have talent half of it is really not ready and would be better served to redshirt and the other half are servicable at best. In the end these pups will be better for having to go to the school of hard knocks and learning on the job. It's a shame to have to waste a year of eligibility to get that degree. It's not Goldies fault, he had no depth of talent gifted to him when he arrived.

[LB]

"86, ya someone on twitter just mentioned that. Does look like it says Pure and not Papa."

On closer inspection, I see that. Given the creativity of the graphics, though... you never know.

By the way, Seantrel Henderson is an excellent 6th or 7th man in on the line. Why is that a bad thing?

[orange 'n green in the vein]

It's a bad thing because he has more natural gifts than the other five or six guys in front of him. Art will get him going here though, too much potential for the man in the big hat to just let go quietly into the night and irrelevance.

[CGNC]

Let's Go Canes! Ready to watch on FX

[LB]

"It's a bad thing because he has more natural gifts than the other five or six guys in front of him. Art will get him going here though, too much potential for the man in the big hat to just let go quietly into the night and irrelevance."

It is bad, for him. I just don't think it hurts the team. I think it strengthens it. And seasons are never injury free (cross fingers for a clean year). The deeper we are, the better we are.

Speaking of the injury report, that's really freaking good. I hate to rush Kirby back, but I think we need him.

[tjl3909]

Bad news for VT-maybe the injury bug stays away from the U for a change (knock on wood)

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8343874/virginia-tech-hokies-dj-coles-rest-season

[Hassan]

Mcgee really tackled well in this BC game

[LB]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EJEJA0Lt4no#!

"Al Golden's tie!"

"They don't know what it's like to sleep with a rooster wakin' ya' up."

"Every morning we have to deal with goats... chasin' us... because they don't like us!" (I about crapped myself on that one)

Above are some of the gems from the K-State Mask. I wouldn't have posted that nonsense on here, but I think we all could use a laugh.

[Ohio_Cane]

LB, the guy is hilarious. He also obviously follows ESPN too closely and said he found out that "Duke" Johnson's real name is actually Davon. LOL!

[Ohio_Cane]

Mcgee really tackled well in this BC game

Posted by: Hassan | September 06, 2012 at 01:54 PM
-------------------------------------

Agreed. I'm cautiously optimistic this was not a fluke...

[LB]

"LB, the guy is hilarious. He also obviously follows ESPN too closely and said he found out that "Duke" Johnson's real name is actually Davon. LOL!"

He's got some good stuff. Hopefully he'll get some more publicity after we kick their behinds to Saturn.

[LB]

More gems from a one on one interview with the K-State Mask.

Responding About His Origins: "I was born to a wildcat mother..."

"It's EMAW. Every Man a Wildcat."

Responding to Predictions for the Season: "You think Charlie Sheen started winning? K-STATE... started winning. (Long Pause) We're going 11-1."

On Family: "I have no family. My family is 55,000 strong in the stands every Saturday."

On their Bowl Loss: "We were a boy team amongst a men's team."

[UMike]

Ohio..I think yesterday he tweeted something like elite 2013 south florida prospect said if UM offers he will commit since he loved them growing up

[UMike]

Papa Cane ‏@SaveUMFootball

A future elite South Florida student athlete told me: "I'm from Miami, if offered of course I'm going there, that's my home town." #TheU

[UMike]

I guess i assumes the 2013 part lol

[Ohio_Cane]

UMike, I'll ask. I missed that.

[UMike]

Im not sure of his direct email..so I thought I would ask you lol

[Hassan]

Johnson ran a 4.61 when the team recorded 40-yard dash times. He was bested on the linebacker corps by Denzel Perryman, who ran a 4.55.

In a recent practice, though, the two had to see for themselves who was faster.

So they raced.

According to Johnson, he tied Perryman.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: herbieibis | September 06, 2012 at 01:26 PM

Agreed. 100% Agreed.

[Ohio_Cane]

86, Larry Blustein finally follows Canespace. Lol

[86Cane]

86, Larry Blustein finally follows Canespace. Lol

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | September 06, 2012 at 03:32 PM

Yeah I have met him a few times at HS events and again at the CaneFest event a few weeks ago and we chatted for sometime. Smart guy, good guy, knows everything about every player in SoFl.

[UMike]

Well now I understand why MNF distanced themselves from Hank Williams, JR. lol

[86Cane]

FACTS & FIGURES

Miami is making its first Big 12 visit since beating former league member Texas A&M 41-23 on Sept. 20, 2008. ... Hurricanes played 14 freshmen in opener against Boston College. ... Miami had four sacks versus Eagles. ... Kansas State scored 42 points in final 22 minutes of opening 51-9 victory over Missouri State. ... Wildcats RB John Hubert had 95-yard TD run against the Bears, second-longest run from scrimmage in school history. ... WR Tramaine Thompson's 89-yard punt return TD against the Bears gave Kansas State 82 non-offensive scores since 1999 season. ... Hurricanes haven't opened the season with two road games since 2005. ... Wildcats are 10-3 in non-conference games against BCS opponents under Bill Snyder, including win over Miami in 2011. ... Kansas State is 118-27-1 over past 20 years at home. All but three losses are in Big 12 games.

[UMike]

86..am I missing something..when did Miami get 4 sacks against BC? lol

[86Cane]

UMike...inaccurate stat from the source.

[Hassan]

Luther Robinson arguing with the coaches and was not at practice today his status for sat is in doubt...

[86Cane]

NEW BLOG IS UP!