Miami Does Manhattan

After dispatching of Boston College in the season opener last week in Chestnut Hill, MA your Miami Hurricanes will travel well outside the footprint of the Atlantic Coast Conference and take their road game to Manhattan, Kansas to face the #21 ranked Kansas State Wildcats in the second game of the 2012 season.

Not to be confused with its big brother in New York State, the "Little Apple" is not known for its big business, bright lights and broadway stars but for its small, college town appeal and its consistent, steady and successful brand of football under long time head coach Bill Snyder (160-83-1).

Snyder has been doing Manhattan way before Manhattan was cool.  And, after 20 years at the helm of the Wildcats program there is no doubt that the old, sly, silver fox knows a thing or two about coaching college football. Miami will face a disciplined, well-coached team that executes a solid game plan.

That means that second year Hurricane head coach Al Golden (along with coordinators Jedd Fisch and Mark D'Onofrio) really has his work cut out for him today.  Golden lost last year's head-to-head match-up with Snyder 28-24 in the Orange Bowl in a game the hinged on two big plays.

Late in the fourth quarter Wildcat RB John Hubert busted loose for a 47-yard run on third-and-1, catching UM in a goal-line defense with just about everyone on the line of scrimmage. After that momentum building burst Kansas State went the full 80 yards on eight plays capped by Hubert's score from 2 yards out and putting Miami in need of late game heroics.

Miami did manage to drive the distance of the field with little time left in the game but Kansas State's defense rose up and stopped UM QB Jacory Harris at the goal line on fourth down with :49 seconds left in the game to seal the victory for the Wildcats.

This year Golden and company are hoping for a much different outcome in Kansas.  This year's Hurricane football team, although much younger and less experienced than last year's team, are bigger, stronger and faster thanks to another year of the "UTough" conditioning program instituted by Golden and managed by long-time UM strength and conditioning coach Andreu Swasey.

This UM team is much more dangerous and has more weapons, some of them even top secret, to work with (seen below).  We have reason to believe that the term "Wildcat" does not just refer to a team from Kansas, but of course that is just be wild speculation on our part.

The question still remains: Will that be enough to get the 'Canes across the goal line late in the fourth quarter when needed?  Only time will tell, but we have reason to believe that it will.

This year we expect to see OL Seantrel Henderson lined up at fullback (yeah I said it!) in front of hard-charging RB Mike James carrying the ball and not lanky QB Jacory Harris trying to desperately nose the ball across the goal line.

In a line from a song titled "I Know A Little" performed by legendary Southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd there is a line that goes a little something like this:

"The bigger the city well the brighter the lights,

The bigger the dog well the harder it bites."

As everyone knows Miami, FL is by far much bigger and much brighter than Manhattan, KA. So we say: LET THE BIG DOG EAT!

Canespace Prediction: Big Dog Canes 34, Little Kitty Cats 31

Comments

[Laquinton]

yeahhhh. i didnt want to say it. but that ride to coral gables is going to be a long one. D'No while I am sure is a good guy. But the defensive Co for the University of Miami noooo! When has Miami ever back to back had offensives put up 500+ of total offense. last week we couldnt stop the pass...this week the run? come on.. the non adjustments at half time is mind boggling... go canes. its going to be a long week.

[dj moonbat]

Hey, everybody stick around for the hilarious press conference, you know, where Golden actually seems like he knows what he's doing.

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | September 08, 2012 at 03:14 PM

Al gives good interview, that's for sure. The U got a huge upgrade in press relations by dumping Shannon. In every other facet of head coaching, it's tough for me to see where the huge upgrade is.

[raizecane]

I am going to play this game on the PS3....I'm taking K-State and see if i can rack up 250+ yards rushing.

[WWIN]

Morris did the best he could do considering the circumstances. NO BLAME should go to him. Look at the pass protection, no running game, and dropped passes again

[jerry]

somebody needs to get fired today!!! Maybe a pair..

[SJMPARMAN]

He better not say he has the utmost confidence in the defensive scheme after this week. Also at some point the AD is going to take the choice of D Coordinator out of Golden's hands.

I would like to think of some positives for the blog. The kids didn't quit. But there just wasn't alot of positives. Sometimes you just lose like this. It sucks but you move on.

[Panamacitycane]

Duke needs the start. D'no has to go...I can't believe we didn't adjust in the 2nd half. One ksate recognized we didn't adjust they just exploited all our weaknesses... give credit to kstate even if we played better we still lose this game...time to drink away the pain...this feels worst then the last game in the orange bowl because I had such high expectations this week. I feel live I was just punched in the face with reality.

[86Cane]

I need some advice:

Should I do laundry or pull weeds?

[solarcane]

ogv,
last week al acknowledged we had a couple things on defense we needed to tweak but he'd get that fixed.

this presser should be epic

[CGNC]

86 - I go with weeds

[Clwtrdan]

Wow....um....uh....er....wow.

[CGNC]

Willie Will - I agree Morris was not the problem. Its simple really: we had a road game against a much better team.

[Account Deleted]

86 - second the weeds....

[solarcane]

Something kinda sad

just a few years back on here guys were going crazy throwing things at the TV, refusing to admit we were sliding into mediocrity.
Three head coaches later we are pretty calm and getting ready to pull some weeds, celebrate an anniversary, or maybe just kick back and watch real college football in the SEC.

[Account Deleted]

AG post game bingo

We didn't execute very well today - really?

We'll know more after we look at the film - do you really want to watch that again??

Players need to step up - and over, the bs is getting pretty deep

We've got a week to get better - sure, with a 1-AA game next it's easy to say

[roachcane77]

We're just not big enough or tough enough on the D-line, and our LBs just seem too slow for coverage and perimeter containment.

How you gonna stop anyone with THAT combination?

By the way, A. Brown, for supposedly not being very smart, played a heck of a game.

[raizecane]

I need some advice:

Should I do laundry or pull weeds?

Posted by: 86Cane | September 08, 2012 at 03:20 PM

*****************************************

YES!!!

[raizecane]

guys were NOT flying around out there......

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Don't worry bunky, your precious little turds are about to get similar treatment from a bunch of fake lone star reichers.

[Account Deleted]

from Manny tweet AG is going to look at everything tomorrow and get it fixed for next week - bingo!!

[CGNC]

Solar- LOL life goes on. This was a beat down by a better team that played better, that's all. Think back: loss against Syracuse when they had McNabb, when we went to Norman Oklahoma, and last game at the OB come to mind. This is not the first beatdown the Canes have ever taken.

[Montreal-Cane]

We're just not big enough or tough enough on the D-line, and our LBs just seem too slow for coverage and perimeter containment.

Posted by: roachcane77 | September 08, 2012 at 03:33 PM

This is it!

[Montreal-Cane]

Final Virginia 17
Penn St. 16

[roachcane77]

Hey Curse... Thanks for stopping by and showing what a scumbag you remain... Actually restores my faith in our team to know that a lowlife like you still slithers by like the bottom dwelling snake you are to make your BS comments.
I would say you're a poor excuse for a human being, but that would be a compliment.
It's a shame you have nowhere else to go, you must be very lonely.

[CGNC]

rom Manny tweet AG is going to look at everything tomorrow and get it fixed for next week - bingo!!

Posted by: longtimecanefan | September 08, 2012 at 03:37 PM

http://www.google.com/imgres?num=10&hl=en&biw=1016&bih=621&tbm=isch&tbnid=zJlRuiDzB7G7YM:&imgrefurl=http://www.wayneswcd.org/eqmanurecompost.html&docid=x0PVCHYADBppUM&imgurl=http://www.wayneswcd.org/Images/Equine%252520pics/poopforsale.jpg&w=176&h=200&ei=vJ9LUNrhA4Oc8gSRxIDoDg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=402&sig=105772051728875950500&page=4&tbnh=136&tbnw=124&start=55&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:15,s:55,i:303&tx=55&ty=60

[86Cane]

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES
• Today’s Captains: RB Mike James, QB Stephen Morris, CB Brandon McGee and LB Denzel Perryman
• Weather at Kickoff : 64 degrees, clear. Wind from the W at 3 mph. 50 percent humidity.
• Today marks the fi rst-ever visit to Bill Snyder Family Stadium for the Hurricanes.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES
• Today’s Defensive Starters: DE Anthony Chickillo, DT Darius Smith, DT Olsen Pierre, DE Shayon Green, LB Eddie Johnson, LB Denzel
Perryman, LB Ramon Buchanan, CB Brandon McGee, S Kacy Rodgers, S Vaughn Telemaque and CB Thomas Finnie
• Today’s Off ensive Starters: WR Allen Hurns, LT Malcolm Bunche, LG Jon Feliciano, C Shane McDermott, RG Brandon Linder, TE Dyron Dye, TE
Clive Walford, QB Stephen Morris, RB Mike James, WR Phillip Dorsett
• Sophomore TE Clive Walford’s 56-yard catch and run in the fi rst quarter was the longest reception of his career. It was the longest pass play
of the season for the Canes. He also recorded his second career touchdown on a two-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
• Sophomore DE Anthony Chickillo ended the fi rst quarter with a sack of Collin Klein. It was the Hurricanes’ fi rst sack of the 2012 season.
• Senior K Jake Wieclaw is now a perfect 4-for-4 on season after putting the Canes on the board with a 32-yard FG in the fi rst quarter and
adding a 27-yarder to close out the half.
• Redshirt freshman LB Eddie Johnson started his fi rst game for the Hurricanes and recorded a career high in tackles with seven stops (three
solo, four assist).
• Senior CB Brandon McGee’s third-quarter interception of Collin Klein was the second of his career and the fi rst since picking one off against
USF in 2011.
• Sophomore WR Rayshawn Scott collected career high in catches and receiving yards with four and 39, respectively.
• Freshman RB Duke Johnson racked up a career-high 77-yard kickoff return in the fourth quarter to help setup a touchdown.
• Sophomore QB Ryan Williams recorded his fi rst touchdown pass as a Hurricane in the fourth quarter. He now has 14 career passing
touchdowns.
• Junior DL Shayon Green led the Hurricanes with a career-high eight tackles, including one 19-yard tackle for loss.
• Sophomore DL Olsen Pierre made a career-high seven stops on defense. He also forced a fumble.
• In his second career game, freshman DB Deon Bush made six tackles and forced a fumble.

[Tsully76]

Thanks Solar, I am not prisoner of the moment guy so I think we will go 7-5 maybe 8-4 if we are lucky nothin more than that. 86 let it rip I look forward to your postgame blog even after a painful loss. I need a Sam Adams Octoberfest beer pronto. Well at least this time next week our Canes will be 2-1. Go Canes

[86Cane]

86 - second the weeds....

Posted by: longtimecanefan | September 08, 2012 at 03:28 PM

Got it, I'm all over it.

[86Cane]

Deleting at will.

[Jiggafras]

The last time we got smacked like this was 07 at OU. I hope we are not that bad. No'D should give Bill Young is 08 playbook back. Golden needs to think about this hard before he talks about how much confidence he has in him

[SJMPARMAN]

KSU - 60 rushes 308 yards. 11 passes 210 yards. 73% 3rd down oonversion rate.

Major change needed in defensive philosophy.

[Account Deleted]

for those out of town like me WQAM is on the web live stream post game talk

[dj moonbat]

Golden needs to think about this hard before he talks about how much confidence he has in him

Posted by: Jiggafras | September 08, 2012 at 03:54 PM

Again: this is GOLDEN's defense. D'Onofrio is just borrowing the keys. D'Onofrio's not going anywhere.

[raizecane]

Matt Barkley born the day I got married...Damn i am old

[WWIN]

Did ksu just score again

[BahamaCane]

Missed the game today, but from the comments, it looks like its i didnt miss anything.

[Jiggafras]

Posted by: dj moonbat | September 08, 2012 at 03:56 PM

Golden was the DC for UVA, that's not how the hell they played, and btw being and DC is as much as playcalling as scheme. No'D don't have a clue about playcalling....same as myself. Golden can either relieve the guy of his duties or sink with him. We have a offense to give us 9 wins if they don't have the pressure of scoring every possession. The defense is the caliber of Savannah State

[RARA]

I'm not a regular and I haven't posted in a very long time, but I believe I have identified the problem on defense. The scheme itself is not the problem per se, but D'No philosophy of running the scheme. The problem is that D'No is running a read and react defense. The problem is that right now we don't have the talent at the D tackle spot to run a read and react defense. That affects the play of the whole D line because the tackles don't get penetration and the ends aren't able to go up the field. Given that we lack talent and are young at D tackles and are young at D end we don't have the strength at this point to run a read and react defense (p.s. I never liked read and react defense). As a result, are LB's also play slow because of the inconsistent play at tackle (can't anticipate whether play is run or pass b/cuz offense is successful with both)and they are THINKING TOO MUCH. The reason the D looked better in the second half is because they knew BC had to throw more and they played a more attacking style. They should have gamed planned to play K-State this way as well. If I am AG I am instructing (demanding) that D'No play an attacking style to his scheme. I actually like the technical aspects of his defense, but I don't like his philosophy of reading and reacting. Especially for a young defense.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

dj, are you suggesting that Al Golden is a self-promoting egotist that thinks he's the smartest guy in the room?

No! He has options after all! At basketball schools!

[canesteeler]

TSully really, come om man we are not very good.

[Jiggafras]

Posted by: RARA | September 08, 2012 at 04:01 PM
Exactly my point. You have to have a front 4 to use this type of defense and btw the Dolphins tried this defense when Sporano just took over and it was atrocious. When Nolan took over with more attack the dolphins got better.

[Hassan]

Hearing rumors that Robinson is off the team now... just a rumor but keeping you in the loop

[86Cane]

First downs: UM 13, KSU 27

Rushing yards: UM 40, KSU 288

OK, so I'm done with that....

[RARA]

His read and react style is also the reason he plays his DB's so far off the ball in that soooft zone. That needs to change. DB's will get beat, but we need this team defense to play in attack mode so they can play faster. I don't think D'No is playing to the level of his talent and experience.

[Montreal-Cane]

Syracuse defense very impressive so far... good start vs USC...

In the 2nd

Syracuse 0
USC 0

[nemo2002]

Don't be a sucker for stupid slogans like "U Tough" or "fear the tie" or senseless nicknames "the plug". That's all a buch of bunk. Just like the over-hyped "305".

And don't settle for lame excuses like "we're a YOUNG team".

Bottom line: we're a BAD team. Sorry, Coach Golden. That's all that counts.

I wouldn't mind (so much) losing to K St., if at least we played well - if at least we were competitive. But we weren't competitive; U was embarrassed. We were blown away on BOTH sides of the ball - by a team we almost beat (and should have beaten) last year.

This is a bad sign . . . that, regrettably, our FB team this year is no better than last year's (mediocre) team.

We're not a top 10 team. We're not a top 20 team - not even close.
We're not a top team in the ACC. We're not even a top team in the ACC Coastal Division.
We're not the best team in the State of Florida. At best we're the top team in South Florida. Unfortunately, that is the lowly state of Miami football today. WHY?

I don't like losing. I don't like mediocrity. But it looks like 6-6 seasons and lame excuses are the nU normal at the U.

WHY?

[Account Deleted]

86....appreciate the stat's but really man, you're torturing yourself!!

[CGNC]

rara - whatever it is, it is painful to watch

[86Cane]

Hassan...no need for that, stop the RUMOR train, it has derailed MANY times before.

[Montreal-Cane]

Let's go get the Syracuse DC...Lol...