Canespace: September 2013

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UM vs USF: The Game

Raymond James Stadium sure has seen more than its fair share of losing by the home teams during the 2013 football season. So far the local boys are 0-5 at home in the oppressive heat of the Florida Summer.

The "Ray-Jay" as most locals call it, is a stadium that primarily serves as a the home field for the Tampa Bay Bucaneers. The Bucs have started this season 0-4 and 0-2 at home while the University of South Florida Bulls are 0-4 on the current campaign and 0-3 at home.

That can't be very much fun for the hometown fans, now can it?

Starting QB Josh Freeman got benched for rookie Sean Glennon (from NCST) by former UM defensive secondary coach and current Bucs head coach Greg Schiano. Word on the street in Tampa is that Freeman may allegedly be suffering from a severe case of scurvy that is going around in the 813.

It appears to many observers and the local media that Schiano may be struggling to keep his team on track while he adjusts to the NFL game after leaving a successful stint as head coach at Rutgers. He has Dave Wannstedt and Butch Davis to back him up but the team has not yet responded to his leadership and some may have even jumped ship.

Much like the Miami Hurricanes share Sun Life Stadium with the NFL's Miami Dolphins, the USF Bulls share Raymond James Stadium with the Bucs. The stadium is nice enough and has good access and parking. We always enjoy our time there having made our third trip to Tampa for the USF game this year.

But the Ray-Jay stadium is completely different from the 305. To be honest, I like Sun Life much better for tailgating, watching a game and the general atmosphere. It was even as if Darth Vader showed up in Tampa because he had to, but would much rather be back in the 305 just chillin'.

The game last Saturday was a vivid display of absolute contrasts. It showed a game between two teams that are certainly headed in two very different directions, and fast.

Clearly, Miami under Al Golden is ascending up through the college football hierarchy while USF under first year head coach Willie Taggart is definitely descending into the bottom third of major college football programs.

Now before you read too much into that last sentence we realize the Taggart is a good coach who inherited a bad team left behind by the bumbling, stumbling Skip Holtz. Rule number one for Athletic Directors around the Country is never hire a coach named Skip. Trust me, it never turns out good.

So far in 2013 the previously porous UM defense (think swiss cheese) looks like a completely new animal under much criticized coordinator Mark D'Onofrio. The man who was recently called "D'No" apparently has completed a complete transformation into a new coach called "D'So".

How that happened we do not know but we do not care. Coach D'Onofrio has the current UM defense playing lights out and we can only hope it continues as ACC play starts against Georgia Tech this Saturday. Shutting down the Jackets offense should be easy enough for D'So's aggressive defense.

With that the Hurricanes will be 5-0 and ready to go as the conference schedule heats up even as the weather hopefully cools down. We have heard from reliable sources that FSU is scared.Very scared.

Could that even possibly be true? Yeah, we think so!

Posted at 06:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (165)

Miami Hurricanes Release New Depth Chart

Miami Hurricanes head coach Al Golden released his team's latest depth chart heading into Saturday's ACC opener against Georgia Tech.

Miami (4-0) is No. 14 in the latest AP and USA TODAY Coaches Top 25 polls and enters its ACC opener on a six-game winning streak, including a four-game series streak against Georgia Tech (3-1, 2-1). Saturday's game will kick at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

Senior Jared Wheeler and junior Shane McDermott remain co-starters at center. Wheeler has started the last two games in place of an injured McDermott.

Sophomore Herb Waters and freshman Stacy Coley are still listed as co-starters at the slot receiver, while Waters and junior Phillip Dorsett are still co-starters at the third wideout spot.

On defense, freshman Alex Figueroa and junior Thurston Armbrister are listed as co-starters at outside linebacker.

Posted at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (81)

Canes Castrate Bulls

Your Miami Hurricanes beat the USF Bulls 49-21 on a sunny and sweltering Saturday at Raymond James Stadium. The game was close for the first part of the first quarter. And after that, well, not so much.

As a result, Miami is 4-0 for first time since 2004 because so many Canes fans showed up in Tampa like Native, Raize and 86Cane (L to right R)

Miami has won six straight games in convincing fashion dating back to 2012 .

And speaking of fashion, well here is some right here if U get my drift.

So what I am really saying is dig those boots!

Miami has not trailed in a game for the last 357 minutes of game time.

They may never trail again if Al Golden keeps this team on its current pace.

We came, we saw, and then as previously planned, we took their women.

So, is there really any more to say?

Posted at 09:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (124)

Game Day Blog: Miami vs USF

Your Miami Hurricanes prepare to run with the USF Bulls in Tampa today at noon at Raymond James Stadium. Several bloggers from Canespace will be on hand to witness the slaughter.

We will be parked in lot E4 and sitting in section 329, Row M.

Score Predicition: UM 41, USF 17

GO CANES, BEAT THE BULLS!

Posted at 07:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (260)

Coach + Leader + Teacher = Larranaga

Hurricanes men’s basketball coach Jim Larrañaga has been appointed as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences at the University of Miami, the school announced Friday afternoon.

“We are delighted to have an exceptional educator like Coach Larrañaga join our Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences,” said Dr. Isaac Prilleltensky, Dean, School of Education and Human Development. “He is a fantastic teacher on the court and in the classroom and our students stand to gain much from his experience and expertise.”

Due to his head coaching responsibilities, Larrañaga will serve as a guest lecturer at several different classes in the School of Education and Human Development throughout the semester.

“I’ve always seen myself as an educator; I graduated with a degree in education and I always planned to be a teacher,” said Larrañaga. “I’ve had the great pleasure of teaching young men the game of basketball, but I was also a member of the faculty in the school of management at George Mason University. That provided me an opportunity to interact with a large number of students and to be in a classroom environment, which I enjoy very much. Being a member of the faculty of the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development will give me the opportunity to interact with more students than ever before.”

Larrañaga and the Hurricanes begin official practice next Friday, Sept. 27, then open the 2013-14 season with an exhibition game against Florida Tech on Oct. 30 before starting the regular season on Nov. 8 against St. Francis (N.Y.).

Posted at 07:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (217)

Running With The Bulls

FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MIAMI, THIS IS BREAKING NEWS:

THERE IS A HURRCANE WARNING IN EFFECT FOR THE TAMPA BAY AREA THROUGH THIS WEEKEND...HURRICANE FORCE WINDS AND SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED IN AND AROUND THE TAMPA BAY AREA ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 28TH...ALL INTERESTED PARTIES IN THE AFFECTED AREA SHOULD BEGIN TAKING NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS AND IMPLEMENTING PERSONAL HURRICANE PLANS AT THIS TIME...IF YOU LIVE IN THE TAMPA AREA OR HAPPEN TO ATTEND THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA WE RECOMMEND THAT YOU EVACUATE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY...YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

The undefeated Miami Hurricanes will travel across the State of Florida from East to West to face off with the South Florida Bulls next Saturday at Raymond James Stadium.

While the Hurricanes are riding high at 3-0 and coming off a record setting performance against hapless Savannah State last Saturday the Bulls are struggling and can't seem to get out of their own way as they enter the contest at 0-3.

Here are some of the details of the gridiron contest in Tampa this weekend.

GAME INFORMATION - GAME 4
15/15 MIAMI HURRICANES (3-0) at NR/NR USF BULLS (0-3)

Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013 • 12 p.m. ET • ESPNU • Raymond James Stadium (65,787)

SERIES HISTORY

Miami leads 4-1, including 2-0 in Tampa. UM has won last two meetings.

BROADCAST INFORMATION
ESPN3 • Tom Hart, Play-by-Play • John Congemi, Analyst
WQAM 560 AM • Joe Zagacki, PXP • Don Bailey Jr., Analyst • Josh Darrow, Sideline Reporter
RADIO CARACOL 1260 AM • Roly Martin, PXP • Pepe Campos, Analyst • Joe Martinez, Analyst
WVUM 90.5 FM • Chris Wittyngham • Chip Brierre • Gabriel Ibrahim
Satellite Radio • Sirius 136 • XM 191

THE FIVE BIG THINGS THAT U NEED TO KNOW:

Miami ranks 4th nationally in pass efficiency and red zone defense.

Miami’s offensive line has allowed only two sacks in 3 games (5th).

Miami’s defense has allowed only two touchdowns in 3 games in 2013.

Duke Johnson is tied for 11th nationally in all-purpose yards per game.

The Duke is the only player in UM history with 3 kickoff returns of 95+ yards.

HOW DO U SPELL CLUTCH? WELL, CLIVE OF COURSE!

How clutch has junior TE Clive Walford been for the Miami Hurricanes offense? 17 of Walford’s last 18 touches has resulted in either a Miami first down or touchdown. Walford has 7 catches through the first 3 games of 2013. Five have resulted in a first down, one resulted in a touchdown and the other was an 8-yard gain.

THIS IS JUST FOR KICKS:

Sophomore PK Matt Goudis more than doubled his career PAT total on Saturday, connecting on a school-record 11 PATs during a 77-7 win over Savannah State. Goudis became just the 10th kicker in the last 15 years of college football to go at least 11 for 11 on extra points in a game. Goudis is a perfect 20-for-20 this season on kick attempts (18-18 PAT, 2-2 FG).

The plan is for UM fans to travel with their team to Tampa and cheer the Hurricanes on the vicotry. We will arrive in Tampa on Friday night, have dinner and arrive early at Ray-Jay for the scheduled beatdown of the Bulls.

Then we will take their women and leave town on our victory tour 12% bus.

That is all.

Posted at 06:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (131)

Hurricanes Go Deep

Miami Hurricanes head coach Al Golden released his team's latest depth chart heading into Saturday's final nonconference test at USF.

Following the Hurricanes' 77-7 win over Savannah State, several position battles have emerged on both offense and defense.

Senior Jared Wheeler and junior Shane McDermott are listed as co-starters at center. Wheeler started against Savannah State in place of an injured McDermott.

Behind sophomore RB Duke Johnson, the Canes' No. 2 back is between sophomore Dallas Crawford, senior Eduardo Clements and freshman Gus Edwards. All three combined for 236 rushing yards and five rushing scores against Savannah State.

Sophomore Herb Waters and freshman Stacy Coley are listed as co-starters at the slot receiver, while Waters and junior Phillip Dorsett are co-starters at the third wideout spot.

On defense, freshman Alex Figueroa and junior Thurston Armbrister are listed as co-starters at outside linebacker. Dorsett and Coley are listed as co-starters on both punt and kick returns.

Miami (3-0), who is ranked No. 15 in both the AP and USA TODAY Sports Coaches polls, is 3-0 for the first time since 2004.

The Hurricanes will travel to Tampa to face the USF Bulls on Saturday. Kickoff is set for noon ET on ESPNU.

Posted at 09:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (99)

A Walk In the Park for Gray Crow

16/17MIAMI (3-0) 77, SAVANNAH STATE (1-3) 7
SUN LIFE STADIUM • SEPT. 21, 2013 • ATTENDANCE: 42,571

MISCELLANEOUS AND SERIES NOTES:
• First game between Miami and Savannah State
• Was largest margin of victory for Al Golden as a head coach.

Gray Crow threw his first career touchdown pass.

TEAM NOTES:
• 77 points marks most in program history, breaking the record of 75 in 1954.
• Miami was 6-for-9 on third downs.
• Miami extends its win streak to five straight games - the first such streak since the 2008 regular season (Oct.11 – Nov. 13). The Hurricanes have not won six straight games since 2005 season (Sept. 24 – Nov. 12).
• The 3:53 scoring drive in the second quarter was the longest of the season. All scoring drives prior to that had been 2:49 or less.

And of course, Gray Crow threw his first career touchdown pass.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES:
• Stephen Morris moves to 10th on UM all-time passing list with 5,272.
• Duke Johnson’s 95-yard kickoff return to open the game matches the longest of his career.
• Allen Hurns’ 80-yard touchdown reception was the longest of his career.
• 36 yard reception for Clive Walford, his longest of the 2013 season.
• 17 of Walford’s last 18 touches have been first downs or touchdowns.
• Duke Johnson’s 95-yard return is tied for the eighth-longest in program history. It’s a four-way tie – three of the four are Duke (vs. Bethune – 9/17/2012, vs. Virginia – 11/10/2012 and tonight). The other is Tremain Mack, who returned one against Syracuse 11/30/96.
• Deon Bush sees first action of the 2013 season.
• Duke Johnson has 100 or more all-purpose yards in six of his last seven games.
• Stephen Morris has a passing touchdown in each of his last eight games.
• That 80-yard pass from Morris to Hurns is the second-longest of his career, shy of the 87-yarder he completed last season against USF (Nov. 17, 2012). The catch represents the longest for Hurns, besting his previous high of 41 yards from sophomore year (Oct. 8, 2011 vs. Virginia Tech).
• Duke Johnson has scored a touchdown in seven straight games dating back to last year’s 30-12 win over Virginia Tech on Nov. 1, 2012.
• Stacey Coley caught a career-first touchdown pass.
• Crawford’s 3 TDs are the first for a Hurricane since Duke Johnson accomplished the feat against the Duke Blue Devils Nov. 24, 2012.
• Gus Edwards scores first career TD (3 on the night).
• Gray Crow threw first career touchdown pass.

Did I mention that Gray Crow threw his first career touchdown pass?

Posted at 10:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (103)

Game Day Blog: Miami vs Savannah State

There is a day. There is a game. But really is there much more than that?

Miami vs Savannah State? That is a more like a mild scrimmage.

So here is what we hope for from a meaningless game:

1. Nobody gets hurt.

2. The 'Canes score so many points it's like kids taking a walk in the park.

3. Nobody gets hurt.

4. The UM defense plays smart and plays hard and pitches a shutout.

5. Nobody gets hurt.

6. The UM offense behind QB Gray Crow looks more cohesive and consistent.

7. Nobody gets hurt.

8. The special teams with CaneZilla and LT#36 look really special.

9. Nobody gets hurt.

10. The Canes play so many 2nd and 3rd stringers that you do not even know their names and after tailgating well you don't even care!

Posted at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (409)

DiMare Is Definitely A Difference Maker

In its 31st annual breakdown of college baseball's top recruiting classes the Collegiate Baseball newspaper ranked the Miami Hurricanes' 2013 group as the fourth-best in the nation.

The ranking is the best for a Miami Hurricanes’ class since 2006, when head coach Jim Morris’ incoming group was ranked No. 2 by the publication.

“The fact is Gino [DiMare] and J.D. [Arteaga] have worked very hard on this class,” Morris said. “Gino coming back as our recruiting coordinator has had a big impact. Having such a high ranking correlates to having a good team, and I’m excited about this group of guys.”

The Hurricanes class is comprised of 14 freshman and two junior college transfers. Four of Miami’s newcomers were selected in the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft: outfielder Willie Abreu (Cincinnati Reds), first baseman/pitcher Derik Beauprez (Boston Red Sox), catcher Zack Collins (Cincinnati) and outfielder Jacob Heyward (Atlanta Braves).

“It’s very exciting. We always want to be ranked among the top 10 - that’s our goal every year,” DiMare said. “So to have a class in the top five certainly says a lot for how hard all of our coaches are working.”

The newcomers will be joining a strong nucleus of returners that guided Miami to its college baseball- record 41st consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship in 2013.

“The strength of our team is our veteran pitching, but I think we have a good combination of young guys that are working hard,” Morris said. “Our new strength coach Brian Gabriel is doing a great job with them. We have a chance to be really successful.”

Despite the ranking, DiMare says the focus is on where this group ends up down the road rather than when they first arrive on campus.

“We’ve got a big group of really talented players that have shown up,” DiMare. “From this stage forward, we have to develop them as much as we can. The proof is where they end up in three or four years. We have to work hard to make sure they reach their potential.”

Florida State (No. 3), NC State (No. 13), North Carolina (No. 17), Virginia (No. 22), Clemson (No. 32) and Georgia Tech (No. 35) round out the ranked ACC classes. To read the full release from Collegiate Baseball newspaper, click HERE.