Epic Fail

I told you before the VT game that this was Al Golden's "Golden Moment".

I told you that this was the first MUST win game of his career at Miami.

I told you that failure, and losing, would not be acceptable or approved options.

I told you that against VT anything less than a victory would be unacceptable.

Well apparently Golden, his assistant coaches and the UM players did not listen.

Not only did Golden's Hurricanes fail and lose the game to the Hokies, they got humiliated in a bad way at a rain-soaked Sun Life Stadium on Saturday night.

As many other Miami fans did I arrived at Sun Life five hours early, sat in the stands for over three hours in a cold, drenching and at times pouring rain to watch an unprepared team play an unispired football game.

This morning I woke up sick, tired and about $300 poorer for having attended the debacle. That was when I thought: "You know, maybe I have better things to do with my time than pay money to be this miserable?"

So as not to bore you, I will not dwell on the horrible game, the negative outcome or the incriminating statistics. Instead I will focus on the only positive part of the experience: The tailgate.

But as I said, I am sick and tired after sitting in the rain, staying up most of the night and then driving three hours back home to Central Florida the day after the game, so I will keep it very brief.

First the throng of loyal Hurricane fans, old and young, showed up in force to prepare themselves for the important game.

Then, Miami's finest came through our quaint little tailgate at E5 to enforce some of the stadium rules that mostly everyone ignores.

Next, we turned some of Miami's finest loose on them and the always present, polite and professional PoPo eventually decided to leave us alone.

Then we wandered over to the Westside and found CutlerRidge Laz pouring shots from a full bottle of Patron Tequilla.

And the rest, as my guest for the game KYCane can tell you, is history!

Related articles

Golden's Golden Moment

UM vs VT: Game Analysis

Golden Is Golden

Miami Hurricanes let ACC Coastal Division lead slip away in loss to Virginia Tech

Comments

[Account Deleted]

uno

[Sarasota 'cane]

Bengals with the play of the day!!

[SOUP]

MIAMI:
5 Star Players: 2
4 Star Players: 22
3 Star Players: 62
2 Star Players: 7

DUKE:
5 Star Players: None
4 Star Players: 1
3 Star Players: 42
2 Star Players: 37

On paper this should be our most winnable game left.

Posted by: TonyCane | November 10, 2013 at 03:38 PM

Now go check Duke's results vs VT this year compared to Miami's. Be prepared to puke!

[VfB_Cane]

Rather, the Ravens with the knucklehead play of the day.

[TGU_CANE]

Can anyone say which unit has improved in the last three years. One?

[SOUP]

I have to say the cops were REALLY cool at the tailgate.

[WWIN]

Its also funny how Golden and D'no took credit for defensive improvements and credited it to players growing up and knowing the system after the fau, Florida, usf, and south fla games, but now all of a sudden they DONT KNOW THE SYSTEM??????

[SOUP]

Can anyone say which unit has improved in the last three years. One?

Posted by: TGU_CANE | November 10, 2013 at 04:22 PM

Cheerleaders?

[SOUP]

but now all of a sudden they DONT KNOW THE SYSTEM??????

Posted by: Willie Will in Nashville | November 10, 2013 at 04:22 PM

Uh, it is the NINTH game of the season and they don't know the system? LMAO

[TGU_CANE]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_D'Onofrio

Is this true or the page has been hacked? I think it's too good to be true.

[Account Deleted]

Can anyone say which unit has improved in the last three years. One?

Posted by: TGU_CANE | November 10, 2013 at 04:22 PM

I heard the upgraded the a/c in the locker room....that's about it.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Soup U really put things in perspective man. I am at a total loss of words.

[WWIN]

Can anyone say which unit has improved in the last three years. One?

Posted by: TGU_CANE | November 10, 2013 at 04:22 PM

Cheerleaders?

Posted by: SOUP | November 10, 2013 at 04:23 PM

You right about that!!! I seen a new cheerleader last night that I haven't seen all year and she wuz B-A-D!!!!! I started to book a flight

[Account Deleted]

So how much is Duke favored by???

if not...take the points....

[Terrance Sullivan]

The Cheerleaders are better no doubt. I will say this we better finish the season strong. BTW If we somehow play in Atlanta or Orlando for the Bowl Game I am down with that and will be there. If its somewhere else like El Paso or something. I will pass. Love my Canes but performances like last night does make U question if money being spent could be better spent elsewhere at least sometimes.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

That's an awesome wiki page!

[Ohio_Cane]

In case U didn't know... Andre Johnson is the REAL DEAL!!

[Terrance Sullivan]

LongtimeCaneFan I say Duke should be favored by 10 points. SMGDH!

[Terrance Sullivan]

Hell I would love it D'No got hired to be the FAU head coach and FIU would fire their head coach and hire Coley to be their head coach. IJS. We need new coordinators amongst other things badly.

[WWIN]

Also, I hope they threw dem jerseys in the trash after the game!!!

Don't go for new jerseys if you ain't willing to change the pants. Also, never put your team name on da back, that's SUPA LAME!

[Terrance Sullivan]

Also, I hope they threw dem jerseys in the trash after the game!!!

Don't go for new jerseys if you ain't willing to change the pants. Also, never put your team name on da back, that's SUPA LAME!

Posted by: Willie Will in Nashville | November 10, 2013 at 04:50 PM
Agreed.

[Account Deleted]

I think the line is Miami by 3 or 4.

Take the points....

[roachcane77]

I agree Terrance… the play calling and schemes on BOTH sides of the ball are ludicrous… our athletes are NOT being coached up and put in positions to succeed.

Plus our O-line & D-line were flat out dominated.

SOUP, I feel your pain man, and I respect you and all of the other fans who still make the long trips and pay all the money to pull for our guys. The payoff has GOT to get better.

[Terrance Sullivan]

I agree Terrance… the play calling and schemes on BOTH sides of the ball are ludicrous… our athletes are NOT being coached up and put in positions to succeed.

Plus our O-line & D-line were flat out dominated.

SOUP, I feel your pain man, and I respect you and all of the other fans who still make the long trips and pay all the money to pull for our guys. The payoff has GOT to get better.

Posted by: roachcane77 | November 10, 2013 at 04:59 PM
Agreed.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

I read somewhere that Canes games will now be broadcast on Comedy Central.

[Terrance Sullivan]

I read somewhere that Canes games will now be broadcast on Comedy Central.

Posted by: The Dude | November 10, 2013 at 05:02 PM
I was thinking Lifetime Channel

[VfB_Cane]

Scheme and formations aside, common sense and/or Football Coaching 101 give you some basic rules for playing in wet and slippery conditions.
* When you are the ball carrier and about to get hit, cradle the ball close to your body with both hands.
* If the ball is thrown directly at you, catch it with both hands and never take your eyes off the ball.
* If you get your hands on the ball carrier, don't try to knock him over or grab his jersey - wrap up and bring him down.
* If a loose ball is on the ground, don't try to pick it up, simply fall on it and cover with your body.

If we played last night just keeping these in mind, it's a close game until the end. It might not have been enough to win, but I'd take that over a 3 TD blowout.

Our coaching staff is unable to get the basics across, so I'm not holding my breath for the more sophisticated things to work.

[TonyCane]

SOUP,

Average stars for Duke: 2.55

Average stars for VT: 3.17

Average stars for Miami: 3.22

[Terrance Sullivan]

SOUP,

Average stars for Duke: 2.55

Average stars for VT: 3.17

Average stars for Miami: 3.22

Posted by: TonyCane | November 10, 2013 at 05:11 PM
So Basically Miami and VT have equal talent and they have a far superior coaching staff.

[SOUP]

Tony...I gotchU!

[TonyCane]

One thing I don't get this year...half the time when Morris goes to the line of scrimmage he pauses, backs up, looks to the sidelines for a few seconds, then goes back to the line of scrimmage. It happens play after play after play. If there was any effort to run an up tempo offense like last year, that is killing it. Is Cooley continuously changing the plays after they line up?

On the surface, it appears that we're confused half the time.

[NativeCane]

TGU Cane, you reckon OGV hacked wikipedia? Good find!

DEM CANES!!!

[Terrance Sullivan]

One thing I don't get this year...half the time when Morris goes to the line of scrimmage he pauses, backs up, looks to the sidelines for a few seconds, then goes back to the line of scrimmage. It happens play after play after play. If there was any effort to run an up tempo offense like last year, that is killing it. Is Cooley continuously changing the plays after they line up?

On the surface, it appears that we're confused half the time.

Posted by: TonyCane | November 10, 2013 at 05:17 PM
Agreed. Its a complete dumpster fire.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: SOUP | November 10, 2013 at 02:54 PM

Its unbelievable isn't it? Everyone knows how to beat this D. Run whatever crap you want on 1st and 2nd down, then on 3rd run a crossing route under the coverage and run for big yards. Last night was just like the season opener last year against BC. We are certainly a more physical team, a faster team, a more talented team than we were at the beginning of last year, but we are still LOST on defense. No excuse, D'Onofrio has to be gone.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

I think OGV should be allowed to have his say.

[Account Deleted]

I'd like to believe AG is smart enough to accept No'd must go. Just a matter of when.

If not there's a chance they will still be working together, it just won't be at the U

[TonyCane]

And the offensive confusion was not just in the VT game...it's been EVERY GAME!

[herbieibis]

Do we have any LB's that can run or cover? Our DB's have no desire to lay the wood to anyone, especially Howard.
it amazes me how other teams have no problem getting receivers open all over the field and we struggle with that concept and stars do matter when you have to many 3 stars starting plus lack of coaching & motivation = an azz kicking. Didn't va. Tech kick our azz in the rain 4 years ago, at their place?

[Account Deleted]

Have to wonder if we lose again this week will they just plain quit.

[jsy]

On a serious note, I hope this game really opened ppls eyes. Esp the ones who kept saying we lack talent, talent, talent.

vt did not have a single 4 star in their 2 deep in their front 7. They have a converted TE playing QB, and walk on wide receiver running all over the field against us. The way vt plays is due to coaching.

I knew i upset alot of you guys when i kept saying that we had talent but that our coaches werent developing them or creating schemes to maximizing their strengths and our biggest lack of talent was at coaching. I just hope after this game we can really stop saying its talent. Like poker you play the cards youre dealt. This staff's plan is basically to fold preflop until they get pocket aces.

[Montreal-Cane]

SOUP i hear you. You are the most loyal fan. when i read your article i said to myself it's enough.

Why should we support mediocrity any longer?

Us loyal fans we have been more than patient and tolerant with the UM program and it's administration since 2001. Now many of us will find better and other things to do on Saturdays if there are no drastic changes to be back in the top 10 year in and year out with the talent level we have in our backyard...

Lastly,

Ryan Williams should play the rest of the way to be evaluated fully with 3 games remaining to see if he can start next year...Nothing to lose everything to gain...Stephen Morris just rest treat your ankle to be 100% for the NFL combine.

Amen

[Montreal-Cane]

Posted by: herbieibis | November 10, 2013 at 05:38 PM

I agree plus i may add some Defensive backs are scared. They are afraid to be hurt...This is not the way to play football...Among them yesterday Howard, Bush, Highsmith and co. should feel very bad in watching the films..

[Sebas13]

Any words from the recruits at the game ?

[jsy]

per rivals
VT:
DE gayle 3star
DT hopkins 3star
DT maddy 2star
DE collins 0star
LB tyler 0star
LB edwards 3star
LB trimble 0star
DB taylor 4star
DB exum 3star
DB bonner 3star
DB fuller 5star
Miami
DE chickillo 4star
DE green 3star
DT porter 3star
DT robinson 4star
LB dzp 3star
LB gaines 2star
LB cornelius 3star
DB gunter 3star
DB howard 5star
DB bush 4star
DB jenkins 3star

are we to believe that beamer is the greatest recruiter in the world and all his 2 and 0 stars are diamond in the roughs and every single one of our highly nationally recruited guys are busts. come on ppl stop with the talent argument. The difference in stars on the offense is even worse.

[Terrance Sullivan]

So basically they have even talent then. and they have better coaches.

[jsy]

OMG how can you say the talent is even? They do more with less we do less with more and thats the coaching. We have 1 2 star the rest 3,4,5.

VT had THREE 0 stars 1 4 star and 1 5 star. Imagine if this staff had to work with that.

[Terrance Sullivan]

JSY we had 1 5 star also

[BEERicane]

We were better off with Shannon. There, I said it!

Actually, I place blame on D?FuchNo! But the problem is Golden got his boyfriend pregnant and they want to raise this thing together. So in the end, golden has to take responsibility for mixing business with pleasure. It was cute at first, but now it's downright incestuous. If Golden doesn't ditch his lover then we must ditch them both. I actually think if he did that, it would show golden has intelligence, foresight, and a true desire to return Miami to the promised land which I believe would be a tremendous boost to restore faith in him within the program and with recruits. Problem is, it's unlikely to happen.

[Account Deleted]

VT has great coaching that wins games that others lose even with better talent.

Been that way for years. Gotta give them credit.

If we lose this week can we start talking hoops??

[SOUP]

1. Is Cooley continuously changing the plays after they line up?

2. On the surface, it appears that we're confused half the time.

Posted by: TonyCane | November 10, 2013 at 05:17 PM

1. Yes, he is because that is technically the QB's job (see: Peyton Manning) but our QB has no clue what to do so his coach has to do it for him.

2. Who is "WE"? It is I, #17.

That is all.