By The Numbers: Focus On The Positive

There will always be those people who see the glass as half full and those who see it as half empty.

Then of course there are University of Miami football fans, some of whom apparently can't see anything, much less a glass or its contents.

We thought that with the 2013 college football regular season in the books that we would do a little research to dig up some positive nuggets of truth about the UM football program in the three years under Al Golden. And, with some very generous help from our friend Chris Yandle at UM we found plenty!

What we found was some pretty amazing stuff by any standards. In fact, we think that the following statistics will surprise even those Hurricane fans that tend to have a more positive mind set.

So here is the good news for UM fans as we once again go "By The Numbers":

Golden Getting It Done:

In the first 22 games under Al Golden Miami's record was: 11-11

In the last 14 games under Golden the Hurricanes have improved to: 11-3 

Defensive Improvement:

In 2012, allowed 30.5 points, 217.9 rush ypg, 268.9 pass ypg, 486.8 total offense

In 2013, allowed 26.0 points, 182.3 rush, 233.4 pass, 415.8 total offense 

Ball-hawking:

2011: 10 players recorded takeaway

2012: 13 players recorded takeaway

2013: 15 players recorded takeaway 

Total Offense (improved +69.0 yards / game)

2011: 377.8

2012: 440.2

2013: 446.8 

Rushing (improved +24.8 yards / game and 6 TD)

2011: 1,748 yards, 18 TD (147.7 / game)

2012: 1,737 yards, 19 TD (144.8 / game)

2013: 2,070 yards, 24 TD (172.5 / game) 

Takeaways (improved + 12)

2011: 15 takeaways (6 INT, 9 FUM)

2012: 22 takeaways (11 INT, 11 FUM)

2013: 27 takeaways (18 INT, 9 FUM) 

Turnover Margin (improved + 10)

2011: -4

2012: +7

2013: +6 

Sacks Have Decreased (sacks allowed diminished by 6 since first year)

2011: 24 (allowed 19)

2012: 13 (allowed 18)

2013: 28 (allowed 13)

During the 2013 season YOUR Miami Hurricanes: 

• Allowed fewest sacks in ACC (13)

• Stacy Coley was the only  FBS player this season with rush TD, receive TD, punt return TD and kick return TD

• Pat O’Donnell’s 47.3 yard punting average – HIGHEST IN SCHOOL HISTORY

• Allen Hurns needs 19 yards to break single-season receiving record for yards

• Allen Hurns needs 133 yards to become 7th 2,000-yard career receiver in school history

• Stephen Morris needs 132 yards to become 2nd QB in school history with multiple 3,000-yard seasons

• Ranked in Golden era for first time

• Highest rankings since 2005

Now if those statistics do not get you excited for these players, this coach and the direction this team is going then I do not know what will.

Is there still some room for some improvement? Sure.

Is the team headed in the right direction under Al Golden's leadership? U bet!

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Comments

[2002nemo]

Right on!

[4-Real]

Ethnic Sands!!

[Coldcane]

Excellent positive article...we needed that...put me on the bus for next year

[SOUP]

Thanks to Chris Yandle from UM for his help with the stats in this article.

[roachcane77]

Yes… positive moves. Nice research for sure. (Of course, our moves up from the bottom of the barrel defensively are all "relative.")

However, positive all the same. (Must focus on the positive, MUST focus on the positive!) It's not easy… buy I'm trying.

If we could just get VaCane on our defensive staff, I would feel a LOT better about where we're headed.

[KYcane]

If we could just get VaCane on our defensive staff, I would feel a LOT better about where we're headed.

Posted by: roachcane77 | December 13, 2013 at 08:09 PM

AMEN Brother! or at least his attitude.

[laquinton]

Great article 86.

Anybody else hearing we flipped that miami safety that's committed to Louisville

[Account Deleted]

and another top 10....thank you...

[Montreal-Cane]

InsideTheU.com ‏@InsideTheU 2m
DB Marques Gayot Flips From Louisville To Miami

[Terrance Sullivan]

Great Stuff Soup. Mad props to Chris Yandle at UM for the stats. We are definitely going in the right direction probably not as fast as we like but definitely going in the right direction cant wait to hang out and party with U peeps 2 weeks from now.

[DeeCane]

this is a BIG get by the Miami staff if Gayot has indeed flipped his commitment to us...Good Size Strong Safety with alot of hitting power and good Speed...man this class is coming together..now only if we get Hester and JC Jackson to round out out secondary..this would be huge!!!!!!

[Go Canes]

Louisville has lost a football commitment. 3-star Fla. safety Marques Gayot flips to Miami.

[Go Canes]

Brennan Carroll ‏@brennanpcarroll 2m
#WelcomeToTheU !!!

[RCCF]

12% Bus U Rang….

RCCF12%

[Ohio_Cane]

Now, we need HESTER and JC JACKSON and our db's are just about done.

[Coldcane]

lol...RCCF...you funny dude...just let me on

[KYcane]

Coldcane, how you been?

[raizecane]

If you have not used the app "Waze", I am going to recommend it. It's a nav app but also alerts you of speed traps.

[Ohio_Cane]

Dixon wearing an OSU hat means nothing. He wore Canes shorts the other day with OSU and a couple other schools watching him practice.

It ain't over yet for Dixon.

[TonyCane]

Hurt Locker just got broken open.

[WWIN]

I'm glad we finally cracked the code for unlimited scholarships like fswho!!!

[Coldcane]

KY...I am good bro...what's good with you?

[Terrance Sullivan]

ColdCane whats good man.

[KYcane]

Just workin', reading the 'space and trying to stay in good with the better half.

[Ohio_Cane]

Unfortunately almost every "expert" is picking Dixon to OSU. Doesn't mean he is, but not looking great.

I'm sad. Really liked this kid.

[WWIN]

^^^^^^^^^|
Ohio, wonder if this affects Kaaya????

[WWIN]

Ohio, what's the scoop on Gayot playing wise, is he a gem or project???

Also Hester?

[HawaiiCane]

WWIM... it shouldn't. He knows we got Langham, Berrios and Brady! Plus the Irvin's' and Moss comin soon too!

[herbieibis]

Smart move, if Dixon goes to OSU. He can learn how to block, he can freeze his azz off and maybe catch 2 to 3 passes a game. Yeah, that would be a head scratcher and would end up like most Florida boys that go their and transfer.

[Ohio_Cane]

Does NOT effect Kaaya.

I really like Gayot. Real good player. Good size, ball skills, tackling, etc. I wouldn't call him a "gem", but he's def no project kid like Mayes could be. Like I said before, I'd prefer Hester, but we can still get BOTH!

[Ohio_Cane]

Hester is a gem at his position IMO. Tackles with BAD intentions, great ball skills, and is actually pretty dangerous once he has the ball. Real good size for his age too

[TonyCane]

Herbie, it's like a star WR going to Georgia Tech and expecting to have 1000 yards receiving. It MIGHT happen in his college career, but not in any single season.

[TonyCane]

Willie Will...that was part of the NCAA agreement. The secret part. Unlimited scholarships while on probation.

Golden is building an army. Literally!

[86Cane]

BY THE NUMBERS:

The Associated Press ‏@AP 5h

BREAKING: Nobody wins $425M Mega Millions jackpot; officials estimate $550M prize for Tuesday's drawing.

[86Cane]

Class 6A – Armwood (14-0) vs. Miami Central (12-1): This is a rematch of the 2010 title game that never took place – at least according to the record books. Armwood beat Miami Central on the field for the 6A championship, but later had to vacate the title after an FHSAA investigation uncovered several ineligible players. Miami Central also vacated their season following an FHSAA investigation.

With QB Noah Johnson at the helm, the Hawks offense averages 155.3 yards in the air and 168.8 yards on the ground. Senior Craig Carrington (505 rushing yards, 6 TDs) and junior Caylon Holloway (420 rushing yards, 8 TDs) help pound the rock. But this is, once again, a defensive driven team, led by DL Byron Cowart (13 sacks), ILB Jordan Griffin (150 tackles, 4 sacks) and S Kyle Gibson (4 interceptions). Nationally ranked Miami Central is missing its top offensive stars Joseph Yearby (broken leg), but the Rockets still have plenty of playmakers willing to step up to cause the Hawks defense fits. In the postseason, Miami Central is averaging 49 points per game, while Armwood has limited its opponents to an average of only 9.8 points per game.

[86Cane]

Hassan...who am i going to get to interview Art Kehoe in the stands if U don't go? LOL

I'll be there, leaving at 10 AM to go to the Citrus Bowl to watch Central bring home the 'Ship!

[CaneRock]

Barry Jackson:

The past two years, “almost every high school we left, we left answering 20 questions about something we didn’t have any answers about,” Golden said. “We did that for 28 months. It’s very difficult to recruit under those circumstances.

READ MORE! here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/2013/12/7-pm-update-golden-addresses-issues-in-news-conference-fins-playoff-scenarios.html#storylink=cpy

[VA Cane]

I hope this class will be legendary....it looks pretty good. I wish I could see more of these kids...I would be interested in you guessed it....their fundamentals. That's the first thing I look at in a young player....how does he block and tackle carry catch protect the ball, react in situations is he timid or will he deliver a blow....and how does he think...can he remember snap counts, line up right....not hold or clip...block in back....only us old cats say clip...LOL....stance very important....and attitude can he be calm or is he a loudmouth....lots of things to consider...hope this bunch will do well...got good feeling from the film and comments you guys share

Remember MNW was gonna bring home the gold....but were just legends in their own minds...

Roach and KY thank you for the kind thoughts...your support and consideration is greatly appreciated TYVM

[VA Cane]

Very good article Soup, it shows a lot of gains ands positive advancement.....I know things will get better on D...they have to. Defense is a tough thing to coach; I have been a defender all my football life. I am a very good offensive line coach....I love line play. D is very tough to get it together it is a lot of work.

We are going in the right direction and I am pulling for AG and Co to keep it up....hey man I got the soap bucket and rag out washing those dirty bus tires and rims.....

[Go Canes]

Bruce Feldman ‏@BFeldmanCBS 2m
More than everyone in Pac12 makes. RT @CecilHurt: The average coaching salary in the SEC West next season will be roughly $4 million.

[Ohio_Cane]

We'll end up having like 8-10 kids who are state champs in FL. Lol

[Go Canes]

This class is the direct result of the thousands of hours of work this staff has put in over the last two to three years.

These players aren't just committing because we picked up the phone the day after the NCAA fiasco ended and asked them to come on down. These coaches have been on most of these guys for two and even three years, all of them under the grips of an enormous scandal.

I know there are some on here that continually rip everything having to do with Coach Golden and his guys, but I'm really proud of their work and the young men who continue to come in ready to get this program back to where it should be.

[herbieibis]

Hester is a good size kid. If there is a negative not exceptionally fast but of course with proper coaching, he can get that 40 time down.
Va Cane with all these spread type offenses, it puts a premium on the talent you bring in to defend the whole field. The pro style offense is sort of antiquated, with only a dozen or so schools still running it. I see where a lot of schools are running some variance of a 4-2-5 defense to combat the spread. What defense do you see is best suited to stop the spread and what kind of athlete do we need at each position?
Then you have the Auburn, Ga. Tech type offenses to defend. Those kind of offense, to me means you really don't have need al-star type players, it's based mainly on execusion and a smart QB, who is not necessarily a great passer but efficient.

[herbieibis]

Neal looks like a kid we can add as he really has no big time offers, with S. Flo & WVU our main comp. Big kid at 6'2 185.

[SOUP]

Citrus Bowl...Central fans everywhere.

[30CINCO]

I know there are some on here that continually rip everything having to do with Coach Golden and his guys, but I'm really proud of their work and the young men who continue to come in ready to get this program back to where it should be.

Posted by: Go Canes | December 14, 2013 at 12:00 PM
-------------------------------------------------
Great job by the staff! the loyalty shown by Golden and staff for not bolting after learning of the NCAA mess gets forgotten about.

[RARA]

I've always contended that this program is going in the right direction and that Golden has the potential to lead us back to the promised land as I think he had all the qualities necessary to be a great head coach. My position has been that him being inflexible with his defensive philosophy of read and react passivity in conjunction with the 3-4 scheme he is trying to implement will likely prevent Golden from reaching the heights he can achieve. While the talent on defense is not elite, we have enough now to be much better than what we've shown. That's all I will say about that as I will try and focus on the positive until the bowl game (and hopefully after that). I never root for my team to lose or get demolished for the satisfaction of being right.

[VA Cane]

Amen to that Go Canes!!! They have done an excellent job of recruiting, and with the NCAA situation resolved it will get even better. I try not to rip people at all, I do try to suggest things I feel are critical to every player coach and team....they may not be but they have worked for me. Amen to the work and effort and it will continue to get better.

However, along with these great recruiters and players we must

A. become greater coaches who can continue to teach and re-emphasize fundamentals and develop skills to combine with the initial talent

B. become greater players who can continually develop fundamentals and learn new skills concepts ideas and schemes; be open minded team oriented students of the game

To succeed this must happen with every player team and coach. I have seen it in myself as a player and coach. As I coach I had great coaches and mentors My Dad VA Cane Sr., Coaches(Brothers) Sid and Jack Johnson, Coachs Doug McCoy and Norm Lineburg, and my position coach in college Danny Ford of Clemson. Coach Ford thought I was a madman a throwback....he pushed me to be a great player even though I was small especially by todays standards....lucky I listened. Jack Tatum, whom I had a wonderful friendship with and Lester Hayes were huge influences I hit people like a felonious assault due to JT. Jack Johnson I talk with regularly whom I love as my former coach; he is so important to me. My Father saw every game I ever played (he coached me from 7-10)in sandlot HS and college; he was my idol. He was a great HS college and pro..great coach and father; he told me once that pound for pound I was the best he ever saw....I used to laugh at it...he meant it...these people influenced me...made me a player...and coach...I cannot call myself a great coach, but I have learned so much from so many people that I CAN say I am a much better coach that I was at 19 I developed into a much better coach from listening learning asking questions...now maybe I can give back yet I still listen and learn....I get a lot from you people to add to my work....I read everybodys comments and thoughts....you guys are amazing and I put some of your input into my plans...Thanks!!!!

[SOUP]

Dalvin Cook with a 40 yard TD!

[SOUP]

Central gets ball back. Armwood with two 3 and outs.