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'Canes Comeback Comes Up Short

The talented doctors and researchers at the University of Miami medical school may eventually be the first team to come up with a cure for paralysis.

When and if they do, the first patient they should treat immediately should be the University of Miami football team's entire offense.

Paralyzed and nearly comatose for over four weeks now due to a failed offensive system, poor play calling by the offensive coordinator and at times horrible execution by the players, the UM offense has been, well for lack of a better term, offensive.

Last year any team with a similarly ineffective offense simply had to find Miami on their schedule on any given week to be cured and get well against the weak and generous Hurricanes defense.

This year any team with a defense that has looked dazed and confused on the field early this season simply has to look ahead to facing the UM offense to get cured from whatever malaise may have affected them in previous weeks.  

Yesterday, your Miami Hurricanes fell behind early to Notre Dame but in the second half managed to mount what seemed to be at the time just the type of comeback that they and their fans had been waiting for.

UM QB Brad "I Ain't That Bad" Kaaya threw the ball accurately, the receivers actually caught he ball consistently and the 'Canes tied the dreaded little leprechauns late in the fourth quarter. But once again it was not to be as the Hurricanes went back to conservative play calling, punted and proceeded to get scored on by the Irish.'

Miami had one more chance to win the game but then Brad "I Know This Is Sad" Kaaya did what everyone in the entire stadium, all of those watching at home and even those playing in pee wee football leagues knew he simply could NOT do: he took a sack with 13 seconds left instead of throwing the ball away.

Then we watched helplessly as the time ran out and the Hurricanes lost to a 2-5 team they probably should have beaten on any given Saturday. 

So according to most fans here on the blog, here is what we think we know about the Miami Hurricane football team in 2016:

1. The UM defense has shown a huge improvement over last year.
2. The UM offense has shown a huge regression over last year.
3. Hurricanes offensive line has more holes in it than Swiss cheese.
4. The offensive line coach should be fired.
5. The offensive coordinator should be fired.
6. According to some it's going to take at least two more years, and two recruiting classes, to fix the issues if they ever get fixed at all.
7. It is almost undeniable now that the bottom line is that the results this year are no better under the new head coach than they probably would have been under the last head coach.
8. UM fans that were highly motivated by the hiring of the new head coach have once again lost their mojo and many have simply resorted back to being "casual fans" as the pain from losing has grown too great to bare halfway through another lost college football season.

So now we sit and we wait to see how this team, and their new head coach, choose to finish out the year.

ACC title dreams now shattered, the goal now is to play for six wins and a bowl game and the extra month of practice it brings. From the looks of things, it sure looks like the Hurricanes could use it. 

Not Just Another Game

The history is very strong between these two teams. This is NOT the time "to be the same guy every day." This is the time to realize the importance of the moment, swell with pride and rise to the occasion for your Miami Hurricanes.

The 1988 Notre Dame vs. Miami football game, colloquially known as "Catholics vs. Convicts", was played on October 15, 1988. The two teams were undefeated when they met at Notre Dame Stadium. Notre Dame won the closely contested game 31–30.

The two teams met on October 15, 1988 in South Bend, Indiana, with both teams being undefeated. Miami, the defending national champion, came in ranked #1 holding a 36-game regular season winning streak while the Irish were ranked #4. The game, which was preceded by a pregame fight between the two teams in the entrance tunnel, was named by USA Today as one of the greatest college football games of the period 1982–2002.

After a closely contested game, Miami scored a touchdown with 45 seconds left to pull within one point of Notre Dame, 31–30. Rather than kick the extra point and likely end the game in a tie, Miami head coach Jimmy Johnson decided to go for two, later reasoning that "We always play to win." However, Steve Walsh's pass was batted down by Pat Terrell, and Notre Dame won 31–30.

Notre Dame would finish the season 12–0, beating #2 USC 27–10 on November 26 in the last game of the season and #3 West Virginiain the 1989 Fiesta Bowl 34–21 on January 2, 1989 to win the national title. Miami won the rest of its games and finished #2 behind Notre Dame in the polls.

Miami fans still question the accuracy of a Cleveland Gary fumble on the 1-yard line, which they allege was an incorrect call. With Miami trailing 31–24 and facing a critical fourth-and-7 from deep in Irish territory midway through the fourth quarter, Walsh connected with Miami running back Cleveland Gary streaking across the middle of the field inside the Irish 5-yard line for an apparent first down. He caught the football, turned, was hit and dropped the football. Notre Dame inside linebacker Michael Stonebreaker recovered the football.

The referees ruled the play as a fumble, as Notre Dame took possession at the 2-yard line where the ball was recovered. After the game, Johnson was adamant that Gary was down before the ball came loose and Miami should have retained possession with a first-and-goal at the Notre Dame 1. As the game was broadcast, Pat Haden and Brent Musburger seemed certain that the call was correct based on the replays.

In a 2005 poll conducted by the University of Notre Dame, the 31–30 win over Miami was voted the Greatest Victory in Fighting Irish history by a landslide.

Coach Richt, we are calling on you to make a this wrong a right. This is your best chance to shine bright.

We will be watching and cheering for a BIG victory over The Fighting Irish. Losing is NOT an option!

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Welcome To The U!

Dear Mark Letter

Dear Mark,

When all of us Miami Hurricane fans first heard you were going to be the new head coach of our beloved football team we were really excited.

We instantly thought that you would make our players better, make our team better, call great offensive plays and produce much better results.

Unfortunately, due to various issues, problems and circumstances, we are disappointed that the change has not happened as soon as we had hoped.

So Mark, we need a solid from you: We need to win some games and we need to win them NOW. We need to open a big old can of whoop azz and beat Notre Dame in the worst way ever to redeem our sinking season.

What we need Mark, is a 41-20 dominating victory over the Irish on Saturday.

We are sure that you understand, so do us a solid and get it done, OK buddy?

If not, the next letter may not be so nice, but let's not go there just yet.

Thanks a bunch my man, you got this!

Your loyal Miami Hurricane Fans

I Have Seen It, But I Do Not Believe It

Riddle me this...Watch any given team on any given Saturday of college football. Now, tell me what do U see?

Points, points and more points scored by all offenses fast and slow, big and small, running or passing and some very talented teams and some not so much.

Then watch the University of Miami offense present their typical triple threat offensive option of stumble, fumble and fall.

The Hurricanes make scoring, and general offensive execution in general, look so hard it is simply indescribable.

How can so many teams score so many points so easily and Miami can't score even if their game, or season or life depended on it?

Tell me why, and for what reason, we make the game look so hard when it is supposed to seem so easy?

Now riddle me that?

Slip Sliding Away

"You know the nearer your destination the more you're slip sliding away."

When Mark Richt was hired most Miami Hurricanes fans thought that the team would be headed in the right direction. A winning direction, upward trajectory and proud tradition would soon be re-established and Miami would return to its righteous place among the college football elite.

That theory and belief held true four four weeks of the 2016 season. Your Miami Hurricanes, and their suddenly new-found swarming, aggressive defense, were smashing and slashing lesser opponents just like the good old days.

Then came a game that mattered. That was the game against Miami's arch rival FSU at Hard Rock Stadium. If the Seminoles were going to be beat, and beat badly, this was going to be the year.

While admittedly the Seminoles have enjoyed much more recent success on the field and as a result in the recruiting wars, the Hurricanes had played the boys from Tallahassee very tough the last two years and in fact probably SHOULD have won those games.

Surely, this would be the year. With FSU having an average team and a mediocre season to date and UM having a much better coaching staff and a better game plan, that Miami would surely get over the hump.

As it turns out, Miami missed several opportunities on offense, then missed an extra point when it mattered most and this clearly wasn't going to be the year. Richt and his offense looked clueless for most of the game.

And please, don't call me Shirley. 

Yet, even after the shocking loss, the Hurricanes still had time to redeem themselves, blow off the loss to FSU, and come out and just curb stomp the North Carolina Tar Heels. The game would again be at home at "The Rock", and the fans would still attend, endure a two hour rain storm during the tailgate, then yell and cheer and even forgive and the world would be made right again.

Surely, this would be Mark Richt's redemption game to make up for the FSU loss and associated shame. Instead it was another wasted effort, wasted tailgate and six hour trip to the 305 as the Hurricanes would lose after another weak and miserable offensive performance against another ACC rival. In the last three weeks Miami's offense scored a tepid 21 points against Georgia Tech, a lukewarm 19 against FSU and then a frigid 13 against the Tar Heels.

And, I have already warned you, please do NOT call me Shirley.

The Hurricanes and coach Richt have one last chance to salvage the season when they play Virginia Tech on Thursday night in Blacksburg. Unfortunately at this point, after two crushing losses and as the ever elusive ACC title game slowly slips away once again, and the pain too much to bare, many hard core Miami fans have now been reduced to casual observers of college football and simply hope that Miami can win this game and once again salvage their season.

If they can, that will surely be great and we will rejoice and celebrate.

If they don't, that will surely ruin another season of high expectations.

Either way, like it or not, Shirley is going to be busy come Thursday night.

Paul Simon would probably summarize it this way:

"I know a woman, became a wife,

These are the very words she uses to describe her life,

A good day, ain't got no rain,

A bad day is when I lie in bed and think of things that might have been."

Not Going To Bore U With The Details

I am not going to bore you intelligent college football fans with details of why the Miami Hurricanes 2016 football team is not living up to our expectations. I'll save that for another time with my incredibly insightful analysis of the stats and facts (sarcasm alert). But in the meantime, I will entice you with some of the real UM fans' take on the issues that confront our team: 

Just back from the game. First time I have been to the remodeled stadium, it is great. Right out of the first play, we looked out of it. Kudos to Manny Diaz for turning up the heat on D in the second half. Corn Elder will play for someone on Sundays. The offense was abysmal. I don't know if it is Richt sending in these plays or BK checking down, but what a mess. I can only remember one deep ball that was overthrown to Richards. Need to make those throws. Too many dropped passes Need to make those catches. UNC did.

Stadium is nice, it poured and we stayed dry.:) Will get season tix next year.

GO CANES

Posted by: CGNC | October 15, 2016 at 10:29 PM

Just got back home. This loss really hurts. The offense really didn't play up to their star potential. CMR doesn't trust Kaaya, and Kaaya gave him no reason to trust him. the play calling also left much to be desired. This offense should be much better. You can't win ACC games scoring 19 (FSU) and 13 points (UNC). Corn Elder and the defense played well enough to be undefeated. The offense must start playing up to their potential.

Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | October 15, 2016 at 10:41 PM

This isn't doom. It's reality. We lost to the best team in our division last year, and a team that is basically at its peak. Not much has changed personnel wise from last season, and to be honest our record at 4-2 is probably no different than what Golden would have had.

This season is almost identical to the 1996 season, and I expect no more than 8 wins this year. We need better offensive play, but more importantly an infusion of new talent on offense. I expect big changes next year, but year one for Richt will be much like last year. Keep in mind, a lot of successful coaches did not begin to have gray success until YEAR TWO.

Posted by: TonyCane | October 15, 2016 at 11:54 PM

The playbook IS open. It is ALWAYS open. No one is waiting. Nobody is "holding back" on showing our full hand.

It's just becoming increasingly clear that CMR may be suffering from the "smartest man in the room" mentality, and in spite of OVERWHELMING evidence that his conservative play calling is NOT working with THIS team and talent, he continues to force that square peg into a round hole. It is his CHOICE what plays we use, and he CHOOSES to call what HE THINKS will work.

We've got the PLAYS, and "just enough" TALENT to be successful, if used in the right combination. But CMR wants it to be HIS way.

I go back to my analysis of problems from last week:
1- O Line
2- CMR playcalling
3- BK's TOTAL inability to move. (I would have BK running drills in the "sand pit" before AND after practice EVERYDAY for the next 3 weeks.)

I agree with CGNC, WHY does BK even bother to run out his fakes after he hands off? NO ONE on the field even GLANCES at him they are so sure he won't be carrying it! I also agree that our WR's are NOT getting separation because they don't "sell" on EVERY PLAY that they might be getting the ball. It doesn't take long for a good DB to pick up on "effort off the line" to key when they have to cover. Imagine how "rested" they must be!

Posted by: roachcane77 | October 16, 2016 at 07:36 AM

It has nothing to do with not having 85 ship players, it only takes 22 good ones and King Kong size nuts and imagination with the play calls to get us out of this funk, the question is does richt grow a set. I've been on here forever bitching about the defense, never thought I'd be bitching about the offense but this is what it has come too. Yes the defense coughed up some yds, good play calling will cause that problem but pts are what wins or loses games, not total yds. The defense is banged up and at least made some half time adjustments, unlike their offensive counter parts, who were probably in a prayer meeting at half time. We need some help at wr and chasing down more 3 stars and getting to verbal ain't going to help. A three is a cee and that means average.

Posted by: Herbieibis | October 16, 2016 at 08:08 AM

"I was on the Bartow High team that won the 4A state title in 96. We spent most of the season ranked #4. #1 was Jacksonville Bolles, the top team in the nation with 10 FBS signees in their senior class alone. #2 was Glades Central.

We were big, fast, and mean, but both those teams were more talented than us. We had to win two hellish dog fights in the semis and final to take the title. The game down in Glade was especially tough. They had us physically outclassed and demoralized in a way that we had never experienced.

Through the turmoil, Coach Smith never wavered. He had the same cocky determined look in his eye at the half as if we were in the games we won by 60. His resolve gave us the confidence to fight and win, becoming champions against long odds. 

The next two years we had the same talent level, but problems with the administration made Coach decide to leave for a job of very significant salary increase.

Same team, same coaches, but the replacement HC was not the cool, commanding alpha male and easily rattled and flustered. We lost respect for him, and confidence and discipline in ourselves. The team disintegrated and two seasons that should have seen us compete for the 3-peat ended in early, embarrassing playoff losses.

The only difference was the inner resolve of the head coach. It is the most important factor to consistent success.

Posted by: TruCane81 | October 16, 2016 at 03:59 AM

You've completely overestimated how the worthless load of crap recruits in the last five, four, three and two recruiting classes are.

You can count on Captain Canespace, slightly above average Joe and that's it as players from those four classes, everybody else is average to useless dead weight on a football roster in major college conference play. Until the smarks have more than 50% control of the roster (read; a year or two from now) this program is going nowhere against the inertia that was killing it dead in the water just one year ago. You don't go from worst coach and coaching staff around the loser in program history turning in the worst no-show loss in program history to world champs just by hiring some second rate SEC program's old coaching office refuse and saying an invisible man in the sky will take care of it. It takes a non-garbage QB first and foremost so until Bud Foster forces a fourth concussion in a year change there, UM is cooked for now and the immediate future. At least the toilet bowl needs a .500 team so they'll get the extra couple of practices which they need.

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | October 16, 2016 at 09:46 AM

It's not that deep or complicated. UNC's Qb played like a sure fire first round talent. A dual threat that kept drives alive. Kayaa played like a player that needs a lot of work on pocket presence and awareness.

Posted by: Gin & Tonic | October 16, 2016 at 11:01 PM

Your opinion about these fan's perspective is welcomed and encouraged...so have at it!

Cream Always Rises

Eight of the nine members of the UM Sports Hall of Fame's Class of 2017 inductees will be introduced at the end of the first quarter of the Miami-UNC game at Hard Rock Stadium tomorrow, October 15th! 

 

 

The ceremony will take place in the East End of the stadium where the inductees, along with UM Athletic Director Blake James and UMSHoF President Gerard Loisel, will be introduced for the first time to Hurricanes fans!

 

Expected to attend: Baseball's Ryan Braun and Dan Davies, Basketball's Steve Edwards and Coach Katie Meier, Football's James Jackson, Jeremy Shockey and Darryl Williams and Volleyball's Valeria Tipiana. 

 

 

Only Audra Cohen, who will be coaching Oklahoma's women's tennis team in the ITA Regionals will be absent.

The Elder Has Spoken

The Miami Hurricanes have found success with tempo this season, playing fast and scoring quickly to become the second-best scoring offense in the ACC and 16th in the NCAA.

But the Hurricanes’ defense, who leads the country in tackles for loss and is fifth in the NCAA in scoring defense, will face one of the best tempo teams in the country this week when North Carolina comes to Hard Rock Stadium at 3:30 p.m., ET on Saturday.

UNC’s offense is talented and deep and they play fast. Miami defensive coordinator Manny Diaz knows the Hurricanes will need to stay alert as the Tar Heels will look to push the pace.

“The first thing is getting lined up,” Diaz said. “Their tempo will be as fast as anything we have seen this year. They are a team that executes at a very high level. They have great running backs and receivers and they have tight ends that do an excellent job as both blockers and receivers. And of course they have a talented quarterback who orchestrates the entire offense. So they are very similar to the challenges presented last week, in the fact that they are a very balanced team being able to both run and throw the football.”

“But the biggest challenge that they will present will be the tempo,” Diaz said. “Because the questions our guys will face will be are you walking around when they are set to snap the football, are your eyes not in the right position and can we make plays on the ball downfield? We know they will pass the ball down the field often and it will be a great challenge for our guys going against a couple tall wide outs that can go out and get it.”


Miami’s defensive backs will be tested by Carolina’s passing attack, but senior Corn Elder looks forward to the opportunity to rise to the challenge.

“It’s going to be fun to face them,” Elder said. “We will get a chance to make a lot of plays. “We are all out there competing and making each other better every day in practice and in the games. When we see one of us make a play, then we all want to go make plays, too. We just have to be ready.”

The cornerbacks were considered an unknown commodity coming into the 2016 season. Elder was the only returner with extensive experience, having played in 36 games over his first three years at Miami, so he took a leadership role in mentoring his younger teammates that were about to step into key roles this season.

“It’s always fun to be a leader and help the younger guys out,” Elder said. “It feels good to see their improvement. I’ve seen us all get a lot better from the summertime to now. Everybody is working hard and trying to get better every day.”

Take Your Time, Build Some Talent

One of our bloggers had the intelligence to write this about STARS and talent:

"Your analysis (that stars don't matter) is certainly valid for single games when arguably against specific competition, any team can beat any other team in the same conference. Indeed, the outcome of individual games can turn on a multitude of different factors. That's why underdogs do sometimes win.

Moreover, your position (that stars don't really matter) may also be valid for a single season, when, sometimes, a team comprised of lower ranked recruits somehow prevails over a team comprised of more highly prized recruits.

However, when you examine a long term trend, such as GT's losing streak vs. UM or UM's losing streak vs. FSU, the most likely explanation is a material difference in talent. STARS MATTER.

Likewise, the most plausible explanation for the recurring successes of top programs like Alabama and Ohio State is recruiting successes on successive NSDs. STARS MATTER.

So, too, there is a good reason why some teams, like Vanderbilt and Wake Forrest, will never win their respective conferences. STARS MATTER.

You've been on a "Stars don't matter" bandwagon for many years now. But the facts belie your position." STARS MATTER

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John

We interrupt this sports blog for a short, but important, religious lesson...

The first four gospels of the New Testament are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Matthew is the name of the strong, category 4 hurricane that is currently threatening the east coast of the State of Florida.

Mark is the name of the new Miami Hurricanes head football coach that hopes to play, and beat, FSU badly on Saturday.

Luke is the name of one of our famous Uncles who is associated with UM football and is projecting very good things for this team.

John, well we have know idea who he is, but according to his gospel, he is apparently all about love. We like that. Love is good.

We hope the game goes on and that your Miami Hurricanes will get to play, and beat, the Florida State Seminoles on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium. The stadium, and Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties, were spared the wrath of Matthew on Thursday.

Central Florida may not be that lucky on Friday but only time will tell. If the eye of the hurricane decides to stay offshore we may just get a passing glimpse of the incredible storm and the damage it could have done.

Until then we wait, and hope, and pray.