Orlando Welcomes Miami

Although the 2016 Russell Athletic Bowl will not take place on Christmas, the University of Miami football team would certainly have no problem waiting a few extra days for the team’s biggest Christmas wish of all – a bowl win.

On Christmas Eve, the Hurricanes returned to the practice field for the first time since Thursday as they began their final days of bowl game preparation for their matchup against West Virginia.

Miami is holding its bowl practices at Celebration High School, a location head coach Mark Richt is very familiar with in his previous bowl visits to Orlando.

“Great facility, great people at Celebration High School,” Richt said. “I was here one of those years with Georgia, we came here as well. They really made a lot of great improvements. Just to be able to practice on the field turf field makes a lot of sense since the game is going to be on one.”

Richt certainly knows what it takes to be successful in bowl games, as he owns a 9-5 career record in bowl games with his five losses coming by seven points-or-fewer. 

Following practice on Saturday, the first-year Miami head coach was pleased with the team’s mindset following a travel day.

“I thought the guys came back with a good attitude,” Richt said. “I say ‘came back’, but we only had one day off. But when you travel, and you change the venue and you change the practice field and you change where you meet, all those things are a little bit different. I thought the focus was good.”

For junior defensive lineman Trent Harris, Miami’s trip to Orlando is a homecoming of sorts for the Winterpark, Fla., native. 

“It’s awesome,” Harris said. “I’m about to meet with my family in a couple minutes. It’s awesome to be able to play football and be around my family at the same time.”

Harris, who played in all 12 games for the Hurricanes this season and posted 9.5 tackles for loss, will have plenty of family members in Orlando during bowl week. During his post practice media session, Harris thanked his teammates for giving up their game tickets, so he could give them to his family. 

“A lot of teammates were generous and gave them to me. I have a lot of family, pretty much my whole family is here. My mom and dad both have four brothers each, so I have a lot of family down here. It’s been pretty crazy, but I think I have enough.”

Despite being near many of his family members, Harris has remained focused on preparing for West Virginia.

“We have practice in the morning, so I’m going to be focused on football all though the morning. But we have some free time after that so I think I’m going to be able to go home and open presents with my family for the first time in three years. That should be exciting.”

This week’s bowl festivities are the first for several Miami student-athletes, including freshman Shaquille Quarterman, who had no problem voicing his excitement in Orlando during his post-practice media session.

“Russell [Athletic Bowl] has done an extremely good job with us and they’re treating us like we’re somebody special,” Quarterman said. “It’s going really well. I am looking forward to all the events. The Best Buy thing was pretty cool and the hotel is as nice as any hotel I’ve ever been to.”

 

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Comments

[CoCane]

Maybe Alabama will suffer from a lack of competition in the playoffs or prove to be so dominant this year only because the SEC is garbage...

We shall see...

[CGNC]

New Blog Is Up

[CGNC]

Canes

[TonyCane]

Wow how bad has the SEC looked this bowl season.

Arkansas is in full meltdown mode, blowing a 24-0 lead to Virginia Tech.

Posted by: Go Canes! | December 29, 2016 at 09:28 PM

I just read an article about an hour ago regarding Alabama's dominance being bad for college football. One of the side effects that they point out is that the longer Alabama stays a hyperpower, the more negative effect it has on the SEC. The effect that it has on us is far more magnified for SEC schools. The other traditional powers are seeing the most elite athletes go to Alabama, which further widens the talent gap. The end result the writer says in a conference where all of the talent is concentrated in one school, and everyone else is mediocre to bad. They site the ACC of the 1990s as an example - FSU on top and everyone else are also-rans.

I think it's showing up in bowl season.

[1mg of Epi]

This win was awesome but man I'd have loved to lay the wood to an SEC team.

Schablach: SEC is 12-17 vs ACC the past 3 seasons, including bowl games #ItJustMeansMore

Posted by: Go Canes! | December 29, 2016 at 09:55 PM

Agree

[1mg of Epi]

To me that's not regressing, it's a bad quarter. After that we could have picked a score.

Posted by: Go Canes! | December 29, 2016 at 08:51 AM

Posted by: TruCane81 | December 29, 2016 at 09:12 PM

Evaluating a game (or season) honestly doesn't make anybody lesser of a fan. Neither does not wanting to be critical of a coach. We all enjoy the game for different reasons. I like getting into the mechanics of the game, but at the same time I don't think that you should be any less excited about the team's future simply because we have an average OC. 🙃

[Go Canes!]

This win was awesome but man I'd have loved to lay the wood to an SEC team.

Schablach: SEC is 12-17 vs ACC the past 3 seasons, including bowl games #ItJustMeansMore

[Go Canes!]

ACC is 5-1 in bowl games so far.

Only loss is Pitt, who was forced to play the second half without their starting QB and Conner the running back who were both injured.

Meanwhile Ole Miss beats a bad Miami of Ohio team by one, NC State blows out Vanderbilt, Texas A&M loses to Kansas State and Arkansas is currently finishing off an all time, epic gag job.

[TruCane81]

What have you seen from rosier that has you so worried?

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 29, 2016 at 01:10 PM

When Brad was beat down and punch drunk during the skid, Richt REFUSED to give Rosier ANY play time.

We need to play a back up just to keep Brad from getting killed and would not.

That's what bothers me about Rosier.

But..........

Richt's evaluation of his offense is questionable because he only uses what they do best sparingly.

If Richt evaluates his qbs as poorly, we may have a heisman candidate riding the pine.

[Go Canes!]

Wow how bad has the SEC looked this bowl season.

Arkansas is in full meltdown mode, blowing a 24-0 lead to Virginia Tech.

[TruCane81]

Wasn't our d struggling with a supposed lack of talent last year?

[TruCane81]

C'mon Epi, those arguments are old and not really valid anymore. Think its safe to say the conservative approach has been gone since about half way through the Notre Dame game and CMR has found his rhythm.

The beginning was a disaster I know, but a lot of it was self inflicted.

Yes we were tight, but Njoku ran a bad route trying to get a first down, Kaaya sailed some throws, we took some bad penalties and couldn't get a run past the line of scrimmage.

To me that's not regressing, it's a bad quarter. After that we could have picked a score.

Posted by: Go Canes! | December 29, 2016 at 08:51 AM

Go, EVERYTHING Epi said still stands.

The problem with the o aint bad, unworkable plays. Its a problem of sequence and rhythm.

Brad's best play comes from the three step drop. He needs to see completions to build confidence and rhythm.

The only difference between now and the losing streak is Richt abandons his core philosophy quicker, leading to better playcalling.

There are many holes in his strategy we have documented all year but we still win games we used to lose.

Great play is RIGHT THERE to be had if CMR could see what kind of team he has and schemes to THAT from the OPENING KICKOFF.

We could compete with anyone with our d, including Bama if Richt did so.

[Go Canes!]

Posted by: SinisterCane | December 29, 2016 at 07:40 PM

Perhaps.

But I can say with certainty I never let any coach, player or fan take away my unwavering love and support for my Canes. And I certainly NEVER let anything detract from the joy of a great victory.

I am quite sure you cannot say the same thing. The proof is evidenced by your never ending bashfest against Kaaya, even after such a fantastic win for this team and program.

[Herbieibis]

I know this Richt has know for almost a year we were severely lacking at the wr position and we have one guy verballed, ONE! This is not exceptable and should never happen. We shouldn't have to worry about flipping people, this late in the game. We should have our quota and only take a flip unless he is legit.

[CGNC]

Canes

[SinisterCane]

It's really just one or two dudes on here.

They have severe PSTD from a decade plus of disappointment.

To quote The Boss:

"End up like a dog thats been beat too much, spend your life just covering up."

Posted by: Go Canes! | December 29, 2016 at 04:34 PM

LOL if I suffer from PSTD's for criticizing this years offense and past piss poor defenses then you surely suffer from Stockholm syndrome, you defended the indefensible for Golden only to be proven wrong over and over again, you blamed players, lack of talent on the defense, pretty much anything of anybody but Golden/Nofense.

[CaneRock]

The only reason they poach players from down here, is to keep UM from getting to the top. Those MFers ain't got no use for those players. It's like the 70s all over again with Bumma,Michigan, & OSU at the top.

[CaneRock]

Phuck Bin Lyin' & Crier...how many former SoFlo ballas are ballin' at Bumma & OSU? Besides Ridley, how many of the former Deerfield guys are ballin' at Bumma?

[1mg of Epi]

Drink one for me birthday Brother!!

Posted by: VA Cane | December 29, 2016 at 04:23 PM

I'm at work so no can do! BUT I will imagine drinking one for you!

[Go Canes!]

Tony no coach is going to come late to the game and poach kids Saban or Meyer have deemed a top priority for two and even three years.

I hope and expect Richt has been doing that since he walked in the door at the beginning of this year. IMO getting on guys very early, players they have targeted as the cream of the crop in coming years, is the way we are going to get back in the game.

And as TD said-winning of course. Got to keep winning like we have been the last 5 games.

[Daddeh]

DaU

[CaneRock]

The Harley thing makes no sense. How is it we went after a similar kid in Latrell Williams last year, but we ding-a-linged around with Harley this year?

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

^^^ Hopefully Brad comes back and Miami wins the Coastal and 11 games. Then watch recruiting really take off.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

^^^ The best thing any program can do to recruit is to win big games and put players in the pros. Many coaches come in right away recruiting. Others take the long way. Hopefully Richt closes strong with McFarland, Harley, etc.

[TonyCane]

Not making excuses - simply asking a question. In the past - and I mean the recent past - a new head coach at a major school could usually be counted on to bring in a strong recruiting class after their first season was over. Strong did it NSE 2015, Golden in 2012, Saban in 2008, ect.

But given how earlier recruiting started, is it more likely that the true benefits of a new headcoach do not start accruing until the 2018 class? At this point, Richt will be signing players who were sophomores when he took over - roughly the time that HS players get into heavy contact with colleges. If the 2017 class is not exceedingly strong, is it still more to do with the stain of the 2014 and 2015 seasons and less with CMR?

Thoughts?

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

^^^ And Bama and OSU.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

I really hope FSU and FU lose.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

USF beat S. Carolina today for their 11th win.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Arkansas up 17-0 on VT.

[SOUP]

New blog delayed until 10 PM.

[Old Skool]

NFL Prospect who could score a zero on the Wonderlich

Jeremy Sprinkle's collegiate career abruptly ended hours before Thursday's Belk Bowl.

The reason?

He reportedly shoplifted from -- of all places -- a Belk department store in Charlotte, N.C., even though each player on Sprinkle's Arkansas team and opponent Virginia Tech had a $450 gift card to spend there.

[WWIN]

A-, B+. I aint gonna lie, teacher gives bonus points to dudes that won National Championships. :)

Posted by: The Dude | December 29, 2016 at 04:09 PM

Lol! #8 was my favorite player back then!

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

^^^ Still need to lock up a bunch. We need just one kid to start a chain reaction.

[WWIN]

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 29, 2016 at 04:45 PM

Lol! Not going in depth... just the must gets? But this 2017 class is basically done anyways

[WWIN]

Posted by: Go Canes! | December 29, 2016 at 04:50 PM

Yes sir! But those 5 guys are wanted BADLY by Bama and are the MUST-GET Cooper, Collins,Cook types that we've been missing on!

[TonyCane]

I have a feeling this will be the universal recommendation out there. We'll see what he decides.

Lance Zierlein ‏@LanceZierlein 10m10 minutes ago
Spent last hour and a half studying Miami TE David Njoku. Two things stood out. He's going to be really good & Kaaya should go back to MIA
Posted by: Go Canes! | December 29, 2016 at 04:58 PM

I know that they need defensive help, but it would be great if Miami could draft Njoku in the 20s and lock him in for the next decade. Because I strongly, strongly suspect that Bill Belichick would love to draft Gronk's replacement if the Dolphins pass.

[TonyCane]

How in God's name did we lose to ND?? Of all our losses, that one STINGS the most. We should've DRUMMED those BUMS!!!

Posted by: ColaCane | December 29, 2016 at 02:22 PM

I'm not sure. I think it was the negative momentum of three straight losses, the rash of injuries after the FSU game depleting depth, and playing on the road. By the Notre Dame game it had taken on a life of its own.

And technically, Notre Dame in 2016 was not a team devoid if talent either. On paper, they're close to an FSU level based on recruiting. And since it was Miami (as opposed to Duke), it was probably a game that they circled.

The Irish have to be one of the biggest disappointments in college football.

[BEERicane]

I can see how that might be confusing for fans of some schools, as some schools actually do have 2 starting QBs in the same calendar year. Alas, one would have to be playing football in January for that to happen. We all know how that's been going for Miami....

[BEERicane]

Morris. The last game vs UF was in 2013. Kaaya has been our QB 2014, 2015, 2016.

[TonyCane]

Did Kaaya beat UF or was that Morris?

Posted by: WWIN | December 29, 2016 at 05:02 PM

Morris.

[WWIN]

Did Kaaya beat UF or was that Morris?

[Go Canes!]

Blades will be a Top 50 player nationally.

[Go Canes!]

I have a feeling this will be the universal recommendation out there. We'll see what he decides.

Lance Zierlein ‏@LanceZierlein 10m10 minutes ago
Spent last hour and a half studying Miami TE David Njoku. Two things stood out. He's going to be really good & Kaaya should go back to MIA

[BEERicane]

Why take all these legacy players. Not too many have panned out. I mean, it's one thing if they are legit. It's another if it's just because they share blood.

[Go Canes!]

We've got to get the Blades legacy and that kid Frierson too dont we WW?

[Ohio_Cane]

I don't go in depth on a class that's more than a year away. Feb 2nd begins the 2018 class.

[WWIN]

Ohio and UMike...My must gets for 2018 are...

Josh Jobe
Mark Pope
Xavier Williams
Gurvan Hall
Lorenzo Linguard

Get this 5 and the class is a automatic A+ 😂! Who y'all got???

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

I said Diaz was a great hire before it was cool. Now that D is back in Miami. I'm expecting a bunch of local DBs, LBs and DEs will committ to play in the next couple of years. Hopefully SoFL can give us some DTs too, if not then Richt needs to poach GA.

[BEERicane]

Was our win over #12 Florida a few years ago a great win?

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 29, 2016 at 03:57 PM

Yup! Any win over UF is a great win. A win over FSU is a white whale (thanks Kaaya!). Any win over any ranked team at any point in the yr is a good win.

Duke was ranked. Therefore, a good win.

[VA Cane]

I just want to win...sure a perfect game plan is great, but life is not perfect.

I tell my guys while we want to be perfect, we will not be. I know I and my guys will make mistakes, but we adjust and change what we are doing in order to compensate for mistakes. My bottom line to my guys is as always, Lombardi; "winning isn't everything; wanting to win is the only thing".

Winning is a habit for us; I think our kids and staff adjusted; they wanted to win bad....and I commend them.

I am driving 4 hours Sat to my moms home in the mountains near Bburg. Its her birthday 1/1/2017 she will be 87. Having a small party for the ball games; several of my players from my first ever team are coming over. They are 51 52 yrs old....we ran the table our first year and won the title. It was funny because it was my old elementary school....several people told me it could not be done due to lack of talent and bad attitudes; its about reaching out to kids, getting on their level and coaching them to love winning; in all phases of life....JMO

[Go Canes!]

It's really just one or two dudes on here.

They have severe PSTD from a decade plus of disappointment.

To quote The Boss:

"End up like a dog thats been beat too much, spend your life just covering up."

The reality is no matter who is at QB next year, this defense is going to be a problem for everyone we face.

If we can shore up the O-line with some guys who can impose their will on defenses, we won't have a thing to worry about going forward.

[Ohio_Cane]

Any win over fla is a great win.

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 29, 2016 at 04:23 PM
----------------------------------------

See? This is what I always said, but people on this site couldn't stop discounting it and saying how UF ended up only having 5 or 6 wins and it was mainly because they lost 8 starters over the next few weeks.

It's annoying. People are just always negative. Like I said, some people here would complain about winning the lottery.

[VA Cane]

Brother I am watching too...some of the games have been pretty good....others not so much...but hey its football...the greatest game.

I am trying to get this broken ankle well, its in a boot now. It hurts at times, and I have to exercise it....which makes it hurt....but it is getting better i can stand on it , no more sponge baths...i sat in the shower for 35 minutes yesterday...awesome. I am doing a few appraisals..hop around takes time...but got to have income!!!....at least my Dr believes in good medication, it makes things bearable....feel like Sat on Thursday afternoon!!!! I really know how Malcolm Lewis felt....Again Just Win Baby....nice win for us....enjoy it.

Drink one for me birthday Brother!!

[1mg of Epi]

Can't face the facts, huh? A top 25 Duke team,

Posted by: BEERicane | December 29, 2016 at 03:47 PM
-------------------------------------------

Was our win over #12 Florida a few years ago a great win?

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 29, 2016 at 03:57 PM

Any win over fla is a great win.

[30CINCO]

Photo Journey of How adidas Helped ‘The U’ Get Their Swag Back For Bowl Game

http://blacksportsonline.com/home/2016/12/photo-journey-of-how-adidas-helped-the-u-get-their-swag-back-for-bowl-game/

[Ohio_Cane]

TD, Gurvan will be a 5* within the next year, IMO.

[Ohio_Cane]

think Njoku goes top 15 in the draft

Posted by: SinisterCane | December 29, 2016 at 04:04 PM
-----------------------------------------

I don't know if any team will be willing to draft a TE that high, but after he tests at the combine, he'll be in the 1st round. 7 ft high jumpers who can run like him get picked early.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 29, 2016 at 03:22 PM

Its hard to be excited for 2018, when 2017 needs so much. But you are right. Kid is a 4 star.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: WWIN | December 29, 2016 at 03:19 PM

A-, B+. I aint gonna lie, teacher gives bonus points to dudes that won National Championships. :)

[SinisterCane]

I think Njoku goes top 15 in the draft

[SinisterCane]

Guy With One Leg Gets Punched By Miami Fan In Bathroom

http://www.barstoolsports.com/chicago/guy-with-one-leg-gets-punched-by-miami-fan-in-bathroom/?utm_campaign=SocialflowFB&utm_source=BarstoolFB&utm_medium=Socialflow

[Ohio_Cane]

Can't face the facts, huh? A top 25 Duke team,

Posted by: BEERicane | December 29, 2016 at 03:47 PM
-------------------------------------------

Was our win over #12 Florida a few years ago a great win?

[BEERicane]

Perry is my pick for the first ever True freshman Heisman Trophy winner.

Don't mess that up Kaaya!!!

[BEERicane]

He beat freaking Duke. Stop.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 29, 2016 at 02:20 PM

Can't face the facts, huh? A top 25 Duke team,

[1mg of Epi]

Posted by: VA Cane | December 29, 2016 at 03:08 PM

My birthday brother... it's 3:40 on a Thursday and I'm sitting on a recliner watching college football.

Bowl season is awesome... gimme more!!!

[SOUP]

Probably took him all morning just to figure out how to change his name back to Happy.

Posted by: The Dude | December 29, 2016 at 02:53 PM

Morning? I was not awake this morning.

But ti did take me about 30 minutes to figure it out once I woke up around noon. LOL

[SOUP]

Exactly CR. Soup was lit lol.

Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | December 29, 2016 at 02:47 PM

At one point during the tailgate I was singing "Country Roads" by John Denver with two WVU hotties. At least I think they were hotties?

[SOUP]

New bowl game blog will be posted tonight at 8 PM.

[VA Cane]

The punt receiver has what is called a halo; it is supposed to be a yard around him when catching it. Homer was a little early...but i take that kids hustle anyday.

I am not sure about any of the other QBs....Rosier is ok, none of the others have really had a game situation....practicing in shorts is much different than seeing FSU breathing down your neck. It will have to be worked out; there is no clear cut fav and BK is the starter now. It will hinge on him.

Right now is a time to enjoy our win; it was fun it was nice and I thought CMR, staff and kids did a good job and won. I am all about winning; its the main objective.

Soup, all that other shine is ok....BUT...there really is only one moonshine...Franklin County VA Moonshine Capital of The World....its true. I went to college with a cat named John Burris...family been at it for centuries..played big time intramural softball with him....he had the black sports glasses, hat pulled down, long hair, played in jeans....metal cleats....just the bes SS I ever saw....the original Hoover!!! Check this Hungover...I mean Happy Soup!!!!

http://www.vtpublichistory.org/sites/MoonshineAppalachia/historyofthespirits/moonshine-capital-of-the-world/

Guys we won and it was nice fitting way to close out 2016. Go canes in 2016!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

Ariz:

Gurvan Hall telling people he might close up the recruitment early and commit to Miami sometime this spring

^^ Would be HUGE. Kid is elite.

[WWIN]

Posted by: The Dude | December 29, 2016 at 02:03 PM

I can't give Rumph a A yet... his best players were Corn and Colbert and those two were already Made Men

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Fournette will go in the 1st, and no team will pass him because of his choice.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

^^^ Okay, but the top guys could only hurt themselves.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Peter Ariz ‏@PeterAriz 3m3 minutes ago

#Canes safety Rashawn Jenkins posted the highest @PFF_College rating for all safeties in bowl season to this point with an 86.2 mark.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 29, 2016 at 01:12 PM

This is exactly why u don't sit out your bowl game. He might of helped his draft stock!

[VA Cane]

To me that's not regressing, it's a bad quarter. After that we could have picked a score.

I agree; it was a rough start, but you play the next down...and make adjustments....that how I see it. We adjusted pretty damn good, and whipped their ass. Hey CMR, staff, BK, all out guys have things we can improve. We had a rough stretch, but its over. The last 5 have resulted in wins.....I have won some games where it was not perfect....but Al Davis said it best...just win Baby...the great AD!!!!

We have 5 straight; it is a good way to go into recruiting and spring. Great game great adjustments!!!!

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

^^^ Probably took him all morning just to figure out how to change his name back to Happy.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Exactly CR. Soup was lit lol.

[CaneRock]

^^^^^^^^^^^^ LOL...I figured SOUP had a hangover.

[SOUP]

I drank me some REAL West Virginia moonshine at the tailgate yesterday. Actually it was two different kinds of moonshine from WV and one from Tennessee. Paying for it today.

[SOUP]

I think some of the bloggers need to re-learn how to enjoy a significant win and relax, dust the moss and cobwebs off the fun dial and turn it to the right.

Posted by: CGNC | December 29, 2016 at 12:57 PM

There IT is right there.

[CaneRock]

The ND game was sorta like last night's game. Offense started off non-existent, ND's O made em' pay (unlike WVU's O), and our O spent the rest of the game clawing their way back in, with the help of a STs TD.

[CaneRock]

How in God's name did we lose to ND??

Posted by: ColaCane | December 29, 2016 at 02:22 PM

Offense.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

How in God's name did we lose to ND?? Of all our losses, that one STINGS the most. We should've DRUMMED those BUMS!!!

Posted by: ColaCane | December 29, 2016 at 02:22 PM

I know. Richt.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | December 29, 2016 at 02:14 PM

I got him at about C+.

[ColaCane]

How in God's name did we lose to ND?? Of all our losses, that one STINGS the most. We should've DRUMMED those BUMS!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

Rosier beat a top 25 team as a starting QB before Kaaya ever did. That's a fact.

Posted by: BEERicane | December 29, 2016 at 01:59 PM
------------------------------------------

He beat freaking Duke. Stop.

[CaneRock]

Go Canes...yeah, I concur with what Blustein said about Perry. If He has one of those "WOW!" practices, no way in hell Richt isn't persuaded to start em'. The kid's talent pops out on the screen.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Hartley gets a B also.

[WWIN]

Miami Hurricanes

Quarterback grade: Brad Kaaya, 58.4

Kaaya benefits from work after the catch

While Miami QB Brad Kaaya amassed 282 passing yards, 65 percent of his yardage was collected after the catch by his receivers. Regardless, Miami walked away with the bowl victory and Kaaya led the way by tossing four touchdown passes to four different receivers.

Top offensive grades:

RG Tyler Gauthier, 76.2
TE David Njoku, 75.4
WR Ahmmon Richards, 71.3
C Alex Gall, 70.9
WR Malcolm Lewis, 68.9

Receivers key victory

TE David Njoku submitted another performance that should have NFL teams taking notice and true freshman WR Ahmmon Richards provided further evidence that he’s ready to lead the receiving group in 2017 and beyond. Richards displayed elite speed and agility weaving through traffic on a dig route to get the Hurricanes on the board midway through the second quarter. Njoku stiff-armed his way around the initial defender on a screen pass, raced 25 yards down the right sideline, and dove over another defender to reach the end zone to put Miami ahead by 21 in the third quarter.

Top defensive grades:
FS Rayshawn Jenkins, 86.2
ED Joe Jackson, 83.2
SS Jaquan Johnson, 82.7
RCB Adrian Colbert, 79.9
WLB Zach McCloud, 79.5

Speed advantage front-and-center

The Miami defense had an answer for everything the West Virginia coaching staff threw at them. The Hurricanes limited Mountaineers running backs to 2.4 yards per attempt and much of that success came from the work of edge rusher Joe Jackson (83.0 run-defense grade). FS Rayshawn Jenkins posted the highest overall grade by a safety from all 2016 bowl games played to date thanks to earning an 87.7 pass-coverage grade.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/college-russell-athletic-bowl-grades-miami-west-virginia/?utm_content=buffer26031&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=college

[Terrance Sullivan]

Dugan's gets a B asw well.

[WWIN]

Was it me or did it seem like coaches were trying to convince Gus to not trasnfer with all those carries?

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 29, 2016 at 10:16 AM

He was so buried on the depth chart they made him lay in a coffin on the sidelines instead of sitting on the bench...

Then all of a sudden he mentions transferring and he STARTS the next game! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | December 29, 2016 at 02:02 PM

Thats just what they want you to think. Damn communists.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Diaz: A
Kool: A
Rumph: A
Richt: B
Banda: B
Everyone else a C or lower.

[1mg of Epi]

^^^ Why are you posting here Mack when all you do is sh*t talk 86 on other blogs?

Posted by: The Dude | December 29, 2016 at 01:33 PM

Other blogs? There are no other blogs.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Whoever the QB is next year, that OL needs to get more out of its star rating. Searles gets a D grade.

[1mg of Epi]

It's been widely reported that he doesn't have the arm to be a QB in Richt's system. Struggles with playbook, too.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 29, 2016 at 01:14 PM

He looked decent at Duke last year. Don't know the scuttlebutt on him, but seemed to have an arm. Too bad perry won't be EE.

[BEERicane]

Don't expect 9 or more wins if Sheriffs, or god forbid, Rosier starts if Kaaya leaves.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | December 29, 2016 at 01:00 PM

Rosier beat a top 25 team as a starting QB before Kaaya ever did. That's a fact.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

I want Brad to come back and complete the transition of being the top team in the Coastal. If he does that, he cements his legacy as a great Miami QB. It also give Jack and N'Kosi 1 extra year of watching a professional go about his business. That said, Brad can go to the NFL now, and get drafted I think in the 2nd round. If thats what he wants, then I wish him all of the luck in the world. Finally, if he is truly torn, then to me, he has to come back because thats the 1 thing he never gets to do again. The NFL will be there in 2018.

[AfriCane]

What I would really love is if testavarde balls out to uphold his legacy.
Either way, it's looking like it's between the freshman this year and Perry.
I do think rosier gives us the best chance. Short quick and intermediate passes. Plus, he can run.

[Go Canes!]

All things being equal I'd love Perry to overwhelm the field and be the man from day one.

From everything I've read he appears to have the biggest upside