It Is Better To Be Lucky Than Good

Some people simply don't believe in luck.

Some people think that you make your own luck.

Some people think the harder you work the luckier you get.

No matter whether you believe if Lady Luck exists or not, if you attended or watched the University of Miami's game against Georgia Tech on a sloppy, rain soaked field at Hard Rock Stadium you may have to accept that the Hurricanes got more than a little bit lucky in beating the Yellow Jackets by one point.

Yes, somehow, someway, and maybe with some luck, UM squeaked out a 25-24 victory over GT and move their record to 5-0 on the season and remain in the hunt for their first ACC Championship.

Another slow start and lackluster first half performance by Miami that has characterized Mark Richt's tenure at UM and especially during the 2017 season left the heavily favored Hurricanes looking desperately for a little luck to swing in their direction late in the game.

So we now fast forward to late in the fourth quarter when your Miami Hurricanes were in as bad a position as they have been all season, a season already filled with some seriously lucky second half comebacks. UM got the ball at it's own 10 yard line with just 2:30 left on the clock and one last chance to, well for lack of a better phrase, get lucky.

UM QB Malik Rosier, who had been dodging the Tech defense and the sudden but intermittent rain showers all day long, had looked anything but impressive during the game in front of the hyped up and very loud home crowd.

Yet after a couple of safe, quick screen passes to WR Braxton Berrios and TE Christopher Herndon he led the Hurricanes to near midfield. Things were looking up and Lady Luck appeared to be smiling on the team from Miami.

Then, after a couple of incomplete passes and a really curious play call on third down and 11 (run draw play), the Canes were down to their last chance to really see if luck was on their side. And sure enough, on fourth down and 11 to go, Lady Luck showed up and blessed Miami with Darrell Langham. 

Yes, the same tall, fiesty wide receiver who just happened to catch the game-winning touchdown pass with just six seconds to go against FSU last week in Tallahassee. Maybe luck comes in pairs, who knows?

Rosier dropped back to pass on the sloppy, chewed up field and with good protection heaved a long pass down the right sideline in Langham's direction.

Two Tech defenders were all over the play in tight coverage and converged on the ball as it seemed to hang in the air for a very long time. It looked as though the ball may be intercepted or at least fall incomplete and that the Canes would finally be out of luck and any chance at an ACC title.

It was at that very moment that lovely Lady Luck removed her lace veil and kissed Langham squarely on the lips.

The ball first bounced off of Langham's hands, then off the helmet of one of the Yellow Jacket defenders and then up in the air just high enough so that he could manage to snatch it out of the jaws of defeat and into his waiting arms as he fell backwards onto the muddy turf.

Langham's remarkable, spectacular, no make that lucky, first down catch would propel the Hurricanes to a 24 yard, game winning field goal a few seconds later by Michael Badgley with only four seconds to play. 

When it was over, it was hard to tell if one team deserved victory more than the other. But it was pretty easy to see which one was luckier than the other.

Comments

[86Cane]

RK TEAM REC PTS TREND
1 Alabama(63) 7-0 1575 —
2 Penn State 6-0 1483 1
3 Georgia 7-0 1450 2
4 TCU 6-0 1345 3
5 Wisconsin 6-0 1338 1
6 Ohio State 6-1 1243 2
7 Miami 5-0 1144 3
8 Clemson 6-1 1106 6
9 Oklahoma 5-1 1079 3
10 USC 6-1 930 3
11 Oklahoma State 5-1 917 3
12 Washington 6-1 914 8
13 South Florida 6-0 716 2
14 Virginia Tech 5-1 701 3
15 Michigan 5-1 657 1
16 Notre Dame 5-1 614 3
17 NC State 6-1 573 3
18 Washington State 6-1 564
19 Michigan State 5-1 469 3
20 UCF 5-0 439 1
21 Auburn 5-2 354 10
22 Stanford 5-2 286 3
23 West Virginia 4-2 144 NR
24 Texas A&M 5-2 94 NR
25 LSU 5-2 80 NR

[Terrance Sullivan]

Lol I was off by 9 points I had it 34-24 Miami but I gladly took 25-24 Miami we are 5-0 and more importantly 3-0 in the ACC and 3-0 ACC Coastal Play. Get Healed Up, Study Up, and Get ready for Syracuse. Go Canes Beat the Orange.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Outstanding blog.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Has anyone heard the status on Pinckney?

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Outstanding blog.

Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | October 15, 2017 at 04:30 PM

10,000% agree with this statement!

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Hard Rock is an amazing stadium. Looks like the crowds have started to grow. I'm happy we get 2 more big games at home. We have to take care of business going into the VT game. If we win the next 3, the Coastal is ours.

[BigWindyCane1]

The D only gave up 17 points the entire game, and only 3 in the second half. The DL and LBs made a few adjustments, and they basically shut GT down. In the second half. I saw that D play the best half of football I have seen played in the entire ACC this season. Some of those stops were just incredible.

The personality of this defense is starting to be revealed. Among ACC leaders in TFL and sacks per game, but doesn't give up any runs over 50 yards, and allows the lowest TD % in the red zone. The D usually gets a turnover during the game, and they don't miss very many tackles.

Knowles or whoever plays opposite Jaquan Johnson really needs to step it up, but overall I was pleased. Even the second LB unit was outstanding, which surprised me.

The defensive line is the strength of the D, and they are deep, talented and very effective to a man. It seemed they rotated 8-9 DLs, and they all were very effective.

All we need is for that offense to pick it up. Rosier has to start early, and make those simple reads and throws. Those missed throws in the first quarter were all on him. The second half was obviously much better, with CMR calling better plays for him to work with, but I am sure Rosier knows he left a couple of big plays out there. CMR will clean that up.

I really would like to see Richards back in the lineup. Richards presence changes everything on offense. Berrios is the leading receiver, Thomas appears to be emerging, and Langham is a legitimate target to compliment the others.

[BigWindyCane1]

Outstanding blog.

Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | October 15, 2017 at 04:30 PM

10,000% agree with this statement!

Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | October 15, 2017 at 04:50 PM

Me 2!

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | October 15, 2017 at 04:57 PM

I'm saying I think you are 100% right, but this is a damn good post.

[roachcane77]

"It was at that very moment that lovely Lady Luck removed her lace veil and kissed Langham square on the lips."

You need to be writing novels my friend...

Great blog!

"Some people think the harder you work the luckier you get." (Count ME in THIS camp.)
Our second half statistics PROVE our players are working harder to "make" their own luck.
Let's Go CANES!

[SinisterCane]

GO CANEZ

[WWIN]

So, WWIN, Did Diaz get exposed by GT this year? You did state earlier that Diaz gets figured out in his second year, so just checking.

Posted by: Ron Mayflower | October 15, 2017 at 03:26 PM

How would you know you wasn't around then... unless you're using a fake name???

But to answer your question yes he was until Mother Nature stepped in lol! I'm not sold on Diaz but if you are cool. I'm not calling for him to be fired but I think people need to slow down on praising him

[WWIN]

I would call it luck had it not been for that fraudulent cut block they called on Mullins! We were already in FG range and moving until they called that!

[MLAlumni1970]

Kinda like a fairytale wedding as the bride (named Lady Luck) lifted her beautiful, cathedral length, white, lace veil (I improvised) and lovingly kissed LANGHAM squarely on the lips.
HAPPINESS EVER AFTER, AND HER LACE VEIL, PRODUCED 7 LADY LUCKS OVER THE YEARS FOR THE CANES.

I AM PROUD TO BE A MIAMI HURRICANE.

[WWIN]

Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | October 15, 2017 at 04:57 PM

Rosier did have some bad throws but 1st qtr was all fade routes which are low percentage pass plays and to small WR's... that's on CMR

[Go Canes!]

There were a lot more than fade routes missed in that game by Malik.

But he’s a streaky QB and bounced back to gave an overall fine game.

We are doing a great job of winning as a team right now. There have been mistakes by every unit and the coaching staff, including CMR this year. But in the clutch they’ve all come through.

[CaneRock]

If you look at those toss sweeps, GT was using unbalanced lines. The D should've treated the RG as the C, and lined up from there. And we were basically wasting a defender on what looked like the slot, He was ineligible, He was covered up by the slot.

[CaneRock]

And we can't afford to waste a whole half to make adjustments vs Syracuse, they'll have us down 31-0 before we know it.

[VA Cane]

What a mean looking group of fans...I think all of you played D in the second half....Scary!!!!

Yes we were lucky, but we have been so unlucky and cursed since the 02 title game it was our turn. I will gladly take the win....glad you all had fun at the game!!!!

[BigWindyCane1]

Enough with these slow starts. The Canes need to come out ready to play. I am looking for signs to see whether the Canes turn the corner this week, and come out of the gates playing fast, putting up points on offense and shutting people down on D in the first half.

[WWIN]

Posted by: Go Canes! | October 15, 2017 at 06:46 PM

I said 1st qtr... but not really... he was 9/13 2nd qtr. He missed a WIDE OPEN out to Harley, made a dumb decision to pass instead of running near the goal line that could have been picked off, and made a bad decision throwing into double coverage to Langham that turned into gold... but other than that I didn't see anymore wide open passes that were missed or where a WR had good separation.

But my thing was... WHY WERE WE PASSING SO MUCH??? Usually when the run game is not working CMR forces it anyways but yesterday the run game was working and he went away from it???

[CGNC]

Posted by: VA Cane | October 15, 2017 at 07:31 PM

haha that is Canespace 2017 minus a few peeps. You are going to absolutely love the stadium. Can't wait for you to see it

[86Cane]

Thanks for the blog props. The best blogs come from the best games and for the best reasons. Real life stories, heartfelt emotions and a strong and clear story line. Doesn't get any better than that!

For all of the stupid crap I do on here sometimes, please forgive me (Go Canes). For the times I get it right, please understand me (RoachCane). For all the other times, please BLOG ON!

#GoCanesBeatTheCuse

#IGotThis

#BetterToBeLuckyThanGood

[86Cane]

What a mean looking group of fans...I think all of you played D in the second half....Scary!!!!

Posted by: VA Cane | October 15, 2017 at 07:31 PM

Yeah, we baaaaaaaaaaaadddddd.

We Nationwide.

[CGNC]

We Nationwide.

Posted by: 86Cane | October 15, 2017 at 08:31 PM

True dat

[VA Cane]

This blog is a lifeline to a great bunch of family; its the only blog I am on....no need for any other one....we got everything in life covered here!!!

[Ron Mayflower]

Posted by: WWIN | October 15, 2017 at 06:02 PM

He was? Okay, LoL. Only for the record.

And Oh, I have been around. Just don't get around to posting much.

[canezilla]

SAW A TERRANCE SIGHTING AFTER THE GAME.. FRESH HAIR CUT AND NAILS DONE!!!

[CGNC]

Boo yah goes Zilla

[86Cane]

FRESH HAIR CUT AND NAILS DONE!!!

Posted by: canezilla | October 15, 2017 at 09:44 PM

Say what? Has that dude gone soft on us???

[Alex D]

Steve Ishmael, Sr. WR #8 - 62 Rec., 802 yds, 4 Tds. I hope this hometown kid does not make the U pay for Al Golden not offering him a scholarship. He is the real deal and remind me a lot of T.Y. Hilton. Our secondary is going to have their hands full trying to contain him. I will wait until the end of the week to give my game prediction. Last game I predicted the U 27 and GT 24. What the heck, might as well give my prediction now; U 27 - Cuse 23; defense makes a 4th down stop to win the game.

[1mg of Epi]

Sorry guys. Started a shitstorm then disappeared.

Here's something...
Announcers rarely call out coaching, for obvious reasons I guess... they do have to interact w the staff prior to each game. That being said, announcers the last 2 games called out the OC, specifically wondering why the route tree had so few branches. They couldn't understand why we were doing the same things over and over, failing each time.

Anywhoozle, 7/8 is damn good in my book.

[86Cane]

What the heck, might as well give my prediction now; U 27 - Cuse 23; defense makes a 4th down stop to win the game.

Posted by: Alex D | October 15, 2017 at 11:03 PM

That is some WEAK sauce.

Come back and try again later?

UM 34 - Cuse 13

[BigWindyCane1]

Canes are a -14 point favorite at home against Syracuse. Clemson was a -23.5 point favorite on the road last week before the upset. Still, I would like the Canes get on track and finally cover that point spread with a convincing win. Another close game at home would be very troubling

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: 86Cane | October 15, 2017 at 11:51 PM

He's right about their WR though. Richards is better but they've got a good one. The good news is, for them to get him the ball, they got to hold up against our filthy front 4. Expect Thomas and the boys to bring pain.

[86Cane]

COME ON MAN! U guys are talking RECRUITING in the middle of the season. U don't think there is enough time to talk about that during the OFF SEASON? We are 5-0 and may be headed to an ACC title and U guys are talking RECRUITING? I have a right mind to BAN U!

[Terrance Sullivan]

Lol Zola and 86. Ha. I say Miami 41 Syracuse 28. Go Canes.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Lol Zilla and 86.

[86Cane]

I deleted several posts.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/acc/university-of-miami/article178950841.html

[Keoki]

Great comeback again and will take the W
Greats oics of everyone @ the tailgate 86
One game at a time and hope our injuries and slow starts dan't catch up to us. Shout out to the D and the adjustments, Rosier, Homer & Langham

F'the Turds!
GO CANES!!!

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Recruiting never sleeps. These kids are taking visits as we speak, and our winning keeps it all together. Its all connected.

[AfriCane]

We r 5-0 and u all make it feel like we lost 3 straight. Can’t even enjoy the team success. U all take sadness out of the teeth of joy. I’m not suggesting that we don’t analyze the game. But common!

[Go Canes!]

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 15, 2017 at 11:22 PM

For extended parts of that game we had two true freshman and an undersized slot guy at WR, a true sophomore RB making his first start ever, a true freshman making his first start at RG and a streaky QB making his sixth ever start.

Don't some of you being so critical of the offense ever consider the fact game experience, knowledge of the playbook and each individual player's strengths factor into the play calling?

Imo CMR is a 160+ win coach who knows what puts these kids in the best position to make plays while minimizing the chance of costly errors that can result in a turnover or botched opportunty.

Won't check but I'd venrure a guess that Thomas, Harley, Choc, Homer, Cager and Laghman have less career catches combined than Richards alone had just last season.

Give me a break with these hyper critical views of our offense.

[WWIN]

This win could be one of those program changing type wins! Didn't matter what the score was just needed the W! Coming right off the fsu game with a lot of key players injured, going against a triple option offense and a pretty good GA Tech team. Showed that we could win without our star players and built depth at the same time. We gained a RB and a WR! Every team needs luck or breaks throughout the season and looking at this past weekend some teams didn't survive it.

But we'll find out this weekend what type of win it was?

[WWIN]

On the onside kick...

Soon as the 2nd qtr ended I said... "we're going to come out 2nd half and do a onside kick because we're scared we can't stop Tech from scoring" and my assumption was right lol!

The thing about it was... if he kicked it long enough and we got it what would people have said then? So if you would have been happy had we recovered it you should be mad at the execution not the call.

[WWIN]

Posted by: Go Canes! | October 16, 2017 at 06:35 AM

That stuff doesn't matter when your run game is working but you just decide to throw a bunch of fade routes in the red zone to all of your SMALLER WR'S! Why do we not have our bigger WR's in the game on the goal line?

[Go Canes!]

Posted by: WWIN | October 16, 2017 at 06:40 AM

Posted by: WWIN | October 16, 2017 at 06:52 AM

Agree 100%

[Go Canes!]

Posted by: WWIN | October 16, 2017 at 06:57 AM

Should have had Langham in there for sure but Cager looks completely lost. Have no idea what's up with that kid.

As far as the running game goes, when you are down 14-3 in a game with so few posessions expected, think it's human nature not to want to make it worse by running which kills clock.

Once Malik settled in he was fine anyway.

[30CINCO]

The same Miami Hurricanes WR made amazing clutch catches during back-to-back wins in the final seconds

https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/10/15/16473272/miami-georgia-tech-final-score-fsu-acc-coastal-2017