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

[WWIN]

Posted by: TruCane81 | October 16, 2017 at 10:39 PM

When he had that Kick 6 vs Auburn what was said about him?

[1mg of Epi]

When did they start calling Neo-Nazi/white supremacist.....white nationalist?

Anyway I hope CMR uses this against UF in recruiting

Posted by: SinisterCane | October 16, 2017 at 04:33 P

PC culture strikes again lol

[TruCane81]

When he had that Kick 6 vs Auburn what was said about him?

Posted by: WWIN | October 16, 2017 at 11:21 PM

Lol Touche.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: TruCane81 | October 16, 2017 at 10:39 PM

People would be like, "You see that! That's leadership! Our HC would never go out there and take a dump on the field."

[TruCane81]

But hey WWIN, nobodys perfect, even if you do got so many rings it gave you arthritis.

I dont expect perfection from CMR. It just pisses me off that our strategy problems are blamed on personel when they have been consitent over two seasons with two completely different types of qbs.

You got coaching apologists contending that Richt wont design and demand five yard completions to a DOMINANT recieving tight end because Malik is not accurate enough.

The shyts laughable.

[TonyCane]

TruCane, to be fair we have been 5-0 only one other time since 2004...the 2013 season. We really haven't seen this too often before.

[TruCane81]

TruCane, to be fair we have been 5-0 only one other time since 2004...the 2013 season. We really haven't seen this too often before.

Posted by: TonyCane | October 16, 2017 at 11:56 PM

Point taken but you get my drift.

[TruCane81]

People would be like, "You see that! That's leadership! Our HC would never go out there and take a dump on the field."

Posted by: His Royal Dudeness | October 16, 2017 at 11:36 PM

Lol hell yeah.

I did criticize the hell out of Saban for trying to kick that 80 yard field goal. Just gave fsu punk ass the title lol

[TonyCane]

TruCane, to be fair we have been 5-0 only one other time since 2004...the 2013 season. We really haven't seen this too often before.

Posted by: TonyCane | October 16, 2017 at 11:56 PM

Point taken but you get my drift.

Posted by: TruCane81 | October 17, 2017 at 12:34 AM

Totally understand. Again, I think we're two years away from thoroughly dominating the Coastal. The Canes did not fall apart overnight - it took years of bad luck, bad recruiting, and transfers to drop Miami down from over 40 four and five star players to

Year, 4/5 star players on roster at season start, record after 5 games:

2006: 46 (3-2)
2007: 42 (4-1)
2008: 42 (2-3)
2009: 41 (4-1)
2010: 39 (3-2)
2011: 28 (2-3)
2012: 21 (4-1)
2013: 22 (5-0)
2014: 25 (3-2)
2015: 28 (3-2)
2016: 27 (4-1)
2017: 29 (5-0)

Next year's total should jump up substantially. We lose 6 four and five star players to graduation after this season, but replace them with at least 16.

If the 2019 class is similarly strong we're definitely back over that 40 four/five star player threshold. Then we start seeing the dominance of old.

[TruCane81]

Completely agree Tony. Great work with the stats as usual.

I like how you use them to make points that noone can really argue with.

I too do not believe this team is ready for week
in, week out dominance. This is not my contention.

I just believe there is alot left on the field with THIS group, even with its flaws.

I believe in us, because I have seen what our players can do.

More importantly, I have seen what Richt can do. When he is on, he is impressive.

I.hold.him to such high expectations because of his track record and pedigree.

This group will probably lose games they should not. But its still unacceptable to have so many slow starts.

Dominant pass catching tight ends dont.grow on trees. Herndon makes our offense hum.

Get him the ball in the first and you wont be sweating bullets in the fourth.

Make it happen. No excuses.

If we drop passes or the d adjusts and.takes it away.eventually fine, but we will have played to our strength, and I accept any result as long as we do that.

[1mg of Epi]

THE TITLE OF THIS BLOG READS..IT IS BETTER TO BE LUCKY THEAN GOOD... IF 86 HAD A DOLLAR EVERYTIME HE HEARD THIS IN HIS LIFE, DUDE WOULD BE LOADED!!!!

Posted by: canezilla | October 16, 2017 at 02:41 PM

Why would the dude get rich? 86 is the one getting the dollars.

[Go Canes!]

Players available this past game that have proven to be clutch... Herndon, Langham, Berrios, Homer... are they not good enough to destroy GA Tech???

Posted by: WWIN | October 16, 2017 at 11:15 PM

Even after our game GT has a Top 20 defensive ranking nationally. Plus we have limited opportunities because of the offense they run. So no, I don't think they should be "destroying" GT with that very, very inexperienced offensive lineup.

http://www.ncaa.com/stats/football/fbs/current/team/22

[86Cane]

Then we start seeing the dominance of old.

Posted by: TonyCane | October 17, 2017 at 01:17 AM

I don't think anyone is expecting or asking for dominance. Dominant is when you regularly beat top 10 teams and win championships.

It is nowhere near claiming that you are dominant when you expect to beat an unranked GT team and instead have to struggle and get lucky to beat an unranked team that runs a 1970's offense.

Anyone who watches our games and especially our offense knows we have a long road to go and that we are not utilizing our talent effectively. It is plain ans simple really.

[86Cane]

Why would the dude get rich? 86 is the one getting the dollars.

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 17, 2017 at 07:19 AM

I see what you did there.

[TonyCane]

86, we potentially are not utilizing our talent most effectively. But you can say that this regime is mishandling its talent less so than previous regimes.

[30CINCO]

At midseason 2017, laying out Miami Hurricanes’ path to College Football Playoff

http://caneswatch.blog.palmbeachpost.com/2017/10/16/at-midseason-2017-laying-out-miami-hurricanes-path-to-college-football-playoff/

[Ron Mayflower]

86cane 7:52am

I don"t think anyone would deny we have a long way to go. We need a bruiser at RB. Choc doesn"t appear to be ready. We need more impact players in the secondary. Our guys don't seem to have the talent to play the ball and get INTs. I didnt think JT would be caught on the long pass play, but he was caught and we couldnot get a TD. Our OL is serviceable but not great.

Whenever GT has an extra week to prep they have been winning 2(008 and 2014, IIRC). PJ and Roof are not bad coaches.

However, even the best of teams can go through lulls in scoring. The 2001 team played BC and VT so close with Chud calling plays. IIRC, Dorsey started cold in the Rose bowl game as well.

I do hope our team has turned the corner. I cannot take more close games, LoL.

[Ron Mayflower]

oh, we need AR82 back asap.

[SinisterCane]

Brad Kaaya cut by the Panthers LOL

[BigWindyCane1]

I like Dugans, but I have to ask myself a question about this development/assessment of his receiving corps? Do I give Dugans credit for developing ACC receiver of the week, Langham? Or do I blame Duggans for not playing the former three-star receiver Langham sooner, and instead playing more coveted four-star recruits out of high school?

You cannot underestimate the skill, talent and ability that Langham flashed over the last two weeks. Langham brings a missing element to the Canes offense that it has been lacking recently. Langham played like like an elite ACC receiver, and it is clear that when things get tough, Rosier trusts him. Langham has put in some serious work, and he can really help open up this offense once AR82 gets back on the field.

In the end, I think I will at least have to give Dugans credit for finally recognizing that Langham earned the right to quickly move up the depth chart.

And I agree that his WRs are blocking downfield. That is what competition does - eliminates a sense of entitlement.

[WWIN]

Posted by: TruCane81 | October 16, 2017 at 11:38 PM

You are 100% correct!

In my opinion... if CMR is so scared of Rosier throwing over the middle he needs to play someone else!

[WWIN]

Posted by: Go Canes! | October 17, 2017 at 07:21 AM

We had PLENTY of opportunities to destroy GA Tech!!!

[Go Canes!]

Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | October 17, 2017 at 09:50 AM

I wonder if this explains a lot of why he wasnt playing earlier this year. Last year would have been tougher with Coley, Richards and Lewis ahead of him:

Richt said Langham and cornerback Michael Jackson — another lightly recruited Al Golden signee who stuck it out — had to “create better practice habits,” and earned more playing time.

[86Cane]

Tony...Don't get me wrong the current staff is a huge upgrade over our past two regimes. I am HAPPY we are winning these close games instead of losing them. But I don't think there is a need to sugar coat the deficiencies in what we see as fans.

[86Cane]

We are not asking Richt to allow Rosier to throw DEEP or LATE over the middle, just short crossing routes, drag routes and seam routes 5-10 yards down field. We are talking about short, EASY dump off routes to get the ball in the hands of the speedy playmakers in open space while on the run. When was the last time you saw a UM player catch the ball in the open field on a dead run? Oh yeah, the was when AR82 took it to the house. Again, it is not complicated or difficult to understand.

[Go Canes!]

It's time, there is no more delaying.

[KYcane]

Keeping with the theme of this blog...

“Good luck is a residue of preparation.”
Jack Youngblood
7 pro bowls
Hall of Fame

[thirstybuzzardcane]

I'm getting nauseated at all this freaking whining and nitpicking.

Posted by: Go Canes! | October 16, 2017 at 09:37 PM

Puke bags are in the seat back pocket.

Have at it!

Posted by: 86Cane | October 16, 2017 at 10:27 PM

I'm glad I don't sit in front of him on the bus!

[thirstybuzzardcane]

We are not asking Richt to allow Rosier to throw DEEP or LATE over the middle, just short crossing routes, drag routes and seam routes 5-10 yards down field. We are talking about short, EASY dump off routes to get the ball in the hands of the speedy playmakers in open space while on the run. When was the last time you saw a UM player catch the ball in the open field on a dead run? Oh yeah, the was when AR82 took it to the house. Again, it is not complicated or difficult to understand.

Posted by: 86Cane | October 17, 2017 at 10:39 AM

👆👆👆 What he said!!!

[thirstybuzzardcane]

I told you guys we wouldn't miss a beat when Walton went down. You might think I'm crazy, but I would take Homer over a healthy Walton right now.

[Ron Mayflower]

WWIN 10:29 am

GT also had opportunities to put the game away. If their receiver had made the third down catch, we might not have gotten the ball back.

Rosier is the best QB we have. Why would we not play him over the others when we can move the ball with the so called "unimaginative" offense for the most part? Throwing over the middle is less important than winning, is it not?

[thirstybuzzardcane]

Can't believe Malik never watched film when under Golden. I mean really, what coaching staff doesn't demand the players to watch film!

[TruCane81]

Posted by: 86Cane | October 17, 2017 at 10:39 AM

THIS times infinity Soup.

[TruCane81]

Throwing over the middle is less important than winning, is it not?

Posted by: Ron Mayflower | October 17, 2017 at 11:11 AM

For us there is no either/ or. They are the same.

Throwing the ball short to our playmakers in open space is OUR recipe to win.

Do it earlier and the wins are easier.

[TruCane81]

Can't believe Malik never watched film when under Golden. I mean really, what coaching staff doesn't demand the players to watch film!

Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | October 17, 2017 at 11:12 AM

WHAT?

Where the hell did you hear this Thirsty?

[Go Canes!]

I'm glad I don't sit in front of him on the bus!

Posted by: thirstybuzzardcane | October 17, 2017 at 10:52 AM

You should be.

The incessant whining and fear from the safe place finding guys on here would make the trip unbearable.

I ask again, what Top 25 team is consistently playing this offense you wish we were?

[BigWindyCane1]

Some good news from Porter of PBP:

Safety Redwine was present at practice.

WR Ahmmon Richards (hamstring) "appeared to be full-go."

RG Navaughn Donaldson (right ankle sprain) and CB Dee Delaney (right knee) were riding stationary bikes. Donaldson was no longer wearing the boot he had on last week. Delaney had a knee brace on (Boy did those haters at ESPN have their injury report wrong).

LB Michael Pinckney (chest) was present and not in pads. He was wearing a green (no-contact) jersey.

WR Braxton Berrios was in a green (no-contact) jersey. He was in pads. Berrios was given at least one day off post-FSU to recover from soreness.

Receiver Dayall Harris was back in his regular No. 80 jersey. He has served a three-game suspension for a team rules violation and is expected to play this week.

[86Cane]

Throwing over the middle is less important than winning, is it not?

Posted by: Ron Mayflower | October 17, 2017 at 11:11 AM

It is not either or, it is that one thing leads to the other (next blog title?). Winning is more important than throwing over the middle but throwing over the middle doesn't mean we will not win. On the contrary, we may score more and win much more easily?

I would rate things as such:

1. Winning
2. Tailgating
3. Throwing over the middle.

[86Cane]

Go Canes...the answer to your question is easy: Go look up the top 10 scoring offenses in college football, then look at top 10 passing offenses and top 10 rushing offenses. See what teams have most of those things in common and then report back to the blog. You have 8 Hours to compile your report.

#DontBeLazy

#DoYourResearch

#KnowTheFacts

[86Cane]

OLD STORY BUT INTERESTING...

UTSA Athletics
Last Updated - Jan 6, 2016 20:22 EST
Contact |Archive |RSS

SAN ANTONIO — After starting the UTSA football program from scratch in 2009 and leading the Roadrunners to 26 victories in their first five seasons, Larry Coker announced Tuesday that he is stepping down as the program's head coach.

"UTSA has been a very special place to me and I will be forever grateful for the experience," Coker said. "The future of UTSA football is very bright and I look forward to watching the Roadrunners' success in the future."

While leading UTSA, Coker tutored 14 all-conference selections, 17 academic all-conference selections and the first All-American in program history in 2015 USA Today second-team tight end David Morgan II. Triston Wade became the first semifinalist for a national award when he made the cut for the 2014 Jim Thorpe Award given annually to the nation's top defensive back. Eric Soza (2013) and Nate Leonard (2014) were the first two UTSA student-athletes to be honored as a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athletes and finalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, while Soza also was a member of the 2013 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team and a finalist for the Wuerffel Trophy that same year.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: 1mg of Epi | October 17, 2017 at 07:19 AM

Because WW is the best f*cking agent in the game. I damn near own this blog after Al Golden.

[86Cane]

READ THIS, VERY INTERESTING ON COACHING CHANGES:

http://www.ncaa.com/news/football/article/2015-11-29/2015-fbs-coaching-carousel

[RCCF]

Malik Rosier is the equal of Brock Berlin

Servicable, VERY streaky, Winner Blood, HeartAttack for Fans
Loved/Hated etc etc... BB Jr.

12%

[Go Canes!]

You’re is the lazy way actually.

We’re averaging 35 a game and ranked 35th.

Some of the teams ahead us? West Virginia, Arkansas State, Memphis and Ohio, Western Michigan and North Texas.

The real question is among the big boys, who runs an offense as diversified as you’re expecting and demanding of us?

[86Cane]

So FAU is 3-3 and FIU is 4-2 on the season.

UM beat BCC 41-13.

FAU beat BCC 45-0.

Your thoughts please?

[HillViewCane]

Rosier is way better than Berlin. Brock Berlin was always 1 throw from an interception.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

WHAT?

Where the hell did you hear this Thirsty?

Posted by: TruCane81 | October 17, 2017 at 11:30 AM

Malik himself. He said it during a interview.

[thirstybuzzardcane]

You know what's great. We are 5-0 and haven't even come close to playing our best football yet!

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | October 17, 2017 at 09:50 AM

Maybe Cager is a better practice player and its taken a few games for the staff to see when the lights go on, he doesnt play to his ability. Langham is emerging now, I'd be shocked if they dont run with him now. I do worry that Malik might get a little too confident in Langham now. We cant have the mindset that a miracle is just one chuck of the football away. We need to be undefeated going into our game with VT. Richt has got to find a way to be more on schedule with the offense or our luck is going to run out, which is fine with my expectations, so long as it doesnt happen against teams we cant afford to lose to, of course, we dont get to pick that. Syracuse would be a great game to get into a groove against. I wouldnt mind having everything figured out going into VT.

[HillViewCane]

In Berlin's defense he did improve but in his Junior year/ first year starting he 12 td's and 17 interceptions!!!

As a senior he was 22 and 6. So an improvement there even though his completion percentage dropped. But his Junior year he had 1 great half against Florida. To his credit his senior numbers were good and he never lost to FSU or UF. However Rosier is better