Gameday blog: Ga. Tech 41, UM 23 (F)

ST. THOMAS -- Wish I could say I was in the freezing cold with the rest of the UM sports writers for tonight's game, but I've been sent to this terrible place called the U.S. Virgin Islands to cover Frank Haith's basketball team. It's horrible. My hotel, Marriott's Frenchman Reef & Morning Star, has a terrible view of the ocean. And these pina coladas aren't even close to being the best I've had in my life.

But enough about my horrible assignment. I'll be watching tonight's game from my hotel room and sharing my thoughts as it rolls along. I don't know about you, but I'm excited about this game. It's been a while since Miami played a meaningful game like this -- if you don't count last week. But you know what I mean.

SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS/THOUGHTS...
> Georgia Tech picks up right where it left it off and moves right down the field. Consider it a small victory Miami held the Yellow Jackets to a field goal. GT 27, UM 3.
> Talk about a strange drive. But at least UM is showing life. Dedrick Epps hauls an 18-yard touchdown pass from Robert Marve with 7:45 left to play in the third quarter to get into the end zone. Epps made a huge 30-yard catch on the drive. Thearon Collier caught a 21-yard pass on 4th and 13. But the play of the drive? Kayne Farquharson running onto the field on the touchdown pass when UM was short one player and delivers a key block to allow Marve to throw the TD. GT 27, UM 10.
> Safe to say this one is over now. Josh Nesbitt scores on a 1-yard plunge to make it 34-10 with 4:08 to play. Miami has given up 361 yards rushing to this triple option attack. GT 34, 10.
> I think the bigger thing to take from this game is that Miami certainly isn't the first team to struggle against this offense. Whatever UM did to prepare in practice this week, didn't get them ready. Sometimes, that happens.
> It's become flat-out embarrassing. Lucas Cox makes it 41-10 with a run right up the middle. Now, the question becomes does Georgia Tech set a record for rushing yards tonight? 395 yards rushing on Miami. I'm going to google this.
> At this point, I'm wondering why more backups aren't in the game. No need for starters to get hurt. Miami still has something to play for next week at N.C. State.
> Jacory Harris moves UM downfield and into the end zone with a touchdown pass to Leonard Hankerson with 10 minutes left in the game. Maybe something to build on a night when so much went wrong. GT 41, UM 16.

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS/THOUGHTS...
> So far, the story of the game has been Miami's inability to stop the triple option on the edges. While the defensive tackles did a good job plugging up the middle, Jonathan Dwyer and company were able to to run to the outside. Georgia Tech capped its first drive with a 31-yard field goal with 5:53 left. GT 3, UM 0.
> Couple nice early plays for the Canes young defensive players -- Sean Spence and Marcus Robinson each have a sack.
> Special teams was horrible in the first quarter. Travis Benjamin couldn't get past the 20 on the first kicks he handled. Matt Bosher nearly had a punt blocked and had another go 32 yards.
> As bad as the 1st quarter was for UM (GT outgained UM 145-45), the second quarter has gotten off to an even worse start. Michael Johnson's 26-yard interception return for a touchdown has put the Yellow Jackets up two scores with 13:28 left. UM showed a lot of heart in rallying to victory this season in tough places. They'll have to do it again tonight. Georgia Tech 10, UM 0.
> It wasn't a touchdown, but it was something. After getting picked on his first series inside the Georgia Tech 20, Jacory Harris leads UM on a scoring drive his next series. He made a couple nice throws, hooking up with Aldarius Johnson along the sideline and then Sam Shields, who made a nice move for a 23-yard gain. It ended with a 24-yard Matt Bosher field goal with 6:19 left in the half. GT 10, UM 3.
> And right when you think Miami has built a little momentum, the defense gets torched by the triple option. Jonathan Dwyer races right up the middle of the field for a 58-yard scoring run. Anthony Reddick and Romeo Davis over-pursued on the plays. This is where you miss a Colin McCarthy. GT 17, UM 3.

PREGAME
> Slow down the triple option offense: Shannon talked this week about tackling high and causing turnovers. GT is next to last in the nation when it comes to turning the ball over via the fumble. Miami needs to make sure though it wraps up, especially the Yellow Jackets big man when he runs up the middle.
> Make sure your quarterbacks aren't forced to win today: Georgia Tech has a very good defense, but what is most special about the Yellow Jackets is their secondary. The last time UM played a secondary like this, UCF nearly pulled off the upset. Robert Marve and Jacory Harris need to be caretakers today.
> Continue to capitalize in the red zone: Miami has been the best team in the ACC when it comes to scoring in the red zone and that's a big reason why they are on this five game winning streak. Last week, UM couldn't punch the ball into the end zone against Virginia Tech, but still came away with points every time down. They need to do the same this week if it hopes to end the three game losing streak against Georgia Tech.
> It might be time for me to head back to the beach. Georgia Tech is running right through Miami's defense. 229 yards now. Jonathan Dwyer has 10 carries for 129 yards and two touchdowns. His last one might have put a nail in Miami's coffin with 1:59 left in the first half. GT 24, UM 3.

STOCK MARKET
> I'm expecting hot games today from Glenn Cook, Marcus Forston and the middle of Miami's defense. As good as UM looked last week sacking Virginia Tech's quarterbacks, I think the Canes win tonight because Cook, Spence and those no-name defensive tackles (Joe Joseph, Dwayne Hendricks) represent.
> I'd stay cool on the tight ends. Last week, I expected Dedrick Epps, Chris Zellner and company to play well and they were shutout. I don't see them breaking out this game.

Comments

[CAcane]

YellowJacteeeeezzzy! Where you at? Gurrrrl, please. Still a lot of football to play, win or lose. Go Canes.

[Sonny]

I wish some one would provide a total of missed tackles

[Gibdog]

Wow, that was too easy...Good call there guys, all this week we hear, just play assignment football. Well???????????

[BBrinkley]

OK...SO WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IF WE LOSE TONIGHT FOR US TO WIN THE DIVISION???

[sam]

What is going on? This defense is pathetic. Why is Jacory Harris not in?

[Sonny]

offense never got going, defense couldnt tackle, story of the game

[UMfootball]

stop this game please

[johnny]

well what can we do? we're finished, we could score on every posession but so will GT. lets get over it and forget it, beat NC state and prepare for the bowl season.

[BBrinkley]

What the hell was that 4th down call???

[Gibdog]

that was a great call, 4th and 1 Nix??????

[SFCane]

That play needs explaination!!!!

4th and 1 inch and Marve is in the Shootgun!!!

Are you kidding me???!!!

AAAAAAUUUUUUGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

[keyman]

sorry but I think this whole coaching staff has to go; please look at what other coaches are doing with sooo much less talent...Paul Johnson, Butch Davis, Mike Leach, wow the list is endless!!!!!!!!!

[SFCane]

I am beginning to really HATE Paul Johnson.

[johnny]

can we just forfeit?? please get this game over with for the love of god!!! this is horrible!

[SFCane]

AAAAAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

[BBrinkley]

EMBARASSING

[Sonny]

fundamental option defense, wing guys , force the play inside!!!

[UMfootball]

wat a coordinator NIX is i stick by my word all season FIRE NIX

[BBrinkley]

Just wait...in a year or two we will absolutely crush this team for this rubbing our face in it. I will forever despise GT.

[keyman]

UM has just bent over and taken it up the ass!!!!

[johnny]

we were able to do better against tebows offense, this is incredible, this is painful, absolutely nothing is going right, nothing! please tell me its the 4th quarter

[norm]

This is the game that will cost Marve his starting spot.

[UMfootball]

there goes are ACC championship game

[Cooperstown Cane]

Unbeleivable why don't you put more than 4 guy's on the frigin line .

[Hasnain]

Patrick Nix has the most god awful play calling ever...Whats this guy doing??????

[SFCane]

Why won't Marve throw it away? Why run for the side lines for a 2 yard loss?

[keyman]

UM's defense is currently lounging out on south beach, LOL!

[SFCane]

Jacory!
Jacory!
Jacory now!!!

[Cooperstown Cane]

Hay what do you think GT is going to do. RUN the frigin Ball.Maybe put more that 4 guys on the line.

[Hasnain]

The defense is awful... the special team is awful, the offense is awful... Randy Shannon did the worst job of his career in this game. He told them to tackle high trying to get fumbles...Tech got nothing but touchdowns

[BBrinkley]

We can still win the division...strangely enough. I want to see HARRIS the rest of this game. I also hope we crush GT next season.

[Manny Navarro]

I'm still not sure why the starters are in. At this point, Arthur Brown and everyone who isn't being redshirted should be in the game. No need to get any important guys hurt. Miami still has something to play for.

[Miami Sucks]

It sucks!
To be!
A Miami Hurricane!
You wish!
You were!
A member of the human race!
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! YOU ALL SUCK!! YOU'RE GETTING TRAIN RUN ON YOU ON NATIONAL TV!! THE WHOLE WORLD IS SEEING HOW MUCH YOU SUCK!!!
Remember, all you mommies and daddies out there - if you want your kid to come home in a bodybag, by all means, let them go to UM. Otherwise, send them to any other real college in the real United States of America!

[keyman]

It dont matter which QB is in. The coaching staff is the ultimate embarassment! Such a waste of talent. I hope these players transfer to a school with real coaches; which gives them the option of 118 other schools to choose from.

[YellowJacketeeeezy]

YellowJacteeeeezzzy! Where you at? Gurrrrl, please. Still a lot of football to play, win or lose. Go Canes.

Posted by: CAcane | November 20, 2008 at 09:53 PM

YEAH I WAS GETTING MY SCIENTIFIC CALCULATOR TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT HOW MANY RUSHING YARDS WE HAD.

NOT SINCE WORLD WAR 2 HAS MIAMI GIVEN UP THIS MANY RUSHING YARDS

BAWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

WHAT A JOKE!!!!!

[BBrinkley]

I say leave the starters in as punishment and so the young guys get experience.

[UMfootball]

its safe to say that all are DBs suck non can tackle they dont deserve to b at the U.

[CAcane]

Yep -- young fellas might've gotten to reading the papers and listening to ESPN's talking heads too much, thought they'd get handed the ACC title (what we're getting handed is our arses). Learning experience for the young ones, I hope. Nevertheless, go Canes.

[Sarasota 'cane]

This is coaching. This isnt Larry Coker or having young players.

This is an unprepared football team playing undisciplined football. They look sick out there.

[BBrinkley]

Please stop this...I cant sleep, but please, no more scoring for GT!!

[SFCane]

We are getting beat by the 3rd string!!!!

AAAAAUUUUUUGGGGHHHH!!!!!!!

I still love the Canes.

[Northern Cane]

Is it me or does the offense look smoother (if thats possible) with Jacory?

Wow...we just got kicked around by an offense that was cutting edge in the 1930's

[Sarasota 'cane]

Well at least we sniffed the top 25 for 4 days. Back to irrelevance and being unranked.

Are we seriously looking at a 5-6 loss season???

WOW!

[canatic]

Look fellas, we're getting our behinds handed to us. Although it's unacceptable, it's understandable. I don't want to hear any fair weather fans coming on here blasting anybody. The guys on the field are doing their best. I just wish they would tackle better. I don't quite understand the defensive game plan. I don't see why we don't crowd the line of scrimmage by having 7 men in the box and constantly blitzing the QB and force GT to throw the ball. Hey, what do I know... I am just a fan from the outside looking in where I can see everything I would do as a coach.

Let's continue to support those kids and let them know we are behind them rooting/pulling for them.

[keyman]

Sarasota cane you hit the nail on the head!!!! This team was not prepared for anything but laying out on the beach!!!! These coaches need to go coach 10 yr olds!!!!

[Sarasota 'cane]

This type of game is a deal changer. I dont want to see any contracts being given out. Shannon gets next year to at least get to the ACC title game and if not can him and bring in a proven head coach with head coaching experience.

[Miami Sucks]

"Yep -- young fellas might've gotten to reading the papers and listening to ESPN's talking heads too much, thought they'd get handed the ACC title (what we're getting handed is our arses). Learning experience for the young ones, I hope. Nevertheless, go Canes."

More like the young fellas had somebody read the papers to them. Since when does Miami recruit players who can read and write? This isn't a learning experience. The only thing they know how to learn is how to measure out rocks and dime bags. Yeah, go Canes - go to hell!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Northern Cane]

Hey....the 4 horsemen called...they want their offense back

[UMfootball]

jacory clearly the better QB

[Jeff]

Sarasota, I'm giving Randy the rest of THIS season. This team quit tonight, and when a team quits, rarely do they get started for the rest of the season. If this team loses to NC State and then loses the bowl game, I clean house right freaking now. If this administration is serious about fielding a real football program, that's what'll happen. Otherwise, it's a statement that we're content being doormats for the rest of eternity.