Gameday blog: N.C. State 38, UM 28 (F)

MIAMI -- The Canes are in Raleigh today to face the red-hot Wolfpack and are minus leading receiver Aldarius Johnson, who was suspended for violating a team rule and did not make the trip. The Canes are obviously playing for a better bowl game today. But it's N.C. State who has a lot more to play for -- they need a win to look up a bowl trip.

I'm here at home preparing to go watch Frank Haith's team take on Stetson at 3:30 p.m. at the BankUnited Center. But I'll be along for the ride in Raleigh, providing my thoughts on the game as it progresses. Our Susan Miller Degnan is up there checking in with me and says the skies are dark and the stadium lights are on at Carter-Finley Stadium. Let's hope that doesn't set the tone for Randy Shannon's team, which obviously doesn't want to end what has been a good season with back-to-back losses before bowl season.

The key to the game today is simple...
> Stop Russell Wilson. Bobby Bowden called him the mother of all running backs. Miami has to redeem itself after its debacle in Atlanta last week.
> Remember, DeMarcus Van Dyke will get his first start today opposite freshman Brandon Harris, getting his first start in over a month, at cornerback.

FIRST HALF HIGHLIGHTS/THOUGHTS
> Derron Thomas starts the game in the backfield -- call it a senior deal. Miami's offense fizzles and goes three-and-out on its first drive. Should we be surprised? The good news: Matt Bosher gets off a 61-yard punt to pin N.C. State deep in its own territory.
> Russell Wilson has turned out to be everything we've heard he was. He absolutely shredded UM on the Wolfpack's opening drive and then tossed a touchdown pass to Andre Brown with 7:42 left. It capped a 96-yard scoring drive. I smell a lot of trouble for UM today. This could get real ugly. N.C. State 7, UM 0.
> Patrick Nix isn't helping his cause. Another 3-and-out for the Canes on their second possession. Robert Marve tried to go deep to Sam Shields and he couldn't come down with the catch. The ball actually was thrown well. Shields has to snatch that ball out of the air.
> The Canes finally get off the field on third down after DeMarcus Van Dyke bats a pass away on N.C. State's second series. You got to give UM's secondary a little credit. They are getting very little support from the pass rush. It's tough to cover guys for 10 seconds.
> Someone blew some major coverage for N.C. State and the Canes are happy to take advantage. Dedrick Epps finds himself wide open and makes a beautiful over-the-shoulder catch for a 69-yard catch-and-run from Robert Marve. And just like that, the game is tied with 3:50 left in the first quarter. UM 7, N.C. State 7.
> Brandon Harris has finally made his first real big play as a Cane. N.C. State tries to run a trick play having Andre Brown throw the football and Harris steps in front of a Wolfpack receiver and returns it 24 yards to the N.C. State 45. Big play for Brandon.
> Javarris James makes his first appearance of the game on 4th down and 1 and picks up the first down. Maybe someone finally heard your complaints! Until then, we'd been seeing Graig Cooper on short running situations. Here's the best stat Baby J has -- only one carry for negative yardage this season.
> Baby J takes three consecutive carries and his last -- a dive into the end zone -- puts UM up with 13:09 left. Javarris has 4 carries for 42 yards. UM 14, N.C. State 7.
> Shades of Donovan McNabb, Russell Wilson just ran circles quite literally around Miami's defense, scoring on a 29-yard touchdown run with 10:44 left. He looked like Michael Vick in John Madden football 2003. Amazing. Miami's defensive line missed at least four opportunities to get to him. UM 14, N.C. State 14.
> Jacory Harris comes in on the fourth series (as usual) and moves UM downfield. But then, he makes a bad decision, trying to force the ball into triple coverage to Richard Gordon and DeAndre Morgan caught the tipped pass in the end zone for an interception.
> Miami's defense finally makes a play when Marcus Forston sacks Wilson on third down and five. And then, Sam Shields -- who had been playing great -- crashes into N.C. State's punter, giving N.C. State a first down. Tough play. Shields was trying to make a play and instead of getting flagged for running into the kicker, he gets roughing.
> Another great play by Marcus Forston keeps N.C. State out of the end zone. Forston just gets enough of Wilson on third down to sack him and forces the Wolfpack to settle for a field goal with 1:47 left. N.C. State 17, UM 14.
> By the way, it looks like defensive end Marcus Robinson suffered a groin strain on the previous series.

SECOND HALF HIGHLIGHTS/THOUGHTS
> Miami's defense just can't get a handle on Russell Wilson. Now, all of his first half running has opened up the passing lanes. The Canes were lucky Marcus Forston and company were able to hold the Wolfpack to a field goal on their opening possession. N.C. State 20, UM 14.
> Javarris James scored his second touchdown of the game giving Miami its second lead of the game. The Hurricanes ran the ball six times on the seven-play scoring drive, sprinkling a little Baby J with a little Super Coop. UM 21, N.C. State 20.
> So much for that lead. N.C. State takes less than a minute to answer Miami's scoring drive as Wilson carves Brandon Harris and the secondary. N.C. State 28, UM 21.
> We keep forgetting how valuable Travis Benjamin is to the return game. Graig Cooper, Brandon Harris and company have done a good job filling in. But Benjamin is the game-breaker who can make the difference in a game like this.
> With 8:57 left to play N.C. State might have sealed this one up with a 42-yard field goal. Miami's last two possessions have gone nowhere and if the Canes don't score on this next possession, we're probably going to be headed to San Francisco next month for the Emerald Bowl.
> No Canes comeback today. Jacory Harris gets picked for the second time with 5:23 left and it basically seals the deal for N.C. State, which basically has to run out the clock to hold on for the victory.

Comments

[GOODBYE NIX ... AND SHANNON]

F'n Nix ... you get a big TO and you call a designed run?!?!?!?!?!?!

What an sss.

[irvinsappkosar]

Harris is still the better game manager and makes fewer mistakes. Marve is capable of throwing a touchdown one play and a pick six the next!

[GOODBYE NIX ... AND SHANNON]

*Designed run by the QB*

A note about the Raycom announcers ... they suck. The pxp guy has mis-identified at least three Miami players so far.

[caneznbama]

i gUess that since we tied it Up nix wants to win w/ fg's - he sUx

[green]

http://www.raycomsports.com/index.php/ACC/SEC-Information/acc-football-november-29.html

affiliates

[HM]

RYAN HILL WILL BE OUR BEST SAFTEY NEXT YEAR... THIS IS HIS FIRST YEAR PLAYING IT.... SO MANY HATERS!!

[Manny Navarro]

Here's the deal with the quarterbacks in my opinion...
Marve and Harris aren't guys who play in the short passing game. They've been guys who throw the ball downfield. When Marve has time to throw downfield -- I'm talking 8 yards or deeper -- he looks great. I think Patrick Nix simply has to get rid of that short passing game and use that wide receiver screen as a change of pace (not the main passing play). Marve and Harris set state records with their arms. They can throw the football. Let them hook up with their talented receivers downfield, where they can make plays.

[green]

Sweet Baby J ... 14-7

[GOODBYE NIX ... AND SHANNON]

Manny, great insight.

In other news, sky is blue, dirt is brown.

I'm not mocking you, just pointing out that your observation should be OBVIOUS!!!

How many plays can we count this season where the QB hit a WR in stride like Marve just hit Epps? Three? Four?

[HM]

I KNOW I'M IN THE MINORITY BUT I'VE SAID IT ALL YEAR... MARVE IS THE BETTER QB NOW & HAS THE MOST POTENTIAL. NOT TO TAKE ANYTHING FROM JACORY, CAUSE HE IS THE TRUTH, SMART, AGILE, AND ACCURATE... BUT U CAN'T COACH ARM STRENGTH!!

[Manny Navarro]

How many plays can we count this season where the QB hit a WR in stride like Marve just hit Epps? Three? Four? Posted by: GOODBYE NIX ... AND SHANNON | November 29, 2008 at 12:55 PM

A: How many times were those plays called? We've seen the deep pass maybe 20 times this year. I'm talking about the post pattern, the deep crossing route. We've seen that maybe 10 times. It seems to me Miami's entire offense for most of this season has taken place between the sticks. If you want to open up running lanes, take pressure off your quarterbacks, make that defense respect you. Miami hasn't done that enough.

[irvinsappkosar]

HM you mean Arm strength like Kyle Wright!!! Give me the better game manager and winner any day. Remember Ken Dorsey!

[SFCane]

That freshman WR looks bigger and faster than Glenn Cook

[HM]

If you want to open up running lanes, take pressure off your quarterbacks, make that defense respect you. Miami hasn't done that enough.

Posted by: Manny Navarro

WORD! THROWING DEEP LOOSENS UP THE D FOR THE RUN GAME. JUST LIKE PLAY ACTION OPENS UP THE PASS GAME... GOTTA HAVE BOTH

[green]

If you want to open up running lanes, take pressure off your quarterbacks, make that defense respect you. Miami hasn't done that enough.
-- manny navarro

whose fault is that?

GUESS WHO

[HM]

KYLE WRIGHT THREW DUCKS/WOBBLERS... MARVE THROWS PRETTY SPIRALS!!

[caneznbama]

pass rUsh please!!!!!

d.a. play by davis

[irvinsappkosar]

I could have made that pass to Epps he was wide open!! Your arguments for Marve ove Harris are unsubstantiated. Once again what has he done to deserve the starting job. As a Hurricane He had the same same amount of snaps as Harris last year 0! So you cant say he has more experience.

[green]

DISGUSTING ... 14-14

[caneznbama]

U have got 2 b fn kiddn me

[GOODBYE NIX ... AND SHANNON]

What a sad, sad display by the D-line.

[caneznbama]

why do we not pUt in arthUr brown or even the ball boy in glenn cook's place

[HM]

irvinsappkosar, TRYING TO WATCH THE GAME, BUT LET ME SET U STRAIGHT... 1) HAVING A YEAR IN THE SYSTEM TO LEARN THE OFFENSE GO'S A LONG WAY. 2) U COULD NOT OF MADE THAT THROW, THE BALL HIT EPPS RIGHT IN THE HANDS AND IN PERFECT STRIDE.
3) I NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT EXPERIENCE I SPOKE ON TALENT
4) ITS TIME TO WATCH THE GAME

[caneznbama]

we need that kicker on oUr defense - are we aearing cement shoes caUse we look slow - their is harris & gUess what nix is still an idiot

[Manny Navarro]

Jacory Harris throws two short passes and nets -2 yards. Jacory Harris throws downfield on third and 12 -- FIRST DOWN.

[irvinsappkosar]

My final argument for harris! Look at the Duke and Virginia games. If he does not come of the bench to bring us back after Marve played horrible we might not be bowl eligible. When have you ever heard of a true freshman rallying his team in hostile road envonments like that to get the win. Especially thwe 95 yard drive against virginia to force ot. I dont care how strong marve arm is he doesnt have the intangibles and moxie to pull of that victory period!!

[GOODBYE NIX ... AND SHANNON]

If Nix had a brain (he doesn't), he'd realize that good things happen when you involve the RBs and throw 10-20 patterns to the middle of the field. He calls sideline plays far too often.

[HM]

HARRIS THREW INTO TRIPLE COVERAGE!!!

[GOODBYE NIX ... AND SHANNON]

That play call didn't deserve the first down. Great effort by Coop.

[caneznbama]

pUt marve back in - stUpid pass caUse he was not anywhere close to being open

[caneznbama]

ABOUT TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HM]

PEOPLE GETTING IT TWISTED, CHECK UR READING COMPREHENSION... HARRIS IS GONNA BE A GREAT QB, HE'S A TRUE FRESHMAN AND IS 18. HARRIS NEEDS SOME WIEGHT ROOM WORK. MARVE IS STARTING FOR MANY REASONS, BUT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE. SHANNON AND NIX BELIEVE HE IS BETTER... NO MATTER WHAT U THINK OF THE COACHES THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT FOOTBALL THEN WE DO, AND THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT THE QB'S THAN WE DO...

[MCMXIV]

watching miami has become such a brutal, exquisite torture.

we recoil from momentum, be it in game or in season, like one of magic johnson's used condoms ...

brutal roughing the kicker pen.

[mra]

Man our D-Line needs some reinforcements, any recruits coming in to help?

Some of ya'll specially at the start f the game, need to chill the hell out. Knee jerk central up in here. Defense needs to tighten up, but Young usually does so in the 2nd half.

Jacory is silky smooth, bad decision to throw that last pass though. Sam Shields..ugh.

[HM]

3RD DOWN THE D NEEDS TO SPY THE QB... HE'S KILLING US

[mra]

Uh oh,Marcus Robinson down.

[caneznbama]

screw oUr defensive "scheme" & rUsh 3 since we are getting NO pressUre anyway & let's have 8 matador tacklers - OLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HM]

FORTSON!!

[MCMXIV]

i believe young will come up with what it takes to squash this offense ... we gotta take better angles though for any gp to work.
looks like we can move the ball in between between the 20's too. gotta get points.

[green]

SHANNON AND NIX BELIEVE HE IS BETTER... NO MATTER WHAT U THINK OF THE COACHES THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT FOOTBALL THEN WE DO, AND THEY KNOW MORE ABOUT THE QB'S THAN WE DO...

Posted by: HM | November 29, 2008 at 01:19 PM

surely you jest ...

MORTAL

[HM]

LOL.. green, I AM NOT A FAN OF NIX, HE HAS NOT EVEN COME CLOSE TO PROVING HIMSELF AS AN OC... BUT HE WAS PRETTY GOOD COLLEGE QB... THE FACT IS HE DOES KNOW MORE FOOTBALL THAN WE DO..

[HM]

PLAY CALLING LIKE THIS... AGGRAVATING... ATTEMPTING TO RUN OUT THE CLOCK WITH 1:45 AND DOWN 3= PLAYING SCARED!

MANNY, CAN U DISABLE THE CONFIRMATION CODE DURING GAME?

[Cportu]

ugh, quarterback draw??? off tackle run? So much for going for the win on the road. Pack it in and pray to only be down 3 at the half.

[buck]

WHY NIX, WHY? what is his fascination with the quarterback draw? I've seen it work once, early in the year. It loses yards every time. Who among you-Manny? has the power to convince WHY NIX, WHY? to get rid of that play.

[Cportu]

managed to burn a whole 24 seconds there. nice.

[caneznbama]

hm - speak for yoU
rself on nix knowing more than "we" - mayb U bUt not all of Us - he's @ it again w/ his DA play calling -

www.firepatricknix.com is still availableto be boUght for $1.99 (no thanks i will have extra toppings on my pizza instead)!!!!!!!

[caneznbama]

someone give jacory his clipboard back!!!!!!

[HM]

2 KEY PLAYS... HARRIS THROWING INTO TRIPLE COVERAGE IN THE ENDZONE... SHIELDS ROUGHING THE KICKER...

[mito]

unbelievable, man i am just f)ckin tired of this qb switching.. why in the hell would you take out marve the whole second quater while leading 14 to 7... you just take him out of sink like that.. big time mistake... im just tiredof this crap.. take him out when his not running the offense no where but not, when he is in sync on a such important game... pure stupid..

[caneznbama]

hold on i'm checking to c aboUt the statUs on www.firebillyoUng.com