Benjamin seeking consistency

If Jacory Harris was Batman for the Hurricanes in Tallahassee on Labor Day night, Travis Benjamin was most certainly Robin.

The 5-10, 175-pound sophomore was there every time his quarterback needed him. He hauled in a 39-yard touchdown pass on the opening series, then used his 4.2 speed to zoom past two FSU defenders and set up UM's winning touchdown by straddling the sideline with a 40-yard reception deep in Seminole territory. Benjamin finished with a team-leading four receptions for 128 yards as Harris connected with six receivers for gains of 20 yards or more on nine different plays.

UM coach Randy Shannon would love to see more of that Thursday against Georgia Tech, who blew a 24-point lead against Clemson and got shredded by speedy receiver Jacoby Ford. With leading receiver Aldarius Johnson (groin) expected out, Benjamin and Leonard Hankerson -- who had a breakout performance of his own -- will likely be counted on the most again to create big plays in the passing game.

Stringing together back-to-back big games, however, wasn't one of Benjamin's specialties as a freshman. After compiling 274 all-purpose yards against FSU last year, Benjamin rolled an ankle and became pretty irrelevant over UM's final five games. After catching four passes for 72 yards against Wake Forest, he caught three balls for 47 yards the rest of the year. Over that stretch, he had one punt return for one yard and returned six kicks -- none longer than 23 yards.

Benjamin said Monday it's important for to remain consistent in the Canes passing game. "Last year I would have a big game and then the next week I wouldn't have a big game,” Benjamin said. “This year I am looking forward to every time I get the ball in my hands to do something big with it.

“I am expecting to do more than what I did last year. I was just a special teams guy last year. This year they are using me more on offense because of my speed and ability to get open anywhere on the field.”

Benjamin said he felt he did a much better job against FSU coming off routes and looking the ball in, something he said he struggled with in the past. "Last year I would kind of hesitate on my routes," Benjamin said. "This year, I know what to do with my routes and I'm precise with it."

> MR. SERIOUS: TV sets probably portrayed Jacory Harris a little too serious as his teammates celebrated their win against Florida State. Turns out, as Harris told us Monday, he didn't want to celebrate until he knew the game was really over. When he knew it was over, after a brief review by officials, he joined the Canes party.

Cornerback Brandon Harris said Jacory cut loose in the Canes locker room a little more in the team's private post game celebration. But by the time the team was boarding it's chartered flight to return to Miami, UM's quarterback was Mr. Serious again. "That's what makes Jacory so special as a quarterback. He's never satisfied," Brandon said. "He always wants to strive for more. And he never cracks under the pressure."

UM'S D LOVETT'S HIM: Speaking of cutting loose, turns out new defensive coordinator John Lovett is pretty good at keeping his players on their toes through the week. When he isn't screaming in their ears for a laugh, he's jumping out and scaring them for fun.

"Coach Lovett is probably one of the funnest coaches I've ever played for. He's football smart. He knows his stuff and he has an amazing personality. But just being around Coach Lovett, you're guaranteed laughs and enjoyment everyday -- even when your down," Brandon Harris said. "He makes you have fun. It's hard to explain. You just have to know Coach Lovett. He'll hide in a dark area, jump out. He's just a fun guy. You don't see that from coordinators at the college level. He's very relaxed. A lot of the guys, they respond well to him."

We'll find out soon enough if Lovett has something scary looking for Georgia Tech's triple option offense. Word is a lot of what North Carolina ran to stump the Yellow Jackets last year has been included in the game plan.

WOUNDED WIRE: The Canes are supposed to release their upper extremity/lower extremity injury report in a day or two. While we're waiting, here's what I heard late Monday night regarding two players of interest:

> A Canes source said cornerback Demarcus Van Dyke remained hopeful to be cleared to play this week after suffering a concussion on the opening series against Florida State. Chances are, however, he won't and Sam Shields will start in his place.

> A non-UM source told me defensive end Adewale Ojomo is expecting to have the wires keeping his broken jaw shut removed in the next week. Ojomo was at a big South Florida Youth Football League game this past weekend (Scott Lake vs. Bunche Park) featuring the younger brother of linebacker Sean Spence with several other Hurricanes players. Ojomo, noticeably thinner, told friends he's lost more than 30 pounds since he was sucker punched by a UM walk-on during camp. But he remains hopeful to return to the Canes in time for the Oklahoma game on Oct. 3.

Comments

[the swag is back]

yeah baby.

Does anyone know what the TV rating was for the
ND-Michigan
USC_OSu games this past weekend?

[Daryel]

travis is the next santana moss you the man ... go canes

[bfbrinkley]

Out of curiosity...has anyone seen how well Lane Kiffin is recruiting? I just looked at his verbal list and he's got at least 6 players from Miami (and all 3 stars or higher).

[Cat5Cane]

Thanks Manny... Good stuff.

With One under their belt... both Whipple and Lovett are holding a perfect record... Of the two, I think Lovett has the bigger challenge of getting our guys ready to face GT but it takes two to win the game. I don't expect to shut down the Jackets but if Lovett can slow them down and let Whipple, Jacory and Company do their thang... count on another win!

Canes 40... Jackets 27
Jacory with 370 yards and 4 TD's

Congrats Randy... On your first win of the season!... here's hoping it's the first step of a long run with 47 to go, to beat USC

Canes...

[718]

Two days till 2-0!

[Canesjunkie]

Hopefully Sam Shields has another good game against Tech.

We have to be able to run in order to pass against these guys. Randy Shannon seems to have the right idea about scoring early and often and making Tech pass the ball.

I think it gets ugly and we whip these guys. Finally!!!

[green]

Does anyone know what the TV rating was for the
ND-Michigan
USC_OSu games this past weekend?

Posted by: the swag is back | September 15, 2009 at 06:28 AM

5.6
7.2

PRELIMINARY

[green]

5 of ESPN’s all-time telecasts involve U …

U v. f$u '94
U v. vatech '05
U v. f$u '06
U v. fu '08
U v. f$u '09

COMMON DENOMINATOR

[green]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/content/sports/epaper/2009/09/14/0914miami.html

Jacory Harris is a popular man on the University of Miami campus these days.
The sophomore quarterback is stopped so often following his sensational performance in the Hurricanes' 38-34 season-opening win against Florida State on Labor Day night that he has to remind fellow students:
"I have to get to class."
-- jorge milian

THE MAN

[d]

your vs. you're

[SammyNole]

Cat5Cane

Dumbest prediction ever. There will no more than 45,000 there to watch the canes get crushed.

[Rawpimle]

I'm sorry for my harsh words, just having a bad day!

Hug's and Kisses,

Mr. Pimple

[Rawpimple]

Got to go, I'm late for my male Yoga class. Tebow is going to be there, I need to make sure I'm behind him.

[ChicagoCane]

Manny,

Is Ojomo losing muscle weight or fat weight? I don't see why he can't be lifting with a wired jaw, but eating could be an issue. I hope he's keeping on the muscle so he can get back quickly. We have no more bye weeks so we'll need the depth towards the end even as the schedule gets easier.

No quoting Milian on this blog! I'm pretty sure that guy cuts and pastes from Manny's blog anyway.

[green]

There will no more than 45,000 there to watch the canes get crushed.

Posted by: SammyNole | September 15, 2009 at 09:11 AM

assuming your dire prediction comes to fruition ; )
still 10 times what the marlins normally draw …

UNDERESTIMATE

[green]

No quoting Milian on this blog! I'm pretty sure that guy cuts and pastes from Manny's blog anyway.

Posted by: ChicagoCane | September 15, 2009 at 09:32 AM

ME GUSTA

[Fun Facts!]

Actually Landshark already sold 60k seats to UM fans, so you add GT's fans and it should be around 65k or more!

[Caneiac]

Manny,

Has Shields passed Grant on the depth chart at CB or is Grant playing safety instead? If so, is that b/c he is turning out to be a good safety or b/c VT is injured or other guys are cutting it? Please explain that situation to me.

[GO CANES 07]

There will no more than 45,000 there to watch the canes get crushed.

Posted by: SammyNole | September 15, 2009 at 09:11 AM

Haha...bitter much Mr. Nole? Lost to the 'Canes!!! and almost lost to Jacksonville State?! Dude...get a life! The noles suck!

Step up D! Tackle and stick to your assignments, and we got this game! GO 'CANES!!!!

[Manny Navarro]

FYI... all audio clips are available here.
www.miamiherald.com/907/

[Manny Navarro]

Q: Is Ojomo losing muscle weight or fat weight? I don't see why he can't be lifting with a wired jaw, but eating could be an issue. I hope he's keeping on the muscle so he can get back quickly. We have no more bye weeks so we'll need the depth towards the end even as the schedule gets easier. Posted by: ChicagoCane | September 15, 2009 at 09:32 AM

A: I'm sure it's both ChicagoCane. I was told Ojomo said he hasn't been able to lift because the amount of pain in his jaw. He's eating through a straw. Honestly, he may want to return for the Oklahoma game, but most football people I speak to say they'd be shocked if he came back this season. Those 30 pounds are what he put on with conditioning and training. That took months. Probably better off if this was just a medical redshirt season.

[Canesjunkie]

I say we play the guy who hit Ojomo...let him at least get in on specials.

[VT Fan]

UM is going down faster than a cheap hooker in Vegas. Book it, GT is going to expose UM for the fraud they are.

[UM Cane]

I think alot of us are getting ahead of ourselves caliming we are going to dominante or go 2-0 autmatically. GT has one heck of a coach, and has been there before. I think we need to settle down, and let the playmakers do the talking. We dont want to embarrase ourselves.

[Not a VT Fan]

UM is going down faster than a cheap hooker in Vegas. Book it, GT is going to expose UM for the fraud they are.

Posted by: VT Fan | September 15, 2009 at 12:39 PM

LOL. Just like VT always is, right?

[miamihurricane34]

Hey Manny,

You mentioned the Hurricanes bording their charter plane. I thought there was a big deal made that we were being bussed to that game and UCF and USF. Was I wrong, are we only being bussed to those two other games, or are they not using buses at all?

[Not a VT Fan]

I like guys!

[green]

There will no more than 45,000 there to watch the canes get crushed.

Posted by: SammyNole | September 15, 2009 at 09:11 AM

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/marlins/2009/09/13/gaby-sanchez-a-big-hit-with-hurricanes-fans-in-marlins-win/

Gaby Sanchez could not have picked a better night for his career highlight.
The former University of Miami star belted his first career home run on a night dedicated to his alma mater, helping the Marlins to an 11-3 victory before 38,214 at Land Shark Stadium.

The attendance, the third largest of the season and the largest for a game in which a team from New York was not the opponent, was spiked by 18,500 Hurricanes fans on University of Miami night
-- tom d’angelo

HELPING HAND

[slim32]

RICHARD GORDON IS PROBABLY OUT THIS GAME. FOR ALL THAT DONT READ BETWEEN THE LINES... ITS HUGE!! (might be worth mentioning)

[Carol City Cane]

New Hurricane Commitment per Canesport.com, Andrew Tallman of Boston College Prep High in Massachusetts, ATH/OT/TE/DE. Good to see even though were handling business on the football field were also picking up quality recruits. Here's a little youtube highlight of our new commitment. Go Canes!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_OJP2KwQGU

[dencane]

Eating is the issue. It doesn't matter how hard you workout, if you can't eat right (lots of protein), you will not be able to keep on good weight.

[Miami Bob]

Well one down and GT next. I like Miami, at home. GT can be had at least I hope. I like our D against the run. I see lot going for Miami, especialy a Thur night game at home and if they are going to make a run< Thur night will make a lot of people take notice.
We are back
Miami Bob

[imyahuckleberri]

Think imma start going to all the opposing teams blog sites like they do us. Two more days until kickoff. They posted a story about the U taking GT lightly cause of the win versus FSU. Nesbitt can't throw in the clutch. If we score we win easily. Imma predict a bigger win then we expect.

[FEAR DA U]

Dumbest prediction ever. There will no more than 45,000 there to watch the canes get crushed.

Posted by: SammyNole | September 15, 2009 at 09:11 AM

Wow, another FSU fan on a UM blog. Newsflash U lost to DA U! Also, DA U has already sold 60k tickets. Plus GT's 5-7k tickets minus the 9k seats being tarped over in the 400 level corners and that equals a PACKED HOUSE MY FRIEND! THE DEFENSE WILL BE FLYING AROUND WITH VAUGHN T AND MONCUR BACK IN THE LINEUP! WHEN WE GET A 14 POINT LEAD IN THE FIRST QUARTER AND GT HAS TO THROW IT IS OVER AND THEY WILL GET ROUTED JUST LIKE THEY DID IN THE BOWL GAME VERSUS LSU! ITS OVER WHEN THE CANES RUN THROUGH THE SMOKE BABY! AHHHHHH! AHHHHHH! AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! C - A - N - E - S CANESSS!!!!!!

[RICK TRUTH SPEAKER]

WHILE I THINK OUR OFFENSE MAY RUN INTO SOME PROBLEMS(MAYBE) TRYING TO RUN AGAINST G. TECH. I THINK "ICE" WITH HIS RECIEVERS CAN EXPLOIT G. TECH AND I FEEL "ICE" IS GOING TO HAVE A BIG NIGHT PASSING THE BALL. WE DO HAVE OUR HANDS FULL WITH THEIR TRIPLE OPTION IT IS A THING OF BEAUTY, BUT WE'LL TURN IT INTO A BEAST. PSALMS 100

[HURRICANE JOHN]

At the beginning of the season , I thought Canes go 3-1 losing to OKla. But, after watching last week's game and seeing the speed and SWAGGER back and OKLA comes in hurt . If canes beat GT ,VT is doable away. And we will thump OKLA. GO Canes!

[Chanel Handbags]

IT IS hard to look at the Capitol in Washington, DC, without a frisson of excitement