Eye on the U

Hurricanes' women's tennis continues to flourish as coaches, freshman win ITA awards

The UM women's tennis team, ranked sixth in the nation, will meet No. 11 Northwestern at 6 p.m. Friday in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA National Championships in Urbana, Ill.

It's the eighth consecutive season that the Canes have advanced to the Round of 16.

On Tuesday, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced its regional award winners, and UM coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews -- already inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame -- earned Coach of the Year for the Southeast Region.

Hurricanes assistant Alex Santos earned Assistant Coach of the Year for the Southeast Region.

And freshman Stephanie Wagner, UM's No. 1 player, earned Rookie of the Year.

All three will be eligible for the same awards on the national level.

Yaroshuk-Tews' teams are always top-notch, and this one is no different. What's especially gratifying is that all eight players will return next season.

"If we don't get to the final 16 I'm not happy,'' Yaroshuk-Tews said Tuesday. "I make that known with my staff. ...To get to the Sweet 16 is tough and it's grueling, but with this talent, this is where they should be.''

The coach said her players' goal at the beginning of the season was to get at least to the semifinal of this year's nationals. Last year they lost to Florida in the quarters.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

 

Larranaga lands commitment from one of nation's top centers: Champagnat's Tonye Jekiri

Tonye Jekiri, a 6-10, 220-pound senior center at Hialeah Champagnat, committed to the University of Miami on Monday morning, giving new Hurricanes coach Jim Larranaga a big man for the future he sorely needs.

Jekiri moved to South Florida from Nigeria in Sept. 2010 and hasn't been playing basketball very long according to Champagnat coach Danny Serrano.

"But he's got a huge upside," Serrano said. "From the minute that school started I was getting phone calls from Miami, Virginia Tech, Clemson, George Mason, Alabama, Florida State, Auburn -- name it they were all after him.

"He's a legit 6-10, but a gazelle. I think this is his fourth year of playing organized basketball, but he's come an unbelievable ways and still has an unbelievable upside. That's why these schools have been so desperate to get him. Apparently, though, his visit with Miami over the weekend was so good he verbally committed."

Jekiri averaged 10 points and 14 rebounds last season.

"He's just so quick. He runs like a guard," Serrano said. "He's such an imposing figure under the basket defensively. He's real good on the help side. Offensively, he has nice a 10- to 12-foot midrange shot. He can play with his back to the basket or facing the basket. But his gift is how well he runs the floor."

Jekiri played for Florida's Team Breakdown (AAU) over the summer. That's where Serrano said he made his biggest strides.

Jekiri, rated the 17th-best center in the country by ESPN.com, is the second player Larranaga has gained a commitment from for the 2012 season. UM also received a commitment from Bronx (N.Y.) St. Benedict's Prep shooting guard Melvin Johnson (6-3, 175). Johnson is rated by ESPN.com as the 44th-best shooting guard in the country in 2012.

Friday night: Jacory's arm went numb but should be "OK", and Golden's overall assessment

Here's what I transcribed from Al Golden's teleconference this evening:

 

How is Jacory doing?

I think he’s doing OK. What happened on that play was he took a shot to the upper biceps. I don’t know if he hit a nerve or something but his arm went completely numb on him for the last two plays. But I think he’s OK.

 

So he can practice pretty much fully once that starts?  

 Yes.

You said you wanted more efficiency in the running game on first and second downs to avoid third-and-long. What are you seeing right now that’s causing the problem?

Some of the issues are we had a couple false starts in the game and you get behind the 8-ball there. There are a lot of things we have to improve. No. 1 is our blocking and No. 2 is Lamar has just got to hit singles. He’s got to hit it up in there. We’re dancing a little bit too much. Maybe we’re trying to do too much at running back but we’ve got to just press it a little bit more, trust the scheme and trust the blocking. Right now we’re trying to do too much with the running game

Is Lamar’s shoulder OK?

  I think he’s OK. I don’t know what he did on the third-and-[3] and fourth-and-[2] plays. He came out of the game and he got banged up in some capacity and came out of the game. But everything I’m seeing on the injury report is that he’ll be OK.

How did the defense do generally?

Ultimately when you give up those kind of ex plays that we gave up it’s hard to overcome. When you get something for nothing it makes it really, really hard. Clearly we didn’t get enough pressure on Rocco, the Va. Quarterback; We didn’t do a good enough job getting off the field on third down, they had the ball the entire third quarter;  we have to do a better job getting off the field there. The explosive plays were just too much to overcome, really was. That part of it was disappointed. I was disappointed in our tackling and I was disappointed in the ex plays we gave up. Another thing is we had a fake field goal that led to points and we have a roughing the punter that leads to point and then we have a late hit on the quarterback that leads to points. Those are hard to overcome, too.

 In the four games you lost you only forced two turnovers and five sacks. How big of a factor is that?

  I’ve been saying it all along. I don’t pull any punches on who we are right now, especially on defense. If we don’t take the ball away, play really good red-zone defense and get off the field on third down, it’s going to be hard for us to win.  We’re trying to build, we’re trying to grow, were trying to move forward, but if we don’t take the ball away it makes it really hard right now.

 Again, just disappointed in the overall play of the team, not just the defense, the overall play, and that falls on me.

 Lamar has a heavier workload than last year, with a third of the season to go. Is it getting to him?

 I think that’s fair but if you recall I said he really didn’t start understanding or appreciating or recognizing how important it is to be in incredible condition as an elite tailback until after spring ball. You’re not talking about somebody who has been working out on an elite level in the offseason for two or three years. You’re talking about really May, June, July and August. It served him really well. I’m glad he made that approach, but I’m certain now he understands what we’re talking about in terms of your body being your biggest investment especially at running back and the things he needs to do to prepare himself for that.

 I’m concerned about everybody’s health. It’s seven straight games and then a short week. I was concerned about it. I was concerned about transitioning from Georgia Tech to Virginia and concerned about our health and our fatigue.

 The final long touchdown play for Va, it seemed like Jimmy Gaines was one-on-one, was he supposed to get help on top?

  If we don’t get pressure on quarterback it’s hard for anybody to hold up there, let alone Jimmy. They really had a great call on there but we didn’t get any pressure, we didn’t get anybody in the quarterback’s face and the longer that play goes the harder it is for Jimmy or any safety to defend. That was a tough one.We had a blown assignment on the screen that went for one and a clearly we had a safety out of position on the pitch pass so three explosive plays and hard to overcome them. (8:40)

 

When you looked at the play, did it appear to you that Olivier got blocked into the quarterback?

  I don’t see the TV copy so obviously you start to hear somebody saying this or what perception and reality is. We watched the tape and on the sideline view (Olivier) he clearly got blocked and pushed from behind, No. 1. And No. 2 you can clearly see him trying to turn his upfield shoulder at the last second and there’s actually probably a half yard between his helmet and the young man’s knee. So I was convinced that it was not intentional and I wanted to make sure we did our due diligence here. I brought him in and reviewed it with him and I’m confident that there was no intent there but Olivier does play hard. He made a hard turn to the quarterback and he did tell me he was trying to avoid him up high because he could see the kid start his windup. But I do know there was a push in the back. I know there was an attempt by Olivier not to go for the kid’s knee with his head gear. That was clear. If that is portrayed differently or if there’s an angle that shows differently I’ll have to examine that.

 We know you’re focused on process but do you worry how this team holds it together with long ACC odds and throughout the last third of the season?

  don’t because it’s Year One. We’re trying to fix long term problems in the short term and that’s the challenge of our staff and for me as the head coach and for this team. There’s still so much to play for and we are playing a lot of young guys mixed in with the veterans. We need the seniors to continue to lead and stay focused and improve, and obviously they are. Sean Spence is playing well, [Jordan] Futch is probably playing the best football of his career, I think Jacory obviously played well yesterday, Travis Benjamin, Harland Gunn, Tyler Horn. So, a lot of the seniors are stepping up for us and playing well. We just need some of the young guys to step up and understand, we have a long way to go. We’re not where we want to be yet. We fight back, we don’t quit, we’re competitive but we’re not consistent, and that’s what gnawing at me today. I want to build a team that is consistent every day, that practices consistently, that has the same approach and plays the same way. There were too many lulls in that game for us to be consistent.

 How much does two extra days of treatment when you’ve gone seven straight?

It’s huge. We’re not doing anything with them at all Friday, Saturday, Sunday. They’ll just take care of academics and get rested. I was nervous going into the game. I knew we were going to face a downhill running attack with two really good running backs, a big offensive line. I was concerned how we came out of the Georgia Tech game. I was hoping and praying we’d be able to hang in there and get some stops. But clearly we gave them explosive plays, we miss a field goal, we fumble on the 12 and we miss a fourth-and-1 on the 13 and that’s the difference in the game despite all the easy plays that we gave them. 

 Could you assess the plays of the safeties and the cornerbacks?

 

At safety we’re not where we need to be. Clearly JoJo [Nicolas] is playing the best for us there. He has been consistent both in his ability to operate the defense and the way he’s playing and leading. We’re not disciplined enough and we keep giving up explosive plays on the back end – the pitch pass for one. We had a blown assignment in the secondary on the screen. I believe it was the first quarter that scored  a touchdown. We’re not consistent enough there and obviously we need to improve. Our tackling is inconsistent as well. At times Vaughn [Telemaque] and Ray [Armstrong] really tackled well, but there’s still too many times where we don’t execute the way we need to.

At cornerback?

We’ve got to get [Brandon] McGee over the hump now. He’s doing so many things better. He’s becoming more reliable. He’s just got to become to the point where he’s dependable and frees it up and starts to make some big plays for us, some interceptions, or some big tackles, or some caused fumbles. Those types of things. He’s maturing, he’s improving but we really need him to finish strong here in this final stretch an clearly we need from Mike Williams, we need more from [Thomas] Finney and we need more from [Lee] Chambers at this point in time.

Duke is ranked 22^nd nationally in passing offense. They have two big-play threats, in  Vernon and Varner, from Miami. How concerned are you with that?

 I’m concerned about everything. My focus here today and tomorrow will be making sure we’re taking care of the things that we need to take care of on our end.  I’ve watched all three phases of Duke here today. But our attention will go squarely on Duke on Sunday. I’m concerned about it all. I’m concerned about every team we play. I’m mostly concerned about making sure we have a team that adheres to the preparation, the process and understands what it means to be consistent and play consistently game in and game out. We have not done it yet. We just have not. That was the challenge for the team this week and we didn’t bring all three phases for four quarters and that’s why we end up on the 8-yard line and falling short just by a little bit again.

 Are their spirits down?

 I hope they’re down right now. I do. I hope they feel badly. That’s the kind of culture we want. We want it to hurt. We don’t want it to be easy to lose. WE don’t want that .500 mentality where it’s OK to lose. We did too many things in that game.. we don’t miss a field goal or we don’t fumble on the 12-yard line clearly the game is different. We’re kicking a field goal to win. The same thing with the fake field goal and roughing the punter. We go from having a chance for an ex play blocked punt to roughing the punter and giving them a first down and points. We’re just trying to develop consistency and that starts with my approach to staff and we want that from the team as well.

 

The offensive line play?

I would say that [Harland] Gunn, [Tyler] Horn and [Brandon] Linder played really well. Seantrel [Henderson], that was probably the most he’s played – I think it was 43 reps. That was the first time he got back to kind of a normal game for him. Not full game, but probably three quarters. But we gave up three sacks and we just didn’t block as well as we need to block. It’s not just the O-line, it’s the tight ends and running backs hitting their aim points and getting positive yards.

 When you look at last night’s loss, do you look at it as a setback for the program or is it part of the growth process and the big picture?

 It’s part of the growth process. I’m not even going to deny that. I’m disappointed but I’m not discouraged. We’re just not consistent right now. We understand the impact that penalties and mental errors and special teams have on the game last week and we protect the ball and keep our penalties down and do a really good job on special teams.  And then we turn around this week. I’m trying to develop a consistent team here. I don’t know if they don’t know how to handle success right now. In a short week we were just trying to keep them fresh and develop some momentum and just keep them focused on the process but I just didn’t do a good enough job. I just did not do a good enough job. We just had too many mental breakdowns in that game to win.

    SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

Gaines talks winning TD play; Jacory said he'll be ready for Duke & other UM post-game notes

SUN LIFE STADIUM -- The mediocrity continues.

The Miami Hurricanes (4-4, 2-3 ACC play) still haven't won three games in a row since Oct. 2009 and they've got nobody to blame but themselves. Dumb penalties, blown coverages and an inability to execute when it mattered -- the same old losing recipe -- is what hurt them in Thursday's 28-21 loss to Virginia.

Here is some of what we learned post-game:

> Linebacker Jimmy Gaines, beaten on the game-winning 78-yard touchdown pass from Michael Rocco to Perry Jones, said he thought he had safety help in coverage and said that's why he lunged for the ball. Of course, Gaines didn't and Jones ran untouched into the end zone.

"Every play is full of one-on-one battles. On that play, I didn't win mine," Gaines said. "I didn't win the battle. I was hoping somebody was back there. I was just trying to make the play and I didn't. I have to make sure I use the proper technique, get him on the ground."

Of course, it would have been nice if somebody else -- say Vaughn Telemaque or Ray-Ray Armstrong -- were around. But they weren't.

> Quarterback Jacory Harris wasn't on the field for the final plays of the game. Although Al Golden said Harris has been "banged up" for a few weeks and needs rest, Harris said he'll be back for Duke. He finished 21 of 30 for 311 yards and three touchdowns and was sacked three times.

" I'm cool. No matter what you'll still see me on the field," Harris said. "Broken leg, whatever it is, I'll be there. Been doing it my whole career.

> Since climbing to as high as the third-leading rusher in the country (135.4 yards per game) on Oct. 9, North Carolina, Georgia Tech and Virginia have made it a point to try and take Lamar Miller (5-11, 212-pound redshirt sophomore) out of UM's offense. They've stacked the box with eight and nine man fronts, forcing quarterback Jacory Harris to try and beat them instead.

Although Miller had 93 yards on 27 carries and a touchdown Georgia Tech, he's been held to just 3.2 yards per carry over his last three games -- a total of 192 yards on 59 carries. Al Golden said that's not good enough.

"We have to examine the whole thing," Golden said. "I'm not going to sit up here and say it's one guy. We're just not running the ball as effectively as we need to and we're not staying on track on first and second down efficiency."

Harris said it's up to the passing game to make plays. "When teams stack the box we have the passing game open and I guess we don't enough there to win the game," Harris said. "I guess we have to step it up passing wise because teams are going to sell out."

> Receiver Tommy Streeter had a career-high seven catches for 176 yards and two touchdowns including an amazing 51-yard TD grab between two defenders.

"I just trusted him," Harris said. "I knew he would make the play. He basically had one guy underneath him and the other guy was just one-on-one with. So I said I'm just going to trust him to make the play. We needed something to spark us and fuel us to go forward. That was our momentum."

> UM, penalized just four times in their previous two wins, was flagged five times for 51 yards. The big dumb ones -- roughing the passer on Olivier Vernon on and incomplete pass on third down (Virginia scored its second TD three plays later) and a roughing the kicker penalty in the third quarter (Virginia missed a field goal, but ran 10 more plays after it).

"Clearly we had some penalties that were just absurd," Golden said. "We can't have those penalties and the mental breakdowns we did. The blocked field goal too. We weren't sharp and we didn't execute and that starts with me, period."

Gameday blog: Virginia at UM

SUN LIFE STADIUM -- The Miami Hurricanes (4-3, 2-2 ACC) play host to the Virginia Cavaliers (4-3, 1-2 ACC) in an 8 p.m. kickoff Thursday night, a game that will be televised nationwide on ESPN. UM is coming off back-to-back wins at North Carolina and at home against previously 20th-ranked Georgia Tech. Virginia knocked off the Yellow Jackets on 24-21 on Oct. 15, but lost last week at home to N.C. State 28-14. The Cavaliers knocked UM off last year 24-19 in Charlottesville. 

> ABOUT THE CAVALIERS: The Cavaliers own one of the best pass defenses in the country, ranking 12th nationally (176.00 yards per game). They also 19th in total defense (314.29) while allowing just 23 points per game. While Virginia doesn't necessarily create a ton of pressure on opposing quarterbacks (10 sacks in 7 games), they are very good in coverage and in creating picks (8 INTs). UM has thrown 7 INTs in its last three meetings against Virginia. Freshman cornerback Demetrius Nicholson and senior Chase Minnifield each have two so far this season. Minnifield has 12 in his career (3rd most actively in FBS). Offensively, Virginia is a run-first team, ranking 34th nationally with 183.43 yards per game on the ground. Junior tailback Perry Jones (5-8, 185) has 576 yards on 113 carries and two touchdowns, but freshman Kevin Parks (5-8, 195) is the guy they like to use near the end zone. He's has seven touchdowns and 386 yards rushing on 74 attempts. If Virginia does decide to pass, UM should be looking to cover Kevin Burd (34 catches, 447 yards, 0 TDs) and going for picks. Freshman quarterback Michael Rocco has thrown eight interceptions in seven starts and just four touchdown passes. His backup, David Watford (6-1, 190) has thrown four INTs himself. Kicker Justin Moore has been unreliable this season going 4-for-8 on field goal attempts with a long of 40 yards and two blocked kicks.

> WHAT TO WATCH FOR WHEN IT COMES TO THE CANES: UM is 15-2 all-time on Thursday night games, but hasn't won three games in a row since it beat Oklahoma, Florida A&M and UCF in Oct. 2009. Starting right tackle Jonathan Feliciano (left ankle) will miss his first start in six games and will be replaced by Malcolm Bunche, who will get his first start of the season and share time with Seantrel Henderson. Aside from that injury, the Canes are getting healthier and deeper. Defensive tackle Micanor Regis is back from his suspension and will backup Darius Smith. Defensive end Olivier Vernon (1 tackle vs. Georgia Tech) figures to see more playing time in his second game back from an NCAA-mandated suspension. Lamar Miller, once fourth in the nation rushing, has slipped to 14th nationally after rushing for just 2.8 yards a carry (122 yards, 43 attempts) over his last two games faces another decent run defense this week (49th, 138.29 yards per game). Jacory Harris has thrown just one interception over his last 18 quarters.

> MANNY'S PREDICTION: Canes 31, Virginia 17. I'm 5-2 picking the Canes this season (Georgia Tech, Kansas State were my losses). Last week, though, I was way off and pleasantly surprised to see the Canes come around and play as good on defense as they did. Virginia isn't a good team on paper. They pounded William & Mary 40-3, won at Indiana by 3, needed overtime to beat Idaho at home and were beaten by double-digit points in both of their ACC losses (North Carolina, N.C. State). Canes should roll here. But I'm apprehensive to pick a blowout based on the fact this is a short week and Virginia's defense isn't so bad. What will kill the Cavaliers in the end is quarterback play (12 INTs in 7 games). UM will score a defensive touchdown this week (my money is on a freshman) and make enough defensive stops in the second half to feel pretty good about themselves. But I could see this being close for a half.

FYI, No Cover It Live this week since I'll be on a late night deadline. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Follow me on Twitter at Manny_Navarro.

D'Onofrio says Canes are finding more guys on defense that can execute

CORAL GABLES -- UM defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio didn't have a great first half. But he started the second half of the season with a bang -- shutting down one of the nation's most potent rushing attacks and scoring offenses in Georgia Tech on Saturday.

He called the team's defensive performance against the Yellow Jackets "gratifying." While he said he didn't care ultimately how many yards Georgia Tech ran for, his goal was to eliminate "the explosive plays," "cheap touchdowns," and "make them drive." Georgia Tech's longest run from scrimmage was 11 yards. The Yellow Jackets' longest pass was 17 yards. So, mission accomplished.

"We tackled really well -- at the 90 percentage, which is our goal, which isn't easy. That's the second time we did that (Ohio State was the other)," D'Onofrio said.

"The biggest thing I took away from that game was how hard we played, our finish grade. This is the game where we had our least amount of loafs -- where guys weren't running to the ball hard. We finished plays with toughness and we tackled well. Those two things are indicative of what type of defense you have. You can throw everything else out the window if you can control those things and those are things you control. No penalties, finish and tackle well. Those are prerequisites. Those core things we've been trying to dictate since we got here. Those showed up Saturday."

D'Onofrio said he put Sean Spence at middle linebacker in part because he wanted him to be able to cover both sides of the field. "[Denzel] Perryman was playing the strongside and Jimmy [Gaines] played weak. I was trying to get a faster lineup out there based on what they did in the perimeter," he said.

"If you look at the stat line and you look at the amount of guys who got snaps in the game, a lot of starters didn't have to play 60-70 plays, they played 40 plays become somebody got in behind them and played 20. That's why we played fresh and why I think we played at that high finish level. The more guys we can play that can execute, the better off we're going to be."

MORE TIDBITS

> UM coach Al Golden wasn't happy starting right tackle Jonathan Feliciano injured himself Saturday celebrating Lamar Miller's 14-yard touchdown run right before the half. But he isn't about to start teaching his guys how to party after a touchdown either.

"If I got to coach the celebration now, we're in trouble," Golden joked. "We should have a no air policy for our offensive linemen."

Feliciano remains doubtful for Thursday's game against Virginia in Golden's words. Feliciano is wearing a boot on his left foot. He was injured after leaping up and landing awkwardly on a teammate. Tight end Chase Ford was apparently Feliciano's intended target of a chest bump that never happened.

"That was scary," quarterback Jacory Harris said. "I was actually running in the end zone with Mongo and Seantrel [Henderson] right next to me. And I see [Feliciano] go up in the air and come down, so I thought he tripped. And me and Seantrel are trying to pick him up and we just hear him saying `Ahh!' We got scared, but he'll be okay. I'm pretty sure he'll fight through it."

> Golden seemed pretty happy junior Darius Smith played well enough Saturday to possibly knock Micanor Regis out of a starting job. "You can create competition, but when other guys see it on film, that's real competition," Golden said. "Darius is going to be tough to supplant in there now. He's going to compete."

As for the state of his defensive line, consider Golden a happy camper now that there are more healthy and able bodies around. "We're as deep right now as we have been since Aug. 13 or 14," he said.

> The reason Ray-Ray Armstrong hasn't taken the safety job totally away from JoJo Nicolas is because he's still taking too many chances.

"I think he's progressed," D'Onofrio said of Armstrong. "I think he's practicing better. I think he's more confident back there. But the biggest thing right now is not trying to do too much. He's a guy who has playmaking ability, but we keep trying to preach the plays will come. Guys got a chance to make plays by doing their job, letting plays come to them. Everybody shines when that happens -- not when guys try to go out of their way to make a play or go outside of what their job description is on that play. That's really what we need from Ray."

> The reason we didn't see more of freshmen Olsen Pierre at defensive tackle before he provided two tackles Saturday? Apparently, a bum ankle.

"He's kind of been nursing it all the way through," D'Onofrio said. "We really haven't seen him play up to his capability. What we saw on Saturday was a little glimpse of what he could do. He played with a better pad level, played with a better get-off, played with a better motor. He took some steps in that regard."

Barrow on Spence: "What Peyton Manning is to the Colts, that's what he is for us"

CORAL GABLES -- After helping shut down one of the nation's most potent rushing attacks Saturday, Sean Spence was rewarded Monday with his third ACC Linebacker Of The Week Award.

Spence racked up 10 tackles including six solo stops and a tackle for a loss of two yards against Georgia Tech while starting and finished at middle linebacker for the first time in his career.

Spence has been the anchor of the Canes' defense all season and has amassed 65 total tackles (10th nationally), 9.5 tackles for loss (seventh nationally) for 35 yards, three sacks for 23 yards and a forced fumble. And in the eyes of his coaches and teammates -- just someone UM couldn't survive without.

"He's the best linebacker in college football, bar none," said UM linebackers coach Micheal Barrow. "He's a guy that is so coachable, so instinctive, he's a leader of this team. He's a guy that anything I tell him to do he tries to do it. Last week I challenged him to try to knock guys back. So he spent all day Saturday doing that.

"He's having a great year not only at [weakside] but at [middle]. He don't complain. He just gets it done. He is what Peyton Manning is to the Colts, that's what he is for us. He has that type of smarts, that type of athleticism. He's a guy that is consistent everyday. I could be like Don King all day talking about him. It's unreal. His parents have done an outstanding job. It's hard to find a kryptonite for him."

If there's been a knock on Spence since the day he put on a Hurricanes a uniform, it's been his size. At 6-feet, 224-pounds he isn't exactly what the NFL is looking for in terms of an every down outside linebacker. But Barrow believes Spence will overcome that and prove his doubters wrong.

NFLDraftScout.com ranks Spence as the seventh-best outside linebacker prospect in the 2012 draft, behind North Carolina's Zach Brown (6-2, 230), Alabama's Courtney Upshaw (6-2, 265), West Virginia's Bruce Irvin (6-2, 245), Nebraska's Lavonte David (6-1, 225) and Oklahoma's Travis Lewis (6-2, 228). Spence, listed at 5-11 accoring to the website, is projected to be a second or third round pick.

"People on the outside talk about his size, but he plays bigger than his size," Barrow said. "When I came out they said I was too small. When Ray [Lewis] came out they said he was too small. Sean Spence is the same thing. He's just a baller. He'll prove everyone wrong. I'm just happy he's here."

So are his teammates.

"Without Sean I don't know where I would be, where anybody else on this team would be," Jacory Harris said. "Sean, he kind of is like the glue to everything. Everyone counts on him on the defense, counts on him as a leader."

Said defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio: "He's a rare player, a once in a lifetime type of guy you coach. There's very few you get an opportunity to coach like that. He's a special player. He's really instinctive, really smart, works really hard, practices really. He's a leader. Keeps a good temper, doesn't get too high or too low. He's just a great player."

According to UM, no other player at a BCS institution has won defensive player of the week honors for their conference three times. Only Mike Taylor, a linebacker at Wisconsin, has won it twice. Spence has 277 tackles, 42.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks and 35 starts in his career.

Golden jabs Dolphins for Gator Day; Regis makes strange apology

CORAL GABLES -- Hurricanes fans made their feelings felt Sunday by booing Urban Meyer and the Gators when they were honored at halftime Sunday of the Dolphins-Broncos game at Sun Life Stadium.

Monday, UM coach Al Golden took his jab at the Dolphins when asked about the ceremony that will take place Thursday night to honor UM's 2001 national title team when the Canes (4-3, 2-2 ACC) host Virginia (4-3, 1-2 ACC).

"I'm just glad we got it right, honoring the right team on Thursday night," Golden said. "Clearly a lot of those guys have set the standard here. That's what we're trying to get back to. We're not going to get there overnight, but man they set the standard with the way they played and their work ethic and commitment to each other."

Last week reporters tried to get former Hurricane and current Dolphins right guard Vernon Carey to talk about the Gators being honored at Sun Life Stadium. But Carey declined to get into it.

UM spokesman Chris Freet said the Dolphins approached UM about having a ceremony to honor the 2001 National Title team, but the Canes already had made plans to honor them themselves at halftime of this week's game against Virginia. The reason: a Thursday night game allowed more of them on NFL rosters to be in town for it.

STRANGE APOLOGY

UM defensive tackle Micanor Regis, who served a one-game suspension Saturday for punching a North Carolina player in the crotch a week prior, met with reporters Monday briefly in what might have been the strangest interview ever. Regis didn't address what happened, sported a grin for much of the interview and dodged questions.

When told his actions seemed unlike him by a reporter, Regis said: "I'd like to thank my team. They pulled the win out for me. I'd like to thank them."

The reporter then followed up, "That wasn't what I asked you. I asked you this was unlike you, so why did it happen?"

Regis' response: "I'd like to thank my team. They did a great job with the win, especially with Georgia Tech. I love them guys."

Asked how hard it was for him to miss a game, he said: "It was very tough, man."

"Do you feel remorse?" Regis was asked. Regis then turned to a reporter who was there previously: "Tell them what I said earlier," he said.

That reporter declined, so Regis then said, "Once again I want to apologize to everybody. You know, I regret it. I just want to move on from it. That's it."

Regis was finally asked if knowing Darius Smith had a real good game made him less sure of his starting role. Again Regis responded, "I'd just like to thank my teammates for pulling it out for me. I love them."

UM, which uploads all the videos it records of reporters' interviews with players on YouTube, took down Regis' interview about half an hour after uploading it.

> Golden required Regis to perform community service at the Miami Rescue Mission Saturday while his teammates played. Asked about that, Regis said: "I was helping out with those guys. I'd like to thank them, too. They gave me an opportunity to help out. I was helping out with the shelter and everything. It was a blessing for me."

Golden on Sunday night (Feliciano probably out and Regis loses starting spot)

Here's what I just transcribed of Al Golden with us on a teleconference tonight:

Is this week most complete in terms of everybody being back from suspension?

You’re exactly right. I thought last week would be and then obviously we had a suspension during the week. This clearly will be the first time… barring any health issues. We have a couple of health obstacles here we have to overcome but we don’t anticipate any suspensions or off-the-field issues at this point.

 How good does that feel to have your team in tact and what are you guys capable of and how much better can you be at full strength?

  I think we’re making progress. The guys are starting to understand the process and going back to work day in and day out. If you have a team that does that and is consistent and executes on a daily basis you have a chance to improve.

It’s a short week. We’re coming off an option on our defense and our offense is coming off a 3-4 week so we have to adjust very quickly here going into this game.

With a week this short, are there things you won’t be able to get done?

No question. Both teams have the same issues though. There are no excuses here. It is what it is. The game is Thursday night. We manage our side of it and Virginia manages their side. I don’t think either side can say they can do everything they could normally do in a full week. We were very banged up coming out of that game on Saturday so we have to get our team healed up and ready to go for  Thursday.

One penalty and four over the course of two games. Is that a sign they’re hearing your message?

We’re making progress there. We have a long way to go, but clearly as a team we’re starting to understand what we’re trying to get done there. .. We just have to keep moving forward..

Any word on Feliciano or McGee?

Feliciano doesn’t look good right now for this game. Of course it’s a short week but we’ll know more tomorrow. I don’t anticipate there being anybody else that’s out. Mcgee would be probable until we see him on the practice field.   

We have a lot other guys, to be honest it’s still too early, we have to see how they react tomorrow. Our meeting is after this. It’s hard to gauge where they’re at.

Micanor Regis, has he learned his lesson for lack of a better way of putting it?

 I hope so because it’s zero tolerance, I’m not putting up with that and we don’t want that on our football program. Certainly he paid a price. It’s his senior year. He lost a whole game. And instead of being at the stadium with his teammates he was doing community service. He filled his end of the bargain so now its on to reinstatement and then getting back to competing for a job. The bad news for Micanor is that Darius Smith played his best game of the year so he has his hands full in terms of a short week competing for a starting job. (Note that Smith is the new starter at left defensive tackle on the depth chart just released)

 Was that something you saw watching film?

No. It does not show up on our sideline or end zone copy of our game film. I wasn’t made aware of it until I came off the field on Wednesday morning. What time is that, 11:30? By 1:30 he was suspended. I did my ACC call, got off the phone, brought the kid in, interviewed him, learned more about it, talked to his position coach. Brought the AD in and told him what was going on and that was it.

Who let you know?

I guess there was some kind of TV video that was circulating that ended up getting to me and I immediately called [North Carolina} Coach [Everett] Withers once I saw it and apologied once I saw it and handled it accordingly.

Could you put into context the type of season Sean Spence is having and how important he has been to the ups and downs of this defense and getting them ready?

 Sean Spence right now is playing lights out. I’m happy for the young man and I’m proud of him as his teammates are. He prepares, he leads, he’s the same guy every day. And he plays is how he practices. Right now he is invaluable to us and clearly having a special year. There are good years, there are great years and there are specials years. Right now he’s having a special year.

If Feliciano can’t play this week, will you stick with Bunche or will there be more evaluation of the offensive line?

I apologize if we did not release that, but Seantrel and Bunche will fight for the starting job at right tackle and we’re bringing Jermaine Johnson up at left tackle to back up Brandon who played his best game of the year.

What happened on the play he got injured?

I think he got stood up on a celebration and came down on someone’s leg.  I didn’t understand the extent of it because when I got out there (laughing) to check on him all the offensive linemen were laughing. They were telling me he got hurt during the celebration. I thought they were kind of joking around because they knew he was going to be all right. But the X-Rays were negative. He’ll be OK, but it’s such a short week and I don’t think he’ll be all right right now. We’ve got to celebrate a little smarter than that I guess. [We’ve] got to coach everything.

 His status?

If you’re asking me right now, I’d say doubtful.

We didn’t get out of there until 8 O’Clock last night and I have no idea what his status would be until we get out on the field.

He went to jump up, you know how they jump up together and chest bump or whatever they do. Whoever he was doing it with decided at the last second that wasn’t a good idea and he came down on someone’s foot.

At that position, Bunche is going to be competing at the right side. In the spring, Bunche was leading at left tackle and it seems like he fell off the earth in a way. We haven’t really talked to him that much. How is he doing?

I don’t think he fell off the earth. Clearly he had a back injury in Week 2 or Week 3 where he was out for whatever it was – 14 days. But the five guys we’re playing with we felt like they’ve been doing a good job. They’ve been protecting the quarterback good. We’ve been running the ball fairly well. The last two weeks we encountered some trouble but prior to that we were running the ball real well and we’ve maintained our pass protection really well. It hasn’t been an issue, it’s just that the competition there is real good. Seantrel is another guy that’s trying to fight in and get in and so is Fig and Wheeler and Shane, so there are a bunch of guys competing there.

After Jon went out, it was Bunche mostly. How much did Seantrel play on offense? Seantrel played a couple of series and Bunch played somewhere in the 30s. He played a good number.  He did a good job. He did a really good job. That’s why we have the confidence right now. There are a lot of different ways we could have reconfigured it this morning but we thought the way Malcolm played he and Seantrel should compete for the starting job over there.

Jermaine Johnson is going to back up at left tackle? What has he been doing that you’ve seen lately?

As I said earlier, for us it’s just a function of who is playing the best, not who has played the best or what did they do last year. I look at all these guys as how they’re practicing and how they’re playing. Malcolm, we thought, coming out of the spring was our best offensive lineman. Malcolm had a tremendous spring. But Harland Gunn has been playing really well and Tyler Horn has been playing well and Linder…  They’ve been playing good football. Jermaine has got an opportunity to be with the varsity this week and not on the scouts. He has a chance to come up and see what he can do. And then we’ll go from there. Clearly, Brandon played his best game of the year. He was 90 percent with his grade and 98 percent finish. And some of the plays he had were tremendous in that game. We’re excited about the way he practiced and the way he performed in the game.

UM’s offense and Va’s pass defense seems to be one of its strength. Could you talk about UM’s offense?

No question. We weren’t as sharp on offense. Give Georgia Tech a lot of credit. They weren’t ranked 20^th because they’re not any good. They’re well coached on both sides of the ball. Now we’re going against Virginia. They’re 19^th in total defense, 12^th in pass defense, and if my memory serves me correct, they’re Top 20 in red-zone defense and top 40 in scoring defense. It’s a team that has active linebackers, one with 65 tackles, another with 49. Eight interceptions – the corners are really good. The safeties are active, they play a lot of quarters, from what I can tell. The ends do a nice job for them. The Snyder kid and Cam Johnson. It’s going to be a great challenge for our guys on a short week but we have to play better on offense than we have the last six quarters.

How pleased are you with your guys as they’ve fought back to put themselves in this position with everything that has gone on this season?

 They’ve done a great job. I don’t really pay attention to it, but there are a lot of teams in our conference that have played really good out of conference schedules and I think ours is right up there. We lost at Virginia Tech in a heartbreaker and we lost to Kansas State on the 1-yard line and those teams are whatever they’re ranked right now. I’m sure they’re both in the Top 12 or so. So, we’ve played a tough schedule amidst a transition year amidst a lot of adversity that we could not foresee coming. So there has been a lot of transition, there has been a lot of inconsistency now we’re starting to get some traction. They’re starting to understand the process, they’re starting to understand what it means to be consistent and to take care of your business everyday and they’re starting to see results.

 In retrospect, how much of a factor were the suspensions?

 I think we all know they were a big factor. I don’t think there’s any question when you look at the players involved, and then, of course, the impact that they’ve made. To say that Jacory Harris or Travis Benjamin or Sean Spence or Ray Armstrong or any of those guys wouldn’t have made a difference early in the season. I think it’s fair for us to say they would have made a difference.

 Couldn’t help but notice that you guys had over 50 yards on kickoff return yesterday. A lot of people call that hidden yardage but I guess that wasn’t so hidden. Can you talk about your return game?

 Well, we weren’t pleased with it the week before. North Carolina did a good job against us in special teams in general. I thought we responded yesterday. And the one that we got yesterday with a minute left in the half was big because it set up a touchdown and chance to go up 21-7 against Georgia Tech. So that was big, and clearly we got a touchdown from our punt-coverage unit yesterday, which was really good and we got a fourth-down stop from our punt-return unit. So special teams were pretty good yesterday and we’re going to be challenged again. I’ve already seen Virginia’s special teams and Virginia’s defense and we’re going to have quite a challenge there.

Your defense has been good, but it seems like yesterday it really rose to the occasion?

The last six quarters or so, maybe the last seven quarters, they’ve kind of grown up, playing with more unity and clearly there’s more continuity there despite the fact that we’ve had some injuries inside and some guys that have gone down we have more continuity. They’re playing the defense called. They understand it and everybody is executing their job right now. We’re improving. We’ve got a long way in all three phases but certainly improving in defense.  

 How is the process affected with the short week? Are there elements of the process challenged? Studying, how they have to do their classwork today because it’s a short week?

That’s it. That’s a challenge enough. That’s what we’re constantly talking to the players about. Basically, human behavior, what we ask them to do today and what they need to do during the week is what we’re trying to... That’s what makes up a culture, your decisions and the things you have to do on a daily basis, They have to be disciplined, they have to get their schoolwork done today, we have to watch yesterday’s game and then move forward to Virginia. So, it’s a short week, so not only do theyhave to do the things that we ask them to do, they have to take it a step further and do a lot of things on their own. It’s going to be that kind of a week. We need discipline right now and we need a smart football team.

NEW DEPTH CHART

http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041811aab.html

 

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

UM notes: Feliciano hurt in celebration; Spence starts, finishes in middle; big day for freshmen

SUN LIFE STADIUM -- The Miami Hurricanes suffered a handful of bumps and bruises in Saturday's 24-7 victory over 20th-ranked Georgia Tech. Some were football related. One was celebration related.

Starting right tackle Jonathan Feliciano was involved in the latter.

After Lamar Miller scored on a 14-yard touchdown run with 25 seconds left in the first half to give UM a 20-7 lead, the redshirt freshman hurt himself during the celebration in the end zone. Feliciano limped as he was helped off the field by trainers. Feliciano was replaced by redshirt freshman Malcolm Bunche, who saw his first action since the Bethune-Cookman game on Oct. 1. Feliciano returned to the UM sideline in the second half on crutches and had a walking boot on his left foot.

"I can tell you the x-ray was negative," UM coach Al Golden said afterward. "What does that mean? I don't know."

Also hurt for the Canes: starting cornerback Brandon McGee. He collided with receiver Embry Peeples on a 16-yard reception with about 10 minutes left in the first half and didn't return. It appeared to be a right arm injury.

Defensive end Marcus Robinson, linebacker Denzel Perryman and defensive tackle Adewale Ojomo also left with injuries. Ojomo and Robinson returned. Perryman didn't, but said afterward he was "OK." The Hurricanes (4-3, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) have a short week to get healthy. They host Virginia (4-3, 1-2 ACC) Thursday night.

"I'm concerned about all of them," Golden said referring to McGee and Feliciano. "There's a couple others banged up, limping around. We're not going to do too much [this week]. We got to get rested up."

SPENCE IN THE MIDDLE

Linebacker Sean Spence, UM's leading tackler, has played middle linebacker at times throughout his career. But Saturday was the first time he played there from start to finish -- something defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio asked him to do to help slow down Georgia Tech's vaunted triple option rushing attack. UM held the Yellow Jackets to a season-low 134 yards rushing.

"Playing in the middle was something I played in training camp, something we knew coming into this game I was going to do," said Spence, who finished with a team-high 10 tackles. "I just fit right in."

Perryman said Spence's job was to protect against the dive, while he and Jimmy Gaines, who normally starts in the middle, worried about the pitch.

"He did a great job. He's Mr. Know-It-All, Mr. Smart Guy," Perryman said. "Sean's job is just to protect the guys. Today he did a great job with it. Outside, me and Jimmy Gaines pretty much had that. Sean called things out, gave us the heads up."

Golden said it's likely Spence will go back to his weakside spot and this was a one-game experiment. He will continue to play spot duty in the middle.

> Golden said the key for UM's run defense success was the play of the defensive ends, who remained poised and disciplined. 

"We had 25 plays in that North Carolina game where everybody was doing what they had to do," Golden said. "I guarantee there was twice as many today."

FRESHMEN SHINE

All in all, it was a great day for UM freshmen on defense.

With Spence in the middle, Perryman made his first career start and finished second on the team with seven tackles, a sack, a forced fumble and a three tackles for loss. "Denzel gave us some evidence today he deserves to play more," Golden said.

Defensive end Anthony Chickillo, making his fourth career start, had two tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery. Olsen Pierre, who played sparingly in his first five games, made two tackles in the most action he had seen all year at defensive tackle. Cornerback Thomas Finnie also saw a lot of action at cornerback once McGee went down. Finnie had a tackle.

"Before the game, me and Chick talked like 'Let's go out there and play ball," Perryman said. "Coach D [defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio] said at the beginning of the week he needed the freshmen to play like juniors. We went out there and dominated."

THIS AND THAT

Running back Mike James, who forced the fumble on the punt that JoJo Nicolas recovered for UM's second touchdown, didn't have a whole lot of experience on the Canes' punt coverage team. It was actually his first tackle on punt coverage in just his second game (Maryland was the other) on the unit.

"I just saw him bobbling the ball and hit him in the ribs," James said.

> Olivier Vernon, back from his six-game NCAA mandated suspension for accepting gifts from former booster Nevin Shapiro, said he got in for about 20 snaps Saturday. He finished with one tackle.

> Punter Dalton Botts, who nearly lost his job this week after his worst performance of the season at North Carolina, responded Saturday with his second-best game of the season. He had four punts for a 46.5 yard average including a long of 58.

"It was a great feeling to get back in the game," Vernon said. "I didn't have to go against Brandon Washington so it was nice."

> After saying earlier this week he wanted to see more from his left tackle, Golden praised the play of Washington after the game.

"I thought B-Wash's play on the 4th-and-1 on the pitch in the fourth quarter where he chased that guy out and made the block, that's what we're trying to get from him," Golden said. "He played better this week and it carried over into the game. I know I'm excited about him and excited about the way he played today."

Gameday blog: Georgia Tech at Canes

CORAL GABLES -- The Miami Hurricanes (3-3, 1-2 ACC) will attempt to win their third game in a row against Georgia Tech (6-1, 3-1 ACC) when the teams meet at 3:30 p.m. at Sun Life Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN. The 20th-ranked Yellow Jackets dropped their first game of the season last week at Virginia. UM is coming off a 30-24 win at North Carolina.

> ABOUT GEORGIA TECH: The Yellow Jackets' triple option offense is ranked in the top 10 nationally in five different statistical categories -- rushing (2nd), third-down percentage (2nd), fewest sacks allowed (2nd), total offense (9th) and scoring (10th). Over his last two games, junior quarterback Tevin Washington has put up Josh Nesbitt-like rushing numbers: 235 yards rushing and four touchdowns. No single player averages 70 yards rushing, but three Orwin Smith (69.7), David Sims (66.7) and Washington (60.6) -- average better than 60 yards. Receiver Stephen Hill is the team's big play threat in the passing game. He has three 100-yard receiving games this season. Georgia Tech has four pass plays of 70-plus yards and 48 plays of at least 20 yards this season. Defensively, while the Yellow Jackets have been giving up yards on the ground (177.14 yards per game, 81st nationally), they've held opponents to just 21 plays of 20-plus yards. 

> WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN IT COMES TO THE CANES: Maybe it's a good week to show more 3-4 defense. After all, the defensive tackle position took a hit this week with the one-game suspension of senior Micanor Regis. Junior Darius Smith (10 tackles, 1 sack) will start alongside former defensive end Adewale Ojomo in the middle. Their backups -- all freshmen: Corey King (who hasn't played a down), Olsen Pierre (2 tackles) and Jalen Grimble (0 tackles). UM's run defense ranks 94th nationally (187 yards per game). Offensively, Lamar Miller will try to bounce back from a 16-carry, 29-yard performance at North Carolina against a Yellow Jackets defense that gives up yards on the ground. Quarterback Jacory Harris hasn't thrown an interception in 14 quarters. But he needs to be careful today. Georgia Tech has eight interceptions (as many as they had last season). The Yellow Jackets don't give up many points either in the second half. They shutout Virginia last week in the second half and have give up just 14 points in the third quarter. Last week, the Canes produced two first downs and three points against North Carolina in the second half.

> MANNY'S PICK: Georgia Tech 34, Miami 31. I want to believe the Canes can overcome the suspensions and injuries on defense, that young guys will step up and deliver. But it's hard to picture it happening against a team that has run the ball as well as anybody in the country since Paul Johnson arrived. Assignment football? That just hasn't been the Canes thing on defense. Lamar Miller will have success running the football this week and Jacory Harris should continue to do a good job protecting the football. But one mistake could end up killing the Canes today. And chances are somebody on offense is going to slip eventually. In the end, that will be the difference.

Al Golden preparing for showdown with his old mentor, Ga. Tech defensive coordinator Al Groh

CORAL GABLES -- When it comes to pure upper body strength, nobody on the University of Miami football team is stronger than left guard Harland Gunn. The 6-2, 317-pound senior from Omaha, Nebraska benches 450 pounds and knows how to move a pile.

But as good as the Hurricanes offensive line has played this season -- opening holes for Lamar Miller to put together five consecutive 100-yard games to start the season -- Gunn wasn't pleased that streak came to an ugly end against North Carolina. Miller finished with just 29 yards on 16 carries and UM's offense struggled to move the football in the second half, netting just two first downs and three points.

"We obviously want to put up more rushing yards than we did," said Gunn, who has started 24 games in his career including 19 in a row. "But it's a new week. New game. We're just going to work so it doesn't happen again."

This week's challenge for the Canes offensive line is one they don't see very often: a 3-4 defense. The good news for UM: the Yellow Jackets aren't necessarily that good at defending the run. They rank 81st nationally -- giving up 177.14 yards per game. On the flip side: Georgia Tech does a pretty good job putting heat on opposing quarterbacks (16 sacks in 7 games) and they aren't too shabby on pass defense either -- ranking 14th nationally, 174.86 yards per game.

If there's one advantage UM has it's that coach Al Golden knows Georgia Tech defensive coordinator Al Groh really well. Golden served as Groh's defensive coordinator for five years at Virginia (2001-05) and learned the 3-4 system from him.

"Brilliant tactician," Golden said of Groh. "The hardest worker I’ve ever been around. Just a ball coach, and he loves that. If you said what do you want to be remembered as, I would say that he was tough, great tactician, a football guy, a football coach, and certainly a guy who has spawned a lot of other coaches. If you just look around, [current Virginia coach Mike London] or myself. There were some other guys that were on that staff, Ron Prince, and Danny Rocco and the list goes on that were on that staff that went on to have great careers.

"I learned more football from him in five years than I have in the rest of my career. He taught me the 3-4, and the flexibility of it. He taught me a lot about football, no question."

Golden said while he knows Groh's system well, he expects the veteran coach to throw in a few wrinkles -- like he always does. "The one thing about Al is he's a game plan guy," Golden said of Groh on Hurricane Hotline. "We'll see something different in every game.

"There are some core things you see week in and week out -- odd defense, Cover 2. You're going to see that. What drives him crazy are free access throws, hitches, all those things a lot of teams give up. He's not going to let you do that. He doesn't want to get beat for explosive plays. Something on third down is also always different. We've watched all the third downs and Cover 2s for Georgia Tech in the last two years. There's always a game plan on third down for Al."

MORE TIDBITS...

There's always stuff we can't get into our stories because of space in the paper. Here some left overs from my feature on redshirt freshman and starting right tackle Jonathan Feliciano:

> Despite being Puerto Rican and having Sicilian decent, Feliciano doesn't speak a lick of Spanish or Italian. "But I love my sauce and my beans," he said.

> Although Feliciano finished with over 20 scholarship offers while being recruited (all the state schools except Florida), it took the Canes a little while to jump on him. When former UM assistant Tommy Robinson first visited Western, he left without even noticing Feliciano. But Feliciano's coach chased him down and gave him his film. UM got back to Feliciano quickly, offered him a scholarship and he committed. "Miami was always my dream school," he said.

> Despite impressing coaches and teammates with his strength, Feliciano said he came in relatively weak. "When I first got here I couldn't bench 315," he said. "Now, I'm benching 375. [Strength coach Andreu] Swasey worked me hard." Feliciano said he squats 500 pounds and his power clean is 340 -- among the best on the team.

> Feliciano spent all of his freshman year playing left guard and started fall camp at right guard. It wasn't until he knocked a few guys on their butts in one-on-one drills at tackle midway through camp that Kehoe decided to give him a shot on the outside. The first guy Feliciano took down? Senior Adewale Ojomo.

> What has Kehoe been telling Feliciano he likes and doesn't like? "He's been praising my run blocking mostly and then always harps on me on my backside pulling technique. I need to get that backside cutoff," Feliciano said.

> Gunn said he's never seen Feliciano nervous and that his personality fits right in with the rest of the o-line.

"What's most impressive about Jon is how he stepped up this year, just rising way above everybody's expectations," Gunn said. "He's been competing out there, a finisher. He just plays real hard, doesn't really make too many mistakes out there at all. You have to take your hat off to a guy like that, especially being real young."

Canes Midseason Awards: Winners, Blinkers and Stinkers

The Miami Hurricanes head into Saturday's game against 20th-ranked Georgia Tech with a 3-3 overall record and a 1-2 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference play. 

If you listen to WQAM play-by-play man Joe Zagacki and color analyst Don Bailey Jr. -- who always see the bright side of things -- the Canes are just a few plays away from being 6-0. That may be true. But by the same rationale, North Carolina and Bryn Renner were a mere 30 yards away from rallying from a 24-point deficit to beat UM last Saturday and drop the Canes to 2-4. And that's something that surely would have dropped the old Canes Satisfaction Meter on Greg Cote's blog way down.

In the big picture, this team still is what I said it was three weeks ago after Kansas State beat them: Mediocre. Al Golden is trying to squeeze more out of his team. He's trying to create a real sense of competition, questioning the level of play of some of his best players to get them to play even better (Golden said Lamar Miller has a long way to go as a running back; Brandon Washington isn't playing up to par at left tackle). But until proven otherwise, until UM can play four strong quarters of good Hurricanes football (not one very good half in Chapel Hill) I'm not ranking this team's overall grade better than a C. 

But I am giving away fake awards. So, here are your Eye on The U Midseason Winners, Blinkers and Stinkers:

> MVP: Quarterback Jacory Harris. Yell all you want for Lamar Miller. But this category is Most Valuable Player not Best Player/He's Going To Be The First Cane To Get Drafted In The First Round since Kenny Phillips in 2008. No doubt Miller has played lights out. Before North Carolina held him to 29 yards rushing on 16 attempts, he'd run for at least 100 yards in five straight games. He still ranks 11th in the country in rushing with 117.6 yards a game (706 yards on 110 attempts). But Harris has been more valuable. UM might not have come back to beat Bethune-Cookman (OK, maybe that's a bit dramatic), held on to beat North Carolina or even been close at Virginia Tech or at home against Kansas State if Harris didn't all of a sudden find his mojo. Since halftime of the Kansas State loss, Jacory has gone 56 of 81 (69.1 completion percentage) for 900 yards, 10 touchdowns and 0 INTs. He now ranks as the eighth most efficient passer in the country with a QB rating of 170.77.

> MIA: Receiver LaRon Byrd. Not sure if he made Jacory Harris mad at him or not, but Byrd has gone from starter and second-leading receiver (41 catches, 440 yards) in 2010 to a Where Are They Now TV special (4 catches, 41 yards). Somehow I've got a feeling the 6-4, 220-pound senior will still end up on an NFL roster down the road and we'll be scratching our heads as to why he fell out of the picture.

> Most Valuable Coach: Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch. Jacory Harris couldn't have made this amazing turnaround without Fisch. How amazing? Well, a year ago, Harris ranked 88th in passer efficiency with a rating of 116.60. He threw 15 interceptions (two less than national co-leaders Boo Jackson of Ohio, Ryan Radcliffe of Central Michigan, Duke's Sean Renfree and Texas' Garrett Gilbert). And Harris would have taken home The Canes' Biggest Stinker Award had we had it last year. But behind the 35-year old Fisch, Harris has had a rebirth (0 picks in his last 14 quarters). UM's offense might not have as good a numbers in terms of yardage -- 56th rushing (159.5), 66th passing (224.83), 71st total offense (384.33) compared to a year ago -- 30th rushing offense (182.46 ypg), 43rd passing offense (238.85), 31st total offense (421.31). But where it matters is on the scoreboard and Fisch (48th scoring offense, 30.33 points per game) is outdoing what Mark Whipple did (67th scoring offense, 26.31 points per game). Fisch is also doing a better job getting the team's best playmakers the ball (running reverses, receiver screens, the Wildcat and a handful of trick plays).

> Razzie Recipient: Defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio. Every year Hollywood hands out their thumbs down awards for the worst things they've seen on film. D'Onofrio can send in a lot what we've seen from his unit this year. Not that he doesn't have plenty of legit, acceptable excuses. 28 players have lined up for UM's defense this year. Two of his best players -- Ray-Ray Armstrong and Olivier Vernon -- have missed multiple games because of NCAA mandated suspensions. The defensive tackle position has been riddled by injuries to Marcus Forston, Curtis Porter and veteran linebacker Ramon Buchanan was lost for the season against Bethune-Cookman. But who wants to hear excuses? The Canes rank 94th in rushing defense, 58th in pass defense, 81st in total defense and 48th in scoring defense. What's worse? They've blown the lead in the fourth quarter in all three losses. D'Onofrio deserves more time and a chance to have his entire unit in place before anyone tosses him to the sharks. But right now, his unit needs to figure out a way to slow the other team's option down (UM has been shredded by it). The challenge this week is monumental against Georgia Tech. And it wasn't made any easier by Micanor Regis' suspension Thursday.

> Questionable Call: Coach Al Golden. Virginia Tech. Opening drive. 4th and 1. Fake field goal run by Spencer Whipple. I rest my case. 

> Play That Made Me Say Wow: This run by Lamar Miller against Virginia Tech. Click here. The pass by Phillip Dorsett to Miller two plays later comes in a close second.

> Sean Spence Award: Linebacker Sean Spence. Hard to give a defensive trophy to anyone else who has played defense for the Canes over the last three years. Spence leads the team with 55 tackles (14 more than the next guy behind him Jimmy Gaines), leads the team 8.5 tackles for loss, ranks second with 3 sacks and was named ACC Linebacker of the Week the past two weeks. Nationally, he ranks 11th in the country in tackles per game, 8th in tackles for loss. His late sack of Brynn Renner Saturday in Chapel Hill was the first big play anybody on Miami's defense has made in the fourth quarter all season. Sorry, but it's true.

> Mr. Big Surprise: Right tackle Jonathan Feliciano. There were a lot of strong candidates for this one. Receiver Allen Hurns appeared to have it locked up after two weeks (10 catches, 123 yards, 2 TDs) but he only has eight catches for 163 yards and one touchdown over his last four games. Touchdown Tommy Streeter has sparkled (18 catches, 332 yards, 5 TDs). Sophomore linebacker Jimmy Gaines is second on the team with 41 tackles. But nobody -- and I mean not even his position coach Art Kehoe -- saw Feliciano coming. The 6-5, 320-pound redshirt freshman has started five consecutive games and he's done so well of late Golden wasn't thinking of pushing Feliciano out of the starting lineup to make room for Seantrel Henderson, he was considering veteran Brandon Washington. Yes, Feliciano leads the team with four false starts. But nobody is a bigger surprise on the team. Just listen to Kehoe: "I'm real proud of him. He wasn't even in the picture at all. Now, he's putting guys on [their butts]. He had four pancackes and five metrorails last week. He's on guys, tearing after them and having fun. It makes it fun as a coach."

> The Fab Freshman: Defensive end Anthony Chickillo. Denzel Perryman may end up beating him out by the end of the season -- especially if he cracks the starting lineup and finishes in the top five in tackles (he's currently fifth with 27). But for now, Chick is the man. With Olivier Vernon out, he's been one of the few bright spots for UM on the defensive line. He's started three games, is tied with Micanor Regis for the most tackles on the defensive line with 25, has four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.

> Special Teams Standout: Kicker Jake Wieclaw. This guy was supposedly unusable while Matt Bosher was here. All of a sudden, Al Golden has found a way to make Wieclaw look like Matt Bosher without the tackling ability. Wieclaw is a perfect 7 for 7 on field goals with a long of 43 yards and he could end up taking the punting duties over by Saturday with Dalton Botts struggling. Who knew? Joe Pannunzio apparently didn't either.

> Deserving of honorable mention -- Senior defensive back JoJo Nicolas. He's third on the team with 29 tackles and has played a valuable role in UM's secondary, shifting from corner to safety at the last moment because Ray-Ray Armstrong had to serve a four-game suspension. He also is playing with a heavy heart following the passing of his newborn son in fall camp. Senior receiver Travis Benjamin: Despite sitting out the season-opener due to an NCAA-mandated suspension, T3 leads the team with 24 catches for 246 yards and 3 touchdowns and has shown the type of attitude in practice Golden said he wanted to see. Senior defensive end Marcus Robinson: A year ago, UM had 37 sacks as a team. This year, the Canes have 17 through their first six games. Not bad when you consider Vernon has been out. So who has helped pick up the slack? Robinson. He leads the team with four sacks and two forced fumbles. He also has 22 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss.

Regis suspended for Georgia Tech after punching UNC receiver in groin

CORAL GABLES -- Micanor Regis won't be suiting up for the Canes against Georgia Tech Saturday. He's punched his way out of the starting lineup and onto the suspended list.

The 6-3, 300-pound senior defensive tackle was suspended by UM coach Al Golden Thursday for what was described as a violation of team rules. The rule Regis broke? He was caught on film punching North Carolina receiver Dwight Jones in the groin early in the third quarter.

"Micanor's actions in the North Carolina game will not be tolerated," Golden said in a statement released by the school. "We expect our players to represent our program with class on and off the field, and when they do not, there are consequences. Quite honestly I'm embarrassed and I just apologized to Coach Withers and shared that sentiment. We do not teach, nor will we ever condone this type of behavior in our football program."

Regis has started all six games this season and leads all defensive linemen with 25 tackles. He also has three tackles for a loss, one sack, and two pass breakups.

With Regis out, the Hurricanes will likely start senior Adewale Ojomo (6-4, 265) and junior Darius Smith (6-3, 335) at tackle. Freshmen Olsen Pierre (6-4, 265) and Jalen Grimble (6-2, 280) would provide depth.

"I'm truly sorry for my foolish actions Saturday during the North Carolina game," Regis said in a statement released by the school. "It was hurtful, wrong, and embarrassing to both football programs, to both schools, and to the millions of college football fans that were watching. Specifically, I want to apologize to Dwight Jones, coach Withers, and the entire UNC football program. I am hoping and praying that you all forgive me for my actions."

Georgia Tech averages 347 rushing yards per game.

> HERE IS A LINK TO THE VIDEO POSTED BY INSIDECAROLINA.COM

Brandon Washington named starter at left tackle; Golden wants more all-around

CORAL GABLES -- The stormy weather in South Florida continued Wednesday and for the first time this week it kept Al Golden's football team indoors.

The team tried to go out for its usual Wednesday practice at 7 a.m., but decided to hold off until 9 a.m. When the Canes tried to go out again, lightning kept them in for good. In place of practice, Golden said the team did a walkthrough in the gym and held position meetings.

"You can get negative about it or just be positive," Golden said. "We choose to be positive. We met more and we walked through more things. Again, we'll come back tomorrow and go again. We had three good solid days on the option.

"We're dealing with two issues right now. First time we've seen odd defense and we're dealing with the option. Mental days are good for us right now."

> If there's been one common theme this week down here, it's that coach Al Golden wants more from his team all around. Golden started the week by saying the team isn't getting enough from Brandon Washington at left tackle and opening the competition up at punter.

Although Golden tempered his comments a bit Wednesday on Washington (he also told us Washington beat out Seantrel Henderson for the starting job for this week's game), it's clear Golden's goal is to get players to step up their game.

"I want to make sure I'm clear. When I'm talking about [the lack of] production at the left tackle spot, we've had Fig over there, we've had Bunche over there, we've had now Seantrel over there. Sometimes you need a second guy to push your first guy so you're playing with your best five," Golden said.

"I don't know what the best five are. Certainly Brandon is in the best five right now. He didn't lose his job yesterday. We're trying to create competition at every spot. I know he doesn't like it. But again, what I want to do is make sure is it doesn't become personal in the media. Okay, it's something I've talked to him about. We're both on the same page. It has nothing to do with the North Carolina game. It has to do with his body of work and our want to get Seantrel better, Bunche better going into the game.

"They're not playing enough right now. Bunche was one of the best offensive linemen coming out of the spring. He's not playing enough right now. Seantrel is healthy. He needs to get in the game. Again, if one of those guys emerges at tackle, maybe Brandon goes inside. Maybe he moves to right tackle. I don't know. But we need competition there badly right now."

Golden later added: "I think the competition at every spot is good for our team. We need to get it. There's no more saved spots. The spots belong to the University of Miami and the players who came before us."

> Golden said he isn't getting to excited about his team turning the ball over less lately or having a season-low three penalties for 19 yards at North Carolina.

"I don't get too excited about that. I've been burned a couple times," Golden said. "We kind of had a false recovery after Ohio State. Then we had a bad penalty game against Bethune-Cookman. I just kind of temper my thoughts on penalties. We're going to have to be really good against this group. I think they're 40 yards a game, which is excellent.

"Turnovers, we're moving a positive direction. But I think you would agree we need more on defense. We need interceptions. We're not getting enough interceptions right now."

The Hurricanes have just three defensive interceptions this season, which ranks 101st nationally. Golden thinks that will improve "because we have stability now" on defense.

"We have the same guys playing the same positions for multiple weeks," Golden said. "We're getting our hands on a couple balls better, breaking on the ball better. Again, it's like everything else. We had success last week as a defense. Again, I know it's not dominant yet. But we had success as a defense because everybody did their job. Everybody was in the right spot."

> Senior JoJo Nicolas has been playing both safety and cornerback since the return of Ray-Ray Armstrong two weeks ago. "It might be like that the rest of the way," Golden said. "If two other safeties emerge and end up being better than him at safety, then we'll try him at corner. But right now he's one of the best safeties.

"The corners aren't hurting us right now. We need more production out of the corners. They know that. But McGee is playing better. Mike Williams has been solid. This will be a great test for them this week in terms of supporting the run and defending the deep ball. But again, it's going to be a fluid situation until we can say these are the best four. And right now we feel a rotation is the best play there."

> Golden said sophomore tailback Eduardo Clements has evolved into a third down back because of his success on special teams and could see more touches.

"It's not like they're saying 'Coach can we put Eduardo in?' I'm good with it now. I trust the kid. He's working hard. He's doing a good job," Golden said.

> Golden reiterated Wednesday it may take defensive end Olivier Vernon time to get back into the mix after returning from suspension -- as it was for Ray-Ray Armstrong and others, but he praised the 6-4, 265-pound junior for showing a great attitude in practice and returning in excellent physical condition.

"We just got to make sure we don't ask him to do anything he can't do right now," Golden said. "[At his best] he should be a multi-faceted end. He should be a good run stopper. He plays with a good motor. He should be a good pass rusher. He should be able to do all three for us."

> Freshman defensive back Dallas Crawford has played the role of scout team quarterback this week to help simulate the speed of Georgia Tech's triple option. Golden said coaches still haven't decided if Crawford will be a cornerback or safety down the road.

"He came in a little bit overweight to be honest with you," Golden said. "But he did a good job getting his body fat down, really getting a regiment. He's in good condition right now. I'm excited about him. Sometimes on Thursdays we'll take the young guys, guys that aren't playing for us right now and work them out a little bit after practice. Last Thursday he did a real good job. He's getting better."

Canes' left tackle Brandon Washington irked his job is open for competition

CORAL GABLES -- If Al Golden's goal was to get under Brandon Washington's skin with his comments Monday -- mission accomplished.

The 6-4, 320-pound junior, who has started 20 consecutive games for the Hurricanes (second-most on the offensive line behind senior Harland Gunn), said he is irked his starting job at left tackle has become an open competition with Seantrel Henderson. Washington also seemed puzzled as to why.

"I have no idea," Washington said Tuesday when asked why Golden thought his performance Saturday at North Carolina wasn't good enough. "I was obviously frustrated with my play. I was going against a good player [Quinton Coples]. They were talking about him being a possible first round draft pick. I didn't give up a sack on him. I think he had one solo tackle. So, I don't know what the deal is. I just need to get better."

For the record, Coples finished with three solo tackles, three assisted tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss and a sack. There's no telling exactly how many of those came against Washington (maybe offensive line coach Art Kehoe can clear it up since he broke down the film), but Golden was pretty clear Monday when he said "we're not getting enough out of the left tackle."

Washington was also pretty clear he was bothered by that. "Of course it bothers me," he said when asked if having his job up for grabs gets under his skin. "Like I said I was an All-Conference guard and they asked me to move out there because of the injury to Seantrel. Now, they're telling me the three inside guys are solid. And that possibly won't change.

"It's a tough adjustment," Washington said of moving from guard to tackle. "I was a dominant guard. I was an all-conference guard. I was a preseason all-conference guard, preseason All-American guard. Something changed with me going to tackle. I didn't just all of a sudden start to dominate guys as a freshman. I was a starter my sophomore year in what they called my come out year. I knew I could play. I got confidence in it. [Then] they moved me to tackle. I could use another year at tackle, and come out and execute the way I did at guard."

Lighting a fire under a player's butt is always a good thing if you can get more out of him. But in this case, it's clear Washington's feelings are bruised. Now, is he going to take a good attitude and approach to the competition? Or, is he going to sulk and become a problem?

Despite some of his comments, it doesn't appear Washington will do the latter. "I'm going to come out with the same composure, same humble guy I've been, play my physical brand of football," Washington said.

"[This] changes my mindset in a positive way, like just me wanting to get better, me wanting to execute my role even more. Now, I've got competition."

> So what was it that Washington didn't do right at North Carolina? The second time we asked him, we got a better explanation.

"Now that I watch film, we got this solid count with this head bob. [Coples] was beating me off the snap count," Washington said. "It was an away game. We had to go to a silent count. I was asking Tyler Horn could he do a two-head bob. He kept telling me 'Yeah,' but he wasn't getting there. I was doing the best I can. He was getting off the ball faster. I couldn't get my hands up faster. I couldn't get my hands on [Coples]. He was already on the edge."

Washington said making the switch from guard to tackle isn't easy and gave his explanation as to why. "You're in more space. The hand adjustment from the snap of the ball is quicker than at guard," Washington said. "You can handle it somewhat [at guard] -- opposed to a guy who runs 4.7, 4.6 speed, a guy who is big, fast and physical. You try and tie him with your hands. That's why I said I can use another year at it."

Golden not happy with left tackles -- or punter, or... you name it

Al Golden was intense today. He didn't seem pleased with much of anything. With Georgia Tech coming up at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Sun Life Stadium, he has precious little time to prepare his troops for Tech's triple-option offense.

Golden seemed especially disgusted at the play of UM's left tackles -- starter Brandon Washington and backup Seantrel Henderson. On this week's depth chart, there's an "OR'' between the names of Washington and Henderson at left tackle.

Golden said Henderson played "15 or 16" snaps last game.

"We’re not getting enough out of the left tackle,'' he said. "It’s just as simple as that. We’ve tried multiple guys over there. I don’t like the way it looks and it’s going to get fixed. Art [Kehoe] knows it. Jedd [Fisch] knows it. And I know it, and I can’t look at it anymore. We need to play better at left tackle."

Golden was asked if Henderson ended up starting at left tackle, would that slide Washington over to guard, his former position. But the way the coach answered, no one was good enough yet to play left tackle proficiently, let alone going to another position on the line.

"We just play the best five. That’s it. Whoever the best five are, they’ll play, and we’ll go from there.

"It’s a function of ‘Who do you want me to take out right now?’'  So he [Henderson] is going to have a chance to compete over Brandon, over at the left side, for the very reason you’re asking me the question. Maybe he should be giving us more. He hasn’t demonstrated that he’s better than the other four. Maybe he’ll have a chance to compete over there at left tackle.''

Pretty harsh words. Golden obviously is trying to light a fire under Henderson -- and Washington for that matter, who had what looked like some sort of cast or heavy-duty wrapping on his left hand/forearm. But Golden usually is pretty frank about these things, and is also obviously disappointed in those players. The Canes had a great first half passing the ball, but were stifled in the second half.

UNC held the Canes to 44 yards rushing for the game, and the Canes allowed two sacks Saturday. The Canes are 37th nationally in sacks allowed (Georgia Tech is the ACC leader in that category, by the way). Two weeks ago, they were 20th. Three weeks ago, they were 10th.

Golden continues to praise right tackle Jon Feliciano.

"Very well,'' he said, when asked how Feliciano was doing. "I don’t want to go ranking them. I think guard [Harland] Gunn has performed the most consistent. [guard Brandon] Linder was [like that] the first three games and I think Gunn has taken his game up to the next notch. Now it’s time for [center Tyler] Horn and Linder to try to take their game up. I don’t think there’s anybody in that building that would say right now Felic isn’t really doing an excellent job for us.''

BOTTS BEWARE

Golden also expressed his dissatisfaction with punter Dalton Botts, who had been having a fine season -- until last Saturday. Botts punted five times for an average of 34.2 yards, and put UNC in some very favorable field positions. In the fourth quarter, a 23-net-yard punt gave the Tar Heels the ball at the UM 27-yard line. It only took the Heels four plays to get a touchdown and narrow the score to 27-17.

Golden said he will put place kicker Jake Wieclaw in as punter this week if Wieclaw outpunts Botts in practice. What did Botts do wrong? His punts were "short and there wasn’t a lot of hang,'' Golden said. "His last one was his best one so hopefully he’ll build off that. [He's] Just not relaxing through the swing, not rhythmic and he just has to settle down and relax.''

Golden: "Dalton [Botts] struggled the other day and we can’t have that in a game of that magnitude. Period. We’ll let them compete all week. We’ll probably figure it out by game time."

NEXT ON HIT LIST: RAY-RAY

Golden on safety Ray-Ray Armstrong: "He’s got to be more consistent. He has definitely improved from Week 1 to Week 2 but there are still too many glaring plays in there where he just has to become consistent. He has to learn how to prepare. That’s a process. If you don’t submit to the process you can’t get better. Until it becomes a habit you can’t get better. So, it’s a process each week, to gameplan, prepare, do all the mental work and let it rip. And that’s where we have to get with him.''

Here's the gist of where Golden is going. He does not want the Canes thinking they are better than they are because of one road victory. He seems to think that's what happened after Ohio State, and he does not want to go there again.

"Hopefully they’re not as high as they were after Ohio State,'' he said Monday. "We’re trying to keep them consistent."

SPENCE AT IT AGAIN

Congratulations once again to linebacker Sean Spence, who was named Atlantic Coast Conference Linebacker of the Week for the second consecutive week. Sean made the game-saving sack against UNC and had 14 tackles.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday transcript of UM coach Al Golden: "We're 3-3. I hope we're angry."

After reviewing film of his team's 30-24 win at North Carolina Saturday, UM coach Al Golden spoke with reporters for nearly 15 minutes Sunday. Here's the Q&A:

Q: You won your first ACC game, but Georgia Tech lost and now everybody in the Coastal Division has an ACC loss. You can get right back into the division race with a win this week. You talk about that with the coaches or players?
A: "For us right now, it's about taking care of what we have to take care of. I can't really worry about anybody else. For us, we're just trying to teach them consistency, trying to teach them a process that they can rely on no matter what. That's paramount for us right now."

Q: Are you concerned at all about facing Georgia Tech after a loss? They could be an angry team.
A: "An angry team? We're 3-3. I hope we're angry. I hope the kids are angry that we're 3-3. We have enough to worry about. We can't worry about what's going on with the other team before we play them. Again, it speaks to -- every time I have to answer these questions -- what kind of swirls around this program. Right now, we have to get our kids focused on the process and executing everyday and let the product take care of itself."

Q: After watching the film did you see anything as to why there was a lack of a consistent running game in second half?
A: "Like I said after the game, you have to give North Carolina a lot of credit. I think they're an excellent defensive team. Certainly their front seven was excellent and played that well. It was by design early in the game that we passed as much as we did. To their credit, when we tried to go back to the run we couldn't. By virtue of not being able to do that, we enlongated the game. To me, it was a couple plays where a guy was getting beat that type of thing. The individual matchups were difficult for some guys. A guy getting beat here, a guy getting beat then, we didn't run as hard as we needed to run. Overall, I give North Carolina a lot of credit."

Q: Any improvement on defense? There was obviously breakdowns at the end, but what were your thoughts on the overall performance? Progress?
A: "Yeah. Clearly. I think we got two takeaways -- one on a kick cover team and the other, which was really big. I think that was positive. I think we didn't really let up a lot of explosive plays until the end when we gave up the long pass that got them going there in the last minute in a half. So that was good. I think there's more guys that are executing and on the same page than weeks before, which was great. No question I saw a lot of progress. I thought we ran to the ball well and played physically against a very physical team."

Q: Did you come out good as far as injuries?
A:  "So far so good. Again, we won't know until we actually get the pads on and see where we're at on Tuesday. But so far so good."

Q: Did you faced any of the triple option when you were at Temple or what Georgia Tech runs?
A: "We faced a guy named Paul Johnson when we we're at Temple. He's the best at it. We faced Navy and or Army every year. One year we played both of them. Again, with a different style of defense than we have here now. We have to take our personnel here and construct a game plan that is going to fit to our personnel and our style. I think the thing that is great about Coach Johnson is he's always evolving with his offense. It's a great challenge for us. We don't have a lot of time to get ready for it. So our guys have to get on the horse tomorrow morning."

Q: North Carolina coach Everett Withers said he spent time in spring and fall camp preparing his team for option offenses like Georgia Tech. Did you do any of that?
A: "Option defense is always part of our installations in summer camp and in spring. But in terms of just playing against full blown Georgia Tech, or trying to defend Georgia Tech, being that we were just installing our defense and those type of things the first year it was a little difficult. But certainly, we covered it in both spring and in summer."

Q: Olivier Vernon will be back this week. What do you expect from him and what kind of role do you think he will play?
A: "I don't know. We're going to see. He's been out for two months. He hasn't been part of our defensive practices for eight weeks total. We've learned as kids come back it's been a difficult transition for them. We learned from the previous guys that have come back. This is not like coming in and working where you rush the passer 65-70 times in game. This is a difficult week for him to come back. It's going to be a great challenge for him to get ready and prepared. We need disciplined football from everybody. For a guy who hasn't played much, it's going to be a great challenge for him. We're going to try and get him going, get him acclimated and get him out there and see how well he responds Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday."

Q: Travis Benjamin has been getting a lot of touches -- wild cat, reverses, punt returns, kickoffs, receiving -- and responding well.
A: "I think he's responding. I think he's in good shape. I just wish we did a good job for him on kick returns and punt returns. We really aren't doing a good job as a staff or as a unit on kick returns and punt returns. That starts with me and ends with me. We're going to have to get it fixed. I think Jedd is doing a good job getting him the ball. Give a lot of credit to the young man. He's working incredibly hard right now at his conditioning. He's shown he can take a hit and carry the load as a ball carrier and as a receiver. We're proud of the way he's working."

Q: Any reason for the lack of scoring in the second half?
"There's a couple plays here and there where we just didn't execute. Again, you have to be careful not taking away anything from what North Carolina did. North Carolina was exactly what we thought they were coming into the game. But we didn't execute the way we wanted to execute. We left a couple plays there, either yards or points on the board. Clearly the holding call coming out of our end was critical. It was a very costly error. And I there were just a couple blocks we missed where we could have had something big going on. Again, we have to get better. We're not a finished product yet. That's the good news right now. As a team, we're still growing, still evolving, still getting better. So, we just have to get back to work here on offense."

Q: Can you tell us what happened on the onside kick late in the game?
A: "There was no miscommunication. We just didn't execute. Period. That's something we work every week. That's something we've worked ever since I've been here. I'm really disappointed. The breakdown wasn't just one guy. It was two or three guys. It's disappointing we didn't perform better in that situation. I think some guys were kind of in shock. We just have to get them to have poise and execute in that part of the game."

Q: Was Lamar Miller dinged up at all in the game or was it a matter of their defense shutting him down?
A: "They played really good defense. We didn't block as well as we could have, or as well as we should moving forward. Also, it was a function of early on of taking what we could. I like to get Lamar 100 yards every game. But if we can get 27 points in the first half, I'd rather get 27 points. We were executing, taking what they were giving us and converting on. It's hard to go back and second guess, 'Say man we should have run the ball more.' I certainly did not think when we did want to go to the run in the situation we had to, we didn't execute the way we wanted to or are accustomed to. Give North Carolina credit. We have to get better still."

Q: Dalton Botts struggled with his punts.
A: "He shortened his swing, came across his body a little bit. H's just got to stay in his rhythm. He has to relax right now and just get back to being aggressive, being in a rhythm, being in his swing and not worry about it as much. That was uncharacteristic of him. Hopefully he'll go back to doing what we need him to do. In general, our special teams were anything but special."

Gameday blog: Canes at North Carolina

The Miami Hurricanes (2-3) will look for their first-ever win in Chapel Hill Saturday when they take on the North Carolina Tar Heels (5-1). UM won last year's meeting at Sun Life Stadium 33-10, but against a North Carolina team depleted by injuries.

> ABOUT CAROLINA: Interim coach Everett Withers suffered his only loss 35-28 at undefeated Georgia Tech back on Sept. 24. The Tar Heels rank 52nd in total defense (363.67 yards), 39th versus the run (119.17) and 87th versus the pass (244.50) and are led on defense by senior linebacker Zach Brown, who leads the team with 42 tackles, five for loss, 2.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. Offensively, UNC has the fourth most efficient passer in the country in sophomore Bryn Renner (99-136, 1,305 yards, 12 TDs, 6 INTs), a star freshman tailback in Giovani Bernard (657 yards, 103 att., 8 TDs) from Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas and senior receiver Dwight Jones, who is second in the nation with seven TD receptions (37 catches, 605 yards). Carolina has scored on 16 of 19 opportunities in the red zone -- all 16 are touchdowns. In 21 trips inside the red zone, Tar Heels opponents have scored just eight touchdowns. UNC ranks eighth in the nation in red zone defense.

> WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN IT COMES TO THE CANES: UM's porous run defense figures to get abused again this week by Bernard and the Tar Heels. The usually slow starting Canes need to be wary of not falling behind by too much. Carolina hasn't allowed a first quarter touchdown this season and has outscored opponents 42-3 in the opening quarter and 94-42 in the first half. UM quarterback Jacory Harris has thrown for 837 yards, nine touchdowns and just three INTs -- and sparkled over the last 10 quarters. But his last trip to Chapel Hill wasn't a good one. He threw a career-high four INTs as UM lost. Redshirt sophomore running back Lamar Miller, who ranks third in the nation with 135.4 yards per game, is looking to record his sixth consecutive 100 yard game. Expect to see a lot of Miller early and often.

> MANNY'S PICK: UM 33, North Carolina 30. Nothing really favors the Canes in this game as UNC -- in the words of Al Golden -- probably the best team they Canes will face. Only, I'm not buying it totally. North Carolina struggled to beat lowly Louisville 14-7 last week and figures they have this one in the bag at home against a beat up and reeling Canes team they've owned at Kenan Stadium. UM has played out of its mind on offense of late while the defense has played with a cheese-like stench. I don't expect the offense to keep up this pace all season. But for this week, they will. I see big day from Jacory, a big day from Lamar, and a Wieclaw field goal in the fourth quarter that wins it for the Canes.

Herald Sports Writer Andre Fernandez will run today's live blog. Manny Navarro is covering the Miami Dolphins today. Remember to please keep your comments clean of profanity or you will be removed from the chat room.

Canes penalty tracker

CORAL GABLES -- Coach Al Golden wanted to clean up the penalty problem at UM after the Hurricanes finished 117th last season. So far, the Canes have shown improvement. They've been flagged 34 times totaling 251 yards -- tied for 83rd nationally.

Here's a look at who has been flagged and why:

> By unit: Offense 23-155 yards, Defense 5-41 yards, Special teams 6-55 yards.
> By penalty: False start 12-70, Holding 4-40, Personal fouls 3-45, Illegal block 3-35, Delay of game 2-10, Illegal formation 2-10, Offsides 3-15, Substitution infraction 3-15, Roughing passer 1-11.
> By player: Feliciano 4-20, Linder 3-30, Gaines 2-16, Figueroa 2-10, Spence 2-10, Armstrong 1-15, Byrd 1-15, Henderson 1-15, Paul 1-15, Perryman 1-10, Scott 1-10, Hurns 1-10, Bunche 1-5, Ford 1-5, Streeter 1-5, Gunn 1-5.

GAME BY GAME
Maryland (UM 10 penalties, 65 yards)
1. Offense - 1st quarter - False start on Joel Figueroa (5 yards). Play: 1-10 at UM 38. Result: 1-15 at UM 33. Result of drive: Canes turn it over on a fumble.
2. Offense - 2nd quarter - False start on Malcolm Bunche (5 yards). Play: 2-12 at UM 33. Result: 2-17 at UM 28. Result of drive: Canes turn it over on a fumble and Maryland scores to take a 20-14 lead.
3. Offense - 2nd quarter - Holding (undisclosed, 10 yards). Play: 1-10 at UM 20. Result: 1-16 at UM 23. Result of drive: Canes take a knee, run out the clock.
4. Offense - 3rd quarter - False start on Chase Ford (5 yards). Play: 2-5 at UM 43. Result: 2-10 at UM 38. Result of drive: Stephen Morris scores on 5-yard TD run.
5. Offense - 3rd quarter - Illegal block on Brandon Linder (15 yards). Play: 2-12 at UM 30, Morris 6 pass to Dorsett. Result: 2-27 at UM 15. Result of drive: Canes punt.
6. Offense - 3rd quarter - Delay of game (5 yards). Play: 3-14 at UM 28. Result: 3-19 at UM 23. Result of drive: Canes punt.
7. Offense - 3rd quarter - Delay of game (5 yards). Play: 3-19 at UM 23. Result: 3-24 at UM 18. Result of drive: Canes punt.
8. Offense - 4th quarter - Illegal formation (undisclosed, 5 yards). Play: 2-4 at MD 15, Miller runs to the MD 3. Result: 2-9 at MD 20. Result of Drive: Canes settle for a field goal, take 24-23 lead with 4:01 to play.
9. Offense - 4th quarter - Substitution infraction (5 yards). Play: 3-10 at UM 33. Result: 3-15 at UM 28. Result of drive: Chism returns interception of Morris 54 yards for game-sealing TD.
10. Offense - 4th quarter - Substitution infraction (5 yards). Play: 2-10 at UM 27. Result: 2-15 at UM 22. Result of drive: Morris intercepted by Tate to end the game.

Ohio State (UM 5 penalties, 31 yards)
1. Offense - 1st quarter - False start on Brandon Linder (5 yards). Play: 2-6 at OSU 38. Result: 2-11 at OSU 43. Result of drive: UM scores TD on Harris to Hurns 3-yard pass.
2. Defense - 2nd quarter - Roughing passer on Jimmy Gaines (11 yards). Play: 2-9 at UM 22. Result: 1-10 at UM 11. Result of drive: Ohio State kicks field goal to make it 14-3.
3. Offense - 2nd quarter - Illegal formation on Tommy Streeter (5 yards). Play: 1-10 at OSU 15. Result: Wipes off 15-yard TD pass from Harris to Walford. 1-15 at OSU 20. Result of drive: UM settles for a field goal and 17-6 lead at halftime.
4. Offense - 3rd quarter - False start (Undisclosed 5 yards). Play: 1-10 at UM 25. Result: 1-15 at UM 20. Result of drive: Canes punt.
5. Special teams - 3rd quarter - False start on Sean Spence (5 yards). Play: 4-6 at UM 14. Result: 4th and 11 at UM 9. Canes punt.

Kansas State (UM 4 penalties, 30 yards)
1. Offense - 1st quarter - False start on Jonathan Feliciano (5 yards). Play: 3-1 at KS 17. Result: 3-6 at KS 22. Result of drive: Canes settle for field goal.
2. Special teams - 1st quarter - Holding on Rashawn Scott (10 yards). Result: Instead of 1-10 at UM 26 it is 1-10 at UM 16. Result of drive: UM punts.
3. Offense - 1st quarter - False start on Joel Figueroa (5 yards). 4-4 at KS 37. 4-9 KS 42. UM punts
4. Special teams - 4th quarter - Illegal block on Denzel Perryman (10 yards). Result: Instead of 1-10 at UM 23 it is 1-10 at UM 13. Result of drive: UM punts.

Bethune-Cookman (UM 6 penalties, 41 yards)
1. Defense - 1st quarter - Offsides on Marcus Forston (5 yards). Play: 2-7 at BCU 31. Result: 2-2 at BCU 36. Result of drive: Wildcats lose fumble at UM 2.
2. Defense - 1st quarter - Offsides on Jimmy Gaines (5 yards). Play: 1-10 at BCU 48. Result: 1-5 at UM 47. Result of drive: Wildcats lose fumble at UM 2.
3. Special teams - 1st quarter - Substitution infraction (5 yards). Play: 4-7 at UM 37. Result: 4-1 at UM 31. Result of drive: Wildcats lose fumble at UM 2.
4. Defense - 1st quarter - Offsides Sean Spence (5 yards). Play: 3-6 at UM 48, 3-1 at UM 43. B-CC scores a TD.
5. Offense - 2nd quarter - Personal Foul on Laron Byrd (15 yards). Play: 1-10 at UM 29. Result: 1-10 at UM 14. Result of drive: Canes punt.
6. Offense - 2nd quarter - False start on Jonathan Feliciano (5 yards). Play: 1-10 at UM 43. Result: 1-15 at UM 38. Result of Drive: Canes punt.

Virginia Tech (UM 9 penalties, 84 yards)
1. Offense - 1st quarter - False Start on Harland Gunn (5 yards). Play: 1-10 at UM 20. Result: 1-15 at UM 15. Result of drive: Canes punt.
2. Offense - 2nd quarter - False Start on Jonathan Feliciano (5 yards). Play: 2-11 at UM 19. Result of play: 2-16 at UM 14. Result of drive: Canes punts.
3. Offense - 2nd quarter - Holding on Brandon Linder (10 yards). Play: 1-10 at VT 48. Result: 1-20 at UM 42. Result of drive: Canes score on Harris to Hurns TD pass.
4. Offense - 2nd quarter - False start on Jonathan Feliciano (5 yards). Play: 2-13 at UM 49. Result: 2-18 at UM 44. Result of drive: Canes score on Harris to Hurns TD pass.
5. Defense - 2nd quarter - Pass interference on Ray-Ray Armstrong (15 yards). Play: 3-6 at VT 28. Result: 1-10 VT 42. Result of drive: Hokies score a TD right before the half.
6. Special teams - 3rd quarter - Illegal block on Allen Hurns (10 yards). Play: Hokies punt. Instead of UM taking over at their 27, Canes start at own 17. Result of drive: Canes score TD on 73-yard Harris to Benjamin pass.
> Special teams - 3rd quarter - Kick out of bounds on Jake Wieclaw. Result: Hokies have 1st and 10 at own 40. Result of drive: Virginia Tech scores on next play, a 60-yard TD pass.
7. Special teams - 4th quarter - Personal foul on Gionni Paul (15 yards). Play: Hokies kick off with UM trailing 31-21. Result: Canes start on 10 instead of 20. Result of drive: UM scores a TD on trick play pass.
8. Offense - 4th quarter - Holding (undisclosed, 10 yards). Play: 1-G at 6. Result: 1-G at 16. Result of drive: Canes scored on 30-yard Miller TD run.
9. Offense - 4th quarter - Personal foul on Seantrel Henderson (15 yards). Play: 2-G at 15. Result: 2-G at 30. Result of drive: Miller scores on 30-yard TD run.

Jedd Fisch: UM offense needs to play better late in games, key penalties need to stop, and why he needs more from Lamar Miller

CORAL GABLES -- Fans can point to the' defensive woes as the reason UM has lost three of its first five games this season. But ask Canes offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch why UM lost heartbreakers at Maryland and Virginia Tech and at home against Kansas State and he points the finger at himself and his offense.

"We didn't score in our last possession against Maryland, Virginia Tech or Kansas State. If we scored in those last three possessions we would have won those games," Fisch said.

"Our expectation is to score. So our job is to do everything we can to move the football every time we touch it. Whether or not the head coach says that or not, when you interview for the job you tell him you're going to go score. That's kind of our philosophy. We're disappointed when we don't score. We're disappointed when we have a three and out. We feel like we leave points out there everyday. We're going to continue to just put the pressure on our players, put the pressure on our coaches and try to perform at the highest level we can in order to be a great offense."

The Hurricanes, who have failed to protect fourth quarter leads in all three of their losses this season and who rank among the nation's worst defenses (97th vs. run, 82nd in total defense, 50th in scoring defense), are averaging 30.4 points per game on offense (up nearly four points from a year ago). But Fisch has plenty of reasons to be frustrated with his unit, particularly late game execution and penalties.

In Saturday's 38-35 loss at Virginia Tech, UM got the ball back at its own 30 with 47 seconds left and all three of its time outs. UM ran seven plays and gained just 15 yards.

"Guys were open," Fisch said. "We had a first down play we converted on third down [a Mike James third down run] that had an opportunity to go for 20, 30 yards. Unfortunately, they made an arm tackle to get us down at the 45-yard line. We took a time out and had two time outs left.

"When we lined up on the next play we had a chance for a touchdown pass and they took a time out because they knew their coverage was off. We came back, threw a incompletion and then came back with an open play and overthrew Tommy Streeter on a seam route. Then, [Harris] got caught scrambling around a little bit and when you scramble around a little bit you lose clock. So on the last play we only had five seconds left so we had to throw it deep.

"Our plan really was to take two vertical shots. The first one of the series and then the one that we had Tommy on the seam route. Unfortunately we just overthrew him. We would have been on the 25 yard line if we hit that. It happens. You're not going to hit every pass and you're not going to hit every run. We were disappointed in the way that ended. We had some plays in the two minute drive we could have executed."

UM, who finished 117th in penalties last season (107 for 893 yards), has been flagged 34 times for 251 yards this season (tied for 83rd in NCAA out of 120 schools). Of those 34 penalties, 23 have come on offense and cost the Canes 155 yards. 12 have been false starts totaling 70 yards. Fisch said he can live with those when they come in noisy stadiums like Lane Stadium. But he said the Canes have to get their act together when the game is on the line and cites 4th quarter penalties against Maryland (an illegal formation that wiped out a Lamar Miller run to the Terps 3) and early penalties against Kansas State (false starts that stalled UM drives early against the Wildcats) as backbreakers.

"We honestly believe we hurt ourselves more than other people hurt us," Fisch said. "We have a third and 1 and if you don't false start against Kansas State you should be able to pick it up. Instead, we kick the field goal. Same game if you have a fourth down and you convert it and have a false start you score and then the game doesn't come down to the last play. That's the same thing at Maryland. We run the ball, have a first and goal at the 3-yard line and we line up wrong. Then we had some substitution problems during the last two minutes. All those things need to be cleaned up."

> Fisch agrees with UM coach Al Golden in that he thinks Lamar Miller, who currently ranks third in the nation in rushing, still has a long way to go in terms of development.

"I think he's a really gifted, unfinished product," Fisch said. "I think there's a lot of stuff he can continue to work on. I'd like to see him become a better pass protector. I'd like to see him become a better route runner, be more used in the passing game and with that I love how he runs. I'd like for him to be able to continue to be our workhorse. I challenge him all the time."

"At the top of my game plan every week it says 'Lamar till he can't.' I don't want him to tap out. I want to ride him. We're going to get him to be that guy for us. He's going to continue to develop and get stronger. But right now, he's a special player. We're going to continue to use him every way we can."

> Fisch said quarterback Jacory Harris' improvement over his last 10 quarters is no surprise to him. "I kind of think he's played really well the whole time," Fisch said. "There are a couple throws in there -- the Kansas State interception -- I wasn't happy with. But I thought he played well in the first half against Kansas State and I thought he played well against Ohio State.

"I think everyone just points to the fact he hasn't thrown a pick in the last 10 quarters and think what's happened. But I think he's managed the game very well. I think he's handled himself very well as a leader and the team has responded well to him. There is a lot of room for improvement. There's a lot of room for him to grow. He's not where we want him to be. We want him to be a much better player. We're going to keep working for him to become a better player. And I believe he will be."

Golden: Canes defense is 'as simple as it can be'

CORAL GABLES -- UM coach Al Golden spoke to reporters at his weekly press conference for about 30 minutes Tuesday and as usual was brutally honest about his team's struggles.

How brutal? Well, after saying Sunday the offense would likely have to score 30 points a game or more for his team to win games, Golden said his defense (ranked 82nd overall, 97th versus the run and 50th in scoring) is running about as simple a scheme as you can get.

"It's so simple that we can't go simpler than we're going right now," Golden said. "I don't have any doubt we'll be able to do more in the future. But for us to operate at 100 percent right now on defense, we can't install 100 percent [of what coaches want to do]. That's a function of transition [to a new system], a function of playing young guys.

"The reality of it is we have enough talent that if everybody plays the same call, has the right gap and we play as a unit we'll be okay. Will we be dominating right now? No. We have to take the ball away, be good on third down, red zone. There is no excuse right now. We are what we are. And if we're going to improve from last week we better stop freelancing in some areas we're freelancing. They run a post pattern into post coverage [for a 60-yard TD] and it scores. We were so badly out of place that they score. Those are the things we need to fix, everybody on the same page."

The Hurricanes have sustained quite a few injuries and have been hurt by suspensions on defense. The Canes has been so decimated and hell-bent on trying to solve their woes, defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio said Tuesday his unit has actually rotated 28 players in at different spots in five games.

Linebacker Sean Spence said the Canes, who ranked 22nd in total defense, 84th versus the run, third versus the pass and 27th in scoring defense in 2010, were nowhere near that total last year.

"It was 12, maybe 14 guys who really played for us on defense most of last year," Spence said. "I know I didn't come off the field at all. The new system they brought in I think is better at getting guys experience, allowing them to play and keep guys fresh. But we just haven't had any real consistency."

That of course hasn't been by design. D'Onofrio would prefer to have a much smaller rotation. Golden said Tuesday he would have preferred to redshirt his entire freshman class. But injuries and suspensions have taken their toll, hurting chemistry and putting players into games that simply aren't ready.

"There hasn't' been a lot of consistency from Week 1 [with personnel]," Golden said. "If Armstrong had been playing three weeks ago, he might be able to make a play on that play [on that 60-yard touchdown pass versus Virginia Tech] and it just happened to be in a money game. We're dealing with that in a lot of different places right now and we're going to deal with it again next week when Olivier [Vernon] comes back. Hopefully if everybody stays healthy that will be the last of it.

Still, Spence said, the defense can't make excuses for their past failures. Spence said players have had since the spring to get learn D'Onofrio's defense and players simply aren't executing what they've been taught.

"I don't think guys are confused. I think they know the defense. They just make mistakes. We have breakdowns," Spence said. "You can see a lot of great things on film. We just have breakdowns at the wrong time and it makes the defense look bad."

So what are the improvements Spence has noticed on film? "Little things. Strip attempts. Everybody running to the ball. Being physical on tackles. The things we do in practice is finally starting to show up in games," Spence said. "We have to fix those little things or make that one play to get off the field and we'll win the game."

MORE NOTES FROM TUESDAY

> Even though former offensive tackle Jermaine Johnson is taking snaps on defense in drills, two sources said Tuesday not to expect to see Johnson on the field unless it is "a complete emergency." Although UM has moved three former defensive linemen -- Dyron Dye, Jeremy Lewis, and David Perry -- to offense, Golden reiterated he plans to leave them there and give true freshman Corey King playing time at the battered defensive tackle spot.

“Perry, he's an end, not quite big enough for a 3 technique," Golden said. "I like what I’ve seen with Corey King recently so I would rather go that way so that we’re building and playing with someone that’s going to be in the program for quite some time” Golden said. "Corey is very strong, at 26 or 27 reps of 225 as a freshman, which is elite strength. He's 285 and he plays with leverage."

The issue for King, Golden said: “He doesn’t know whether the ball is pumped or stuffed, but other than that, he’s okay."

Defensive line coach Jethro Franklin said of King: "He's strong, extremely strong for a kid his age. He's strongly mature, if that's a word. He's still learning the position and what have you. But he has things you can't teach, bend, strength, flexibility and he has good knowledge of the position. I'm real excited for him."

As it stands, expect Micanor Regis, Darius Smith, Adewale Ojomo (Golden said he expects him to be okay for North Carolina) and Olsen Pierre -- back from injury -- to get the bulk of the snaps at tackle.

> Golden can't talk about the team's recruiting efforts specifically, but he put out a pretty clear Help Wanted advertisement Tuesday: "Given the number of older guys we have I don't see us wholesale redshirting for a couple of years. Even next year; this class is going to be ginormous because we're losing a lot of guys. I don't see us redshirting a lot of guys in the near future. If you're a young guy and you want to play for a top 40 institution, in the defensive line , linebacker and secondary there's great opportunity to come here and play early."

Does Golden care what his class ends up being ranked? Not really. In fact, don't be shocked if a lot of no-names end up in UM's class (in part because of the losing and because of the NCAA sanctions).

"Everybody says put a fence up and all that, but if we're going to take 20-25 kids a year we have to make sure we get the right 25," Golden said. "The thing I'm most proud of that we did at Temple is (A) we developed players and (B), didn't listen to anybody. Because they weren't supposed to be any good, any of them. And we got guys that fit our system that we believed in. We got the right guys. You have to get the right 20, can't just get any 20. Because what we did at Temple is we selected well. If you look at our percentages, we selected well based on our returns."

> Lamar Miller may be ranked third in the country right now in rushing, but that means little to Golden. He thinks Miller has a long way to go in terms of development.

"I think the young man knows that," Golden said. "He knows there's another level for him in terms of his mental toughness, in terms of conditioning. You can name the guys -- we defended all of them through the years. Thomas Jones had this incredible approach to his body as his greatest asset, to his off the field makeup, to his longevity, to his ability to stay healthy. Lamar's not there yet.

"Lamar ran one way against Ohio State and against Virginia Tech and he two weeks in there where he was battling bumps and bruises. He hasn't quite developed the stiff arm yet so he's not always taking a shot on the shoulder. Many times he doesn't use the weapon, use [his] hand, get them off your body. Certainly he can improve in pass protection. If he does in prove in pass protection. If he does improve, now he becomes a screen runner, a draw runner, a third down back who is catching a check down in his development. Now, the backfield was full last year. It's a little less full now. He's getting the reps and is developing. He's got a long way to go. What he does well - he can start and stop really well, change direction, can make you miss laterally, is 215, 216 pounds so he can finish runs. He finished runs really well the other day."

Mark D'Onofrio talks Canes defensive woes, bump and run coverage, patience

CORAL GABLES -- UM defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio has plenty of reasons to be frustrated. After putting together a stellar defense at Temple that ranked among the best in the country, his first five games with the Hurricanes haven't had many highlights. Saturday's 38-35 loss to Virginia Tech was especially disheartening considering UM racked up 519 yards on offense against one of the country's top-ranked defense.

Tuesday, D'Onofrio met with reporters for about six minutes and tried to explain what is going on with UM's defense that now ranks 82nd in total defense (402 yards per game), 50th in scoring defense (23.6 points per game), 97th versus the run (196.2 yards per game) and 38th versus the pass (205.80 yards per game).

Q: You have had a lot of injuries obviously at defensive tackle what are you doing to try and patch things up in the middle of the defense?

A: "Doing whatever we can do. Losing Marcus [Forston] really hurt us. Fortunately we'd been playing [Adewale] Ojomo there the week before. So it wasn't a big transition going in and then Ojomo got hurt. So that wasn't good. But just like all the other games whatever happens, happened. We're going to be better for it.

"We had a chance to win the game. All we really needed to do was make one play. Make a play on third down. Make a play in the red zone. Make a play on fourth down. At one other point in the game and we win the game. That's what we're striving. It's always hard to see. I know who were playing. I know who were playing with. I know what they're capable of, who is getting better, who is not. We did a lot of things better the other day. It was certain amount of minutes in the game where we gave up free plays. We gave up some big strikes and we gave up touchdowns at the end of each half. You're talking about seven minutes in the game where we gave up 28 points. We just have to eliminate those key times when you make those critical errors."

Q: Are you not getting enough pressure on the opposing quarterback?

A: "Right now it's a unit. When we're giving up some plays and we're not coming up with stops its generally not somebody doing their job. We all got to do better. We got to keep coaching them up. We got to try and put them in the best defenses we can. And players have to respond and do their job. I wouldn't put it all on the defensive line, by any means."

Q: Coach Golden said Sunday the team will probably have to score 30 points a game for you guys to win. How do you take that as the defensive coordinator?

A: "The defenses we had at Temple, it was the other way around. We would win games 14-10 or would lose games 10-7 or 7-3. From our standpoint it was always we're going to outplay the other team's defense. The situation we're in right now, there's no excuses. All I can say is the guys have been resilient. They just practiced their rear ends off. They're doing everything we've asked them to do. We've played 28 guys on defense this year. We have 28 guys in the two deep that have all played in 5 games. 28 guys. We're going to be better for that. I'm not losing my patience. I want to win now. I want to win this week. I didn't like the way I felt after the game. We're moving our team forward. We're not just sitting here losing with 12 guys playing in the game, 13 guys playing in the game. What are you going to do when the next guy goes down? Guys are going down and we're having guys ready to play. We'll just keep going."

Q: It seems like your defense is pretty basic. You are rushing four and playing off at cornerback. Is scheme limited because of personnel?

A: "A lot of it is everything. We're not running everything we have in our package. What we did at Temple was over a 5-year period. My last three years there I had five senior starters and then six senior starters. So there's a buildup. Right now, we haven't been able to hit that buildup. We never really have had the same lineup. You plug three guys in. Even third down last week, we had four new guys on a third down package. Forston got hurt. Ojomo got hurt. Ray Ray [Armstrong] came back. We moved JoJo Nicolas to corner so you're talking about four new guys playing on third down. It is what it is. We'll be better for it. I have to be committed."

"Everybody says play bump and run. We play bump and run and we give up a 60-yard touchdown pass. The four plays preceding that where we were bump and we had enough guys in the box we stopped them for small gains. They hit us on a play they shouldn't have hit on us in post coverage. Again, it all depends on down and distance and it all depends on the point the game. "At the end of the game we had a four point lead, so bump and run, why would I want to do that and give up an easy touchdown? I needed somebody to make a play. At the end of the day we need to make a play. We let them off the hook a couple of times, let them out of the pocket. We had a chance to sack them on the backside and didn't do it. That's what we're looking for, for someone to make the play, not make it a one-on-one game."

Q: Are you expecting to see better play from Ray-Ray Armstrong at North Carolina?

A: "I hope so. That's the expectation on all those guys. He made some plays in the game he needs to correct. We keep coaching him up. He has a good attitude."

Q: Can you talk about North Carolina's offense?

A: "They're a good football team. They have that big, big physical offensive line. Big tight ends, multiple backs, a quarterback that is really efficient, two wide receivers that have caught a lot of balls. I don't know if you can really hone in one area. This is a really good football team and a big challenge for us. We're excited to go play them. I think they're a really good team and have excellent personnel on offense."

Golden gives team off today, but has more to say, including, 'Many of them think they're way better than they are'

The Hurricanes were given off today by coach Al Golden.

As I just tweeted, they need a break in one way or another. The defense is hurting, and they have three games in the next 17 days.

Golden still talked to the media, and told us the reason he was so emotional after the game was that his players were hurting so much. "I had just left a locker room and guys were shattered,'' he said.

After that game, how could you not be emotional?

News-wise, Golden said Jermaine Johnson, who played offensive tackle last year but apparently isn't  good enough to get on the travel squad this year, has been practicing "individual drills" as a defensive lineman. "So he would probably be the next man in if we lost somebody else.''

 But the coach said he'd "rather invest in [true freshman defensive tackle] Corey King [of Boca Raton] -- someone who plays that position [DT]. I gave the OK on Saturday for him to go in. It just never came to that point.

"He [King] missed training camp and trying to learn during the season is very difficult. But he's been in meetings the last three weeks. We always try to think a step ahead: 'What if we lose somebody?' So we have been prepping him in meetings the last couple of weeks and we traveled him last week in case that did happen. I'm excited about him but he missed a lot of work. He's just got to try to learn on the run now.''

INJURY UPDATE

 Golden said, actually, that he had "no update'' on the status of injured defensive tackle Adewale Ojomo (undisclosed injury), but said he was hopeful he could play this Saturday at North Carolina. He said Ojomo played "very well'' at defensive tackle, but he didn't play at all in the second half. He said he also hopes to get back Jalen Grimble (listed as an "or'' behind second-stringer Andrew Smith on the newest depth chart) for UNC.

DEPTH CHART

Speaking of the newest depth chart, released this morning, Shayon Green has moved from right to left defensive end, and is listed as the starter, with an "OR" between him and Marcus Robinson.

The starting right defensive end is true freshman Anthony Chickillo, who had eight tackles at Virginia Tech and is as good as advertised. 

According to the new depth chart, DT Ojomo has moved from the left side to the right, and is listed as a starter, with "OR" between his name and Micanor Regis'. Darius Smith is listed as the starter at left DT.

Outside linebacker Jordan Futch has an "OR" between his name and Kelvin Cain's.

Here's a link to the new depth chart: http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041811aab.html

"HEY, AM I ON THE HIGHLIGHT REEL?"

 Golden said UM coaches have to make sure the players aren't looking for "external affirmation.

"I think that's one of the biggest things coaching at Miami,'' Golden said. "We have a lot of guys that look for external affirmation. They're looking for, 'Hey, am I on the highlight reel?' or 'Am I on the blogs?' or 'Hey, am I a preseason this or that?' And we've got to get away from that. We've got to get to being a team that executes every day and is process driven and let the outcome take care of itself."

It appears that some Hurricanes might not always "be on the same page on offense, defense and special teams,'' Golden said, "and part of that, to be quite honest, is humbling for the kids because many of them think they're way better than they are and they just have to understand that they have to execute their role, no matter what that role is.''

In closing, Golden said North Carolina (5-1, 1-1 ACC) is the best team they have seen this year. "No question about it,'' he said. "The quarterback is playing really well right now. They have the most talented offensive line. They're running the ball really well on offense. On defense, they're doing an excellent job, really physical up front. And I know in their minds they think they should be 6-0.

Anyone else notice that almost every quarterback (OSU qb the exception) that plays against UM seems to be a star that week?

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

Al Golden's Sunday transcription: Defensive woes, injuries, Seantrel, Lamar and more

UM coach Al Golden spoke for 15 minutes Sunday after reviewing game film of Saturday's heartbreaking 38-35 loss at Virginia Tech. Here's a quick bullet item before we get to the transcription:

> With the Canes banged up at defensive tackle, Golden said he gave the okay at halftime to burn the redshirt of true freshman Corey King. King along with senior Micanor Regis, junior Darius Smith and true freshman Olsen Pierre who "is healthy again" according to Golden may be the only healthy available defensive tackles in next Saturday's game at North Carolina.

Asked if he might switch someone over from the offensive line or defensive end to play defensive tackle, Golden said: "No. We'd rather go with King and train somebody who is going to be there long term."

As for Adewale Ojomo, who didn't play a snap in the second half after getting injured, Golden said he had "no idea of his status right now."

TRANSCRIPTION

Q: It was a tough loss. What did you tell the team after the game?

A: "I'm not really too much concerned about myself. I'm process oriented. I'm going to get back at it today. We've moved on now. It's time to get going and see how much better we can get. In terms of the team, I think they know the things they did that were good. We stick together. We had some leadership from some guys that to be quite honest hadn't stepped up. They stepped up. Both at halftime and during the game. We needed that. We have unity. We stayed together. We didn't splinter. It could have gotten real ugly down 21-7. On the road in Blacksburg. It could have gotten ugly. The guys didn't let them do that. We outscored them 21-14 in the second half. If you have said 'Coach you're going to get 519 yards of offense and you won't turn the ball over, I never thought I would feel the way I feel this morning."

Q: Is there any part of defense you are satisfied with?

A: "I think our will linebacker is a great player. He prepares and works his tail off. I think Sean Spence is exactly what we're looking for. Clearly, we've been pleased with JoJo Nicolas. Jimmy Gaines I thought played really, really well. Played hard. Chickillo continues to be a guy we feel we can build around. Brandon McGee is making a lot of progress, quietly making a lot of progress. We have a long way to go on defense -- that's the bottomline. We have a long way to go."

Q: Does anything concern you more on defense than others?

A: "It's everything in general. Again, it's just hard to get to get any continuity. I think Ray-Ray [Armstrong] would be the first to tell you he didn't play well. It was his first game out there in this defense and it looked like it. He did not perform the way he's capable of performing. He has a long way to go in terms of his development. We hope this week for him won't be Game 1 to Game 2. You hope you make a lot of progress and get back to work. Clearly we have issues on the defensive line. We've had a lot of combinations on the defense. We just need some of the younger guys to keep coming along. Darius Smith is in his fifth game and Denzel Perrryman. Hopefully we Adewale healthy. He'll give us some help inside I think. Shayon Green played more. Kelvin Cain played more for us. I think McGee is getting better. We just have to keep going."

Q: How much does the lack of depth on the defensive line and inexperience in the secondary dictate scheme at this point?

A: "It's all dictated by personnel. I'm not going to tell our opposition. These questions are tough to answer. You don't want to tell the opposition exactly what they are. I know they're good coaches and they can see. But I don't want to help the along the way. But clearly the playcalling, the actual structure of defense, the personnel groupings -- that is all dictated by our depth. If we do have to protect a certain area, I don't think there's any question about that. We're not a defense right now that can line up -- they play schemes too. We can't just line up let 'em loose. We're not that kind of unit right now. We have to build and hopefully we'll continue to make progress."

Q: You have to play your first three conference games on the road how do you feel about that?

A: "I'm responsible for coaching the team and getting them ready to play. You have to play them home or away. We have to develop a no excuse mentality around here. That's one of the issues. We have to get to the point where we're not making excuses no matter where we are or who we play or what time we play. That's the way the conference designed it. Discussing it or being upset about it, none of that isn't going to help us get ready for Saturday.

Q: Did Virginia Tech passing as much as they did surprise you?

A: "I don't know if it was a surprise. I think going into the game we wanted to stop the running back and the running game. We were doing that early on. I can't remember what Davis' numbers were at the half. Now, we didn't stop him, but we had him in check at the half. I think he was in the 60s or low 50s, I'm not sure. We just gave up too many explosive plays. That's part of the issue right now. We're giving up deep ones. We score a touchdown to take the lead. We kick out of bounds. Next play they score. You just can't win doing that. Again, we get in an environment like that Saturday, get nine penalties. I can't tell you how disappointing that is -- that we're still getting selfish penalties in a game like that. It's bothersome for sure."

Q: How much did Seantrel Henderson play and are you hoping to get more playing time from him at North Carolina

A: "We're hoping he'll get more. The problem is [Jonathan] Feliciano has something to say about that. That's the deal. Feliciano, just like B-Wash at left tackle, B-Wash is kind of boxing out [Malcolm] Bunche. If Bunche wants to play more he's going to have to beat him out in practice. Clearly, that's the same situation over there. Feliciano is grading out well. If Seantrel wants to beat him out he's going to have to beat him out in practice to get more reps. Seantrel played 24 reps in the game and did a good job. He's making progress. We know he's got to keep his weight down. Now you're talking two full weeks of football practice, now this will be his third.  Hopefully he'll continue  to make progress. He brings energy. He has all the tools. He just has to get to the point where he shows he can beat out Feliciano or show he's one of the best five. The hard part is Linder, Horn and Gunn are playing so well there's just not enough room to move inside. Those guys are doing so great, they're grading over 90 a game."

Q: Henderson did help Saturday didn't he on a big third down conversion near the goalline?

A: "I don't think there's any question he brings energy to the game. He loves the game. It's just hard right now to say he's playing better than Feliciano."

Q: Can you expand on what you meant by the selfish penalties?

A: "The penalties we've had. You're going to have an operational penalty in that environment. I understand that. I would prefer to have none. But if it happens, OK, I get it. 5-yard [illegal] motion, OK. But Seantrel got a personal foul. [Freshman linebacker Gionni] Paul got a personal foul. Ray-Ray Armstrong just got a horrendous penalty on a 3rd and 7. We're going to get the ball back 14-7 at around 40 with a two-minute drill and try to tie it up at the half. Instead, they convert and score. So that was a dagger. Jake's kickoff wasn't selfish, but certainly unacceptable. The next play they score on a 60-yarder. I think three of them are selfish in nature, personal in nature. We have to get them cleaedn up. But I'm real disappointed to go into an environment like that, don't turn the ball over, get 500 yards of offense and something we can control like penalties turns out to be a major factor in the game. That should never be that way. I'm going to continue to work until it gets fixed here."

Q: Lamar Miller is third in the country in rushing yardage. Is he in a zone right now?

A: "I wouldn't call it a zone. The last two weeks he wasn't running like he was running last night when he was running like he was running against Ohio State. Clearly, he's healthier now than he had been the previous two weeks. In fairness to the kid and appreciation for what the kid really worked through, he was really struggling with that shoulder for a couple weeks there. And he fought through it.  I'm proud of him. He and Michael [James] were running the way they're capable of running. And that's what we're going to need here the rest of the season. We're going to need that type of running. Clearly, Eduardo is carving out a little niche for himself. That's what we need. I think Lamar really ran hard. He really finished his runs and so did Michael. And I think the offensive line was finishing better."

Q: Is the offense just going to have to carry the load moving forward?

A: "I don't think there's any question. We're all watching the same game. We're trying to do everything right now on defense. We've had multiple defense lineups. But we've got to stay healthy. We got to get some guys back. I don't know if at any point if we'll get guys back. Hopefully we'll get Ojomo back. And a week from now we'll get Vernon back. Hopefully we'll get to the point where Chickillio, Perryman and some of those other young guys are no longer playing like freshmen.

Q: You said it was an emotional halftime, what happened?

A: "I thought we were very calm at the half. There was a lot of good teaching going on. I think the one thing these kids are going to learn about our staff is we try to be consistent, we try to be the same guys -- no matter what. That's what we have to learn as an organization. Even at the three minute mark when we go ahead. We don't know how many times those last three minutes the ball is going to exchange hands. We just have to prepare to be a team that keeps working in a two minute situation or a four minute situation. We did that initially at the half. I said a few words and then a couple guys stepped up that hadn't stepped up. We left the room. I thought it was critical for guys to get out of their comfort zone and clearly they did that. They thought they were going to win and they believed in each other."

Gameday blog: Canes at Virginia Tech

The Hurricanes (2-2) take on the 21st-ranked Virginia Tech Hokies (4-1) at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va. seeking to avoid an 0-2 start in ACC play. The last time UM started 0-2 in the ACC? 2008 when they lost to North Carolina and Florida State at home in back-to-back games. Saturday's kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. The game can be seen on ABC in the Southeast and on ESPN throughout most of the rest of the country (except parts of Texas, etc). Here is your Canes' TV coverage map.

> ABOUT THE HOKIES: Virginia Tech is coming off a 23-3 loss to Clemson at home a week ago. The Hokies haven't lost back-to-back games at home since 2002. The Hokies rolled to a 31-7 win the last time the Canes came to Lane Stadium. UM has only won one of the last five meetings. The Hokies lost five starters on each side of the ball from last year's ACC championship team including quarterback Tyrod Taylor. This Hokies team still has plenty of playmakers on offense, led by star tailback David Wilson (7th in nation in rushing), cornerback Jayron Hosley (3 INTs) and defensive ends J.R. Collins (leads ACC with 4.5 sacks) and James Gayle (3.5 sacks). Virginia Tech's national rankings on defense: 2nd vs. rush (58.20), 4th in total yards (249.60) and 29th versus the pass (191.40). The Hokies are also currently ranked 2nd in the nation in time of possession (35:48).

> WHAT TO WATCH FOR THE CANES: There have been two big injuries on UM's defense in the aftermath of the Bethune-Cookman win: starting strongside linebacker Ramon Buchanan (knee) and defensive tackle Marcus Forston (knee) have both been lost for the season. The Canes, ranked 105th in run defense, will suit up four healthy defensive tackles Saturday: Micanor Regis, Darius Smith, Olsen Pierre and former defensive end Adewale Ojomo. Tailbacks Mike James and Lamar Miller have also been playing banged up for the Canes, who on the positive side should get more production this week from sophomore tackle Seantrel Henderson. Hard-hitting safety Ray-Ray Armstrong is also back this week from suspension UM. If there is something the Canes may be able to exploit against Tech it's special teams. While that may sound surprising considering Frank Beamer's team has shined for so long on that side of the ball, Virginia Tech actually ranks 117th in net punting. UM's Travis Benjamin has had long returns in back-to-back weeks for UM and may be able to break one. In two games versus the Hokies, Jacory Harris is 10 of 27 for 153 yards with one interception.

> MY PICK: Virginia Tech 34, UM 21. The Hokies aren't as good a football team as they were a year ago -- Clemson showed us that. But the Hokies still have plenty of weapons on both sides of the ball and it's hard to picture them losing back-to-back games at home. Are the Canes totally overmatched? No. But the problems on run defense are very real. This team sorely misses Allen Bailey, Colin McCarthy and Brandon Harris, who all were exceptional on run defense. Ray-Ray will provide a lift. But the Hokies know how to ground and pound. They ran for 251 yards against UM a year ago. And against UM this season, that's all you really need to be able to do well to have success. 

Walford eager to help Canes tight ends get in the end zone; Golden talks Forston injury

CORAL GABLES -- Do you remember the last time a Hurricanes tight end caught a pass and got into the end zone?

Clive Walford does. He did it.

Late in the second quarter of UM's 24-6 win at home over Ohio State three weeks ago, Walford caught a pass at about the Buckeyes' 5-yard line, faked two defenders out of their shoes and waltzed into the end zone. The 6-4, 245-pound redshirt freshman from Belle Glade was so pumped about scoring his first career touchdown, he leaped into the arms of guard Harland Gunn and pumped his fist.

But then, the excitement was tempered. UM was penalized for an illegal formation on the play because receiver Tommy Streeter was not lined up with the ball.

"When they called it back I was like 'Oh man'," Walford said. "But what could you do? That's football."

Walford let that play go. But the drop at the goalline late in the fourth quarter against Kansas State a week later -- that's eaten at him a little. UM (2-2) would have rallied to take the lead on the Wildcats had Walford held onto the slightly under thrown pass from Jacory Harris. Instead, the Canes tried unsuccessfully at running it in from 2-yards out on its next three plays and lost 28-24.

Last week against Bethune-Cookman, Walford hauled in an 11-yard pass from Harris, but promptly fumbled it away.

Frustration? Walford said he isn't letting it enter his system. Instead, he's facing his woes head on and taking it all as part of the growth process.

"I wouldn't say any of it is tough luck. I just have to execute," Walford said. "They're giving me the opportunity. I just got to step up and make plays.

"I was supposed to catch that ball [versus Kansas State]. It hit my hands, I dropped it. It was a tough catch. But when it comes down to it, I have to make that catch. I had a chance to help my team win that game and I didn't come through. The following week, I was going hard in practice, got extra work in on that same play to make sure I executed the next time my number was called.

"As for the fumble, when I caught it, as I was tucking it and started running with it, someone came and hit me and it just came out. I didn't even see where the defender was. It happens. The key is not letting it happen again."

The Hurricanes, averaging 29.25 points on offense per game (62nd out of 120 FBS schools), haven't necessarily needed a lot from their tight ends this season. But their production has been minimal. Through four games, Chase Ford (3 catches, 34 yards), Walford (3 catches, 19 yards) and Asante Cleveland (1 catch, 6 yards) have been virtually transparent. That's been pretty surprising considering UM coach Al Golden talked a lot in the preseason about how the tight ends were going to be more involved.

Golden said Tuesday, "it's not like we're dissatisfied with how they're playing... we just have to get more opportunities to get the tight ends involved."

Still, it's now been 15 games since a UM tight end scored a touchdown -- that's when Ford hauled in a 9-yard touchdown pass from Harris with 14:52 to play at Ohio State on Sept. 11, 2010.

While the Canes hves been efficient in their red zone opportunities (UM has scored touchdowns on 8 of 12 trips), both losses can be attributed some to failures in the red zone. Aside from the Kansas State loss, UM had a chance against Maryland to score a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. Instead, the Canes settled for a field goal and 24-23 lead with 4:01 to play. Maryland came back down the field and hit the go-ahead field goal before icing the game on an interception return for a touchdown.

Could this be the week UM's tight ends finally break out and get in the end zone? Well last week, Clemson tight end Dwayne Allen had four catches for 75 yards and a touchdown in the Tigers' 23-3 win in Blacksburg.

After three rough weeks, Walford would certainly love to follow Allen's lead.

"As long as we're winning, that's all that matters to me," Walford said. "But it would be pretty sweet to get to get in that end zone again. And this time hopefully it counts."

MORE NEWS AND NOTES

> Al Golden said Walford has "worked really well on his hands, but he's an infant in terms of football. He has a large upside, and he's just starting his football intelligence and learning the game and everything. He's a guy we should be getting the ball to better."

But, Golden added: "He's a guy that should be doing it in practice like [Tommy] Streeter and Travis [Benjamin] are doing. Streeter and Travis' practice habits are markedly better than they were even at the start of the year. We need that from Clive so quarterbacks can trust him and carry that over to the game."

> Jacory Harris said Walford's blocking has improved and what he likes most about him is that "he's not someone that complains or anything. He just goes out there, does his job."

"And because of that, I'm sure something special is going to happen for him before the end of the year," Harris said.

> Golden has said multiple times this week he hasn't been happy with the Hurricanes' struggles on third and fourth down and short yardage situations.

"Unacceptable," Golden said of the struggles. "Any criticism there is more than fair. We have to do a better job there. We have to decide what we want our identity to be there. We've tried a multitude of things there. We just have to settle in. but clearly when it's one yard and the game is on the line we have to be able to get that via the run. That's going to be critical for us."

UM has been in 13 situations this season where they've needed one yard to either convert a third or fourth down or score -- the most infamous being in the loss at Kansas State. After beginning the season converting 5 of its first 7 attempts in those situations, UM has converted just once over it's last six tries, starting with the loss to the Wildcats.

"It's on all of us," Golden said Sunday. "... We have to look at the schemes from Jedd [Fisch] and the offensive staff, look at our execution, look at whose hands [we're putting the ball in] for those situations."

> Golden went on the Dan LeBatard Show on 790TheTicket Thursday and discussed the season-ending injury to defensive tackle Marcus Forston.

"Brutal," Golden said. "I feel bad for the young man. That's a position we've just been crushed at. Luther Robinson has been out so far for every game. Curtis Porter has been out for every game. Now Marcus is out. It's been brutal in there at defensive tackle. Again, I feel bad for the young man. It will be a three month recovery. He'll come back and be fine. Right now we need the next young man to step up and play better for us."

And now, MORE bad news: Hurricanes defensive tackle Forston out for the rest of the season with knee injury, AND DT Luther Robinson and DE/DT Jalen Grimble just announced injured and out for Va Tech

Cane fans, even more bad news for the Hurricanes, per UM, in addition to University of Miami defensive tackle Marcus Forston suffering a non-contact knee injury during practice on Wednesday (Oct. 5) and being out for the remainder of the season.

This just released in UM's injury report: D-linemen Luther Robinson (tackle) and Jalen Grimble (end/tackle) have "lower extremity'' injuries and are out this week for Virginia Tech game.

Forston, the junior Miami native, had five total tackles and a sack in three games as a starter this season.  Forston earned a medical redshirt following the 2009 season, in which he played in three games but did not record a tackle.  He still has one year of eligibility remaining and will be a senior in 2012.

Forston is the second defensive starter to suffer a season ending injury in the last week.  LB Ramon Buchanon was injured in the Bethune-Cookman game and will miss the remainder of the 2011 season. Coach Golden said that he is hopeful Buchanon will receive a medical-hardship and be able to compete in 2012.

Also out for the season with injuries are TE Cory White, OL Eric Lichter, TE Blake Ayles and DL Curtis Porter.

    OK, so the Canes, who play at No. 21 Virginia Tech, are getting too used to facing adversity. Now we know that moving Adewale Ojomo to defensive tackle was the right thing to do. The Hurricanes also lost fellow defensive tackle Curtis Porter to the season, something that was announced last week. Porter didn't play at all this season. 

   You have to feel horrible for Forston, who really was determined to make a comeback this season. Actually, that whole defensive line is in dire need of some help.

   UM was almost done getting all its suspended players back, too. Two more games before defensive end Olivier Vernon returns from suspension. The Canes need him badly. Vernon will be back for Georgia Tech.

   For those who still don't know, the Hokies this week also lost starting defensive tackle Antoine Hopkins for the rest of the season.

--SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

Always a good time for a feel-good story

If you're looking at the glass half empty, Shayon Green is an unfortunate soul.

If you're looking at it half full like I am, Shayon Green is a medical marvel.

Green, a Hurricanes defensive end, played his first snaps on defense last Saturday against Bethune-Cookman -- 41 for the game, he said. But what's most impressive is that he did it six months after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee -- for the second time!

The redshirt sophomore tore his right ACL the first time in fall camp as a freshman. This last time he did it at the end of March during spring practice. "I was the defensive end coming off the edge and I guess I stepped wrong,'' he said.

"I never quit.''

Golden rewarded Green's grit by giving him substantial playing time last week. Last year he played minimally on special teams.

"Really tough kid,'' Golden said of Green, who came to UM in 2009 as a middle linebacker with 225 pounds on his 6-3 frame. Golden switched him to end in the spring and he now weighs 255.

"First of all, an amazing story on his part just to be able to do what he did Saturday,'' Golden said. "Unbelievable. Just the amount of work he put into it. [It's] also a credit to our doctors for him to be able to come back that quickly. I had no idea. He brings a real presence, a toughness and explosiveness that we need."

Golden said Green's move to end helped the Hurricanes "make some moves,'' such as Adwale Ojomo going from end to tackle. "We'll continue to use him more.''

Green is from Tifton, Ga., and was rated the No. 65 weakside defensive end prospect in the nation by rivals.com, when he played for Tifton County High.

Green had three tackles against Bethune, including sharing in a tackle-for-loss with Marcus Robinson in the red zone.

"The first play I was so excited I guess I overdid it,'' he said of last week. "As the game went on, I got more comfortable at it.''

Did he think he'd be back on the field so soon?

"No, I didn't think I'd be back this quick,'' Green said. "The doctors told me I had seven to eight months and I set a goal and reached it, accomplished it early. It was very easy the second time because I knew what to do, knew how to accomplish thing.''

He had surgery in April.

"My knee is great. It's back to 100 percent,'' Green said. "It's not bothering me at all.''

He said his doctor said he had never seen a recovery quite like his.

"It made me feel great,'' Green said. "I put in so much work for it. I deserve it. I think I needed a break.''

--SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

 

 

Seantrel Henderson willing to fight through a little back pain for the Canes

CORAL GABLES -- Seantrel Henderson isn't 100 percent healthy -- that much is clear. But the 6-8, 345-pound sophomore offensive tackle wasn't going to sit this season out. And now his plan is to give the Canes' offensive line whatever he can moving forward.

Henderson saw his first action of the season Saturday versus Bethune-Cookman and saw 11 offensive snaps and a couple snaps on extra points. It wasn't anything special. But considering Henderson had back surgery August 8th to repair a herniated disc and was told by doctors initially he would miss the entire 2011 season, the fact Henderson has returned to a Canes uniform this quickly can be seen as a victory all around.

"I was kind of getting like depressed just sitting there watching my teammates play everyday and not being able to do anything," Henderson said Tuesday -- the first time the Freshman All-American has been allowed to speak with the media since injuring his back in the spring.

"They told me I was supposed to miss the season. I didn't think I was going to be back this year. I think it was just the rehab and treatment I was getting everyday [that helped me get back]. I was just working hard."

Although he likely won't start at right tackle Saturday against Virginia Tech, Henderson said Tuesday he's ready for more action. And that's good news for a UM offensive line that will have the challenge of slowing down a Hokies pass rush that has produced 15 sacks in 5 games. UM, meanwhile, has allowed four sacks in four games.

"I haven’t been to Blacksburg but I’ve heard it’s real loud so we have hand gestures and all sorts of things to help us communicate well with each other,” Henderson said.

As for how he injured his back in the spring, Henderson said he was doing squats in the UM weight room when he "just kind of felt my leg just go dead, numb.

"I didn't know what it was," Henderson said. "I thought I just pulled a hip muscle or something like that. I didn't get an MRI until the day before our spring game. Then I knew."

Although his pain has subsided some since the surgery, Henderson said he still feels it every now and then and did so Saturday against Bethune-Cookman. The coaching staff has limited his leg work in the weight room to help prevent a further flare up.

"I just got to make sure I get my rehab in every day as far as ice tubs and ice in my back and heat just to make sure I'm doing everything so I don't have too much strain in my back," Henderson said.

Throughout his rehab, Henderson said he's maintained his weight at 345 pounds -- 40 pounds lighter than where he came in at last year. He said while he couldn't work out as hard with his legs because of the injury he kept working out his upper body.

Is he back to where he wants to be with his legs? "I'm still working on getting it back," Henderson said. "But I'm pretty close."

Eventually, Henderson's future will be at left tackle for UM. But right now, he said he just wants to get back on the field and help.

"He looked pretty good out there to me today," defensive tackle Adewale Ojomo said of Henderson Tuesday. "Me and Seantrel, we went at it today. He's a very strong, physical guy. Either you're the hammer or you're the nail, and I wasn't going to be the nail today. He was putting guys on their butt -- just not me."

Perryman eager to fill in for Buchanan, help Canes plug leaky run defense

CORAL GABLES -- The Miami Hurricanes lost one of their veteran leaders at linebacker when Ramon Buchanan went down with a season-ending right knee injury last Saturday.

At the end of this season, UM will lose another when Sean Spence graduates and heads off to the NFL. The future? Denzel Perryman plans to be a big part of that.

The 6-foot, 217-pound freshman from Coral Gables High will not get his first college start Saturday at Virginia Tech. Jordan Futch told us Tuesday he'll replace Buchanan in the starting lineup at strongside linebacker. But Perryman, currently seventh on the team with 16 tackles, knows he'll be counted on to play in the rotation plenty in Blacksburg as UM tries to figure out ways to plug its leaky run defense.

"Coach has kind of been talking to me about it. Telling me to be ready [to play more]," Perryman said. "When I first came in, I didn't have any clue. Sean Spence, Ramon Buchanan, all the older guys, kind of helped me, sat down with me after practice, went over the playbook with me.

"Consistency wise, day by day I get better. I've still messed up on a couple things that I need to work on. But I'll be alright."

On Monday, Golden said Perryman's biggest issue has been a lack of consistency. "Obviously he was focused Saturday," Golden said of Perryman, who had a career-high seven tackles against Bethune-Cookman. "He prepared well, showed up on special teams and on first and second down. He had a couple of shots on the nickel. [But] consistency is the biggest thing there."

On the team's depth chart, Perryman is listed as the backup to Spence at weakside linebacker. But, he said, "depending on the calls I'll line up on the strong side." Sophomore Kelvin Cain, who had a 59-yard interception return for a touchdown versus Bethune-Cookman on a pass that was deflected right into his hands, is listed as the backup at strongside linebacker and will also play in the rotation.

No matter who is in there the Hurricanes (2-2) have to figure out a way to play better run defense. After giving up 219 yards to the Wildcats last Saturday, UM's run defense fell from 99th to 105th nationally (202.25 yards per game).

"I think it's pretty much just missed tackles," Perryman said of UM's troubles. "We get there, get in position and just have to wrap up. [Defensive coordinator Mark] D'Onofrio calls a great defense. Everybody has to do their job, fill gaps."

Virginia Tech, second in the country in run defense, own the ACC's second best run offense behind Georgia Tech at a 196-yard per game clip. Tailback David Wilson ranks seventh nationally with 127.80 yards per game.

"I watched film yesterday with Sean Spence. We're pretty much going to have wrap up and run our feet," Perryman said. "He's a tough runner. He keeps his feet moving. We have to put a hat on him every play."

While Perryman will split time at linebacker, he'll continue to be counted on heavily on special teams. After four games, he is tied with Andrew Swasey for the team lead in special teams tackles with four. Considering Perryman only punted and kicked off in high school (he started at linebacker since his freshman year), he's really turned out to be a pleasant surprise on a unit he never had much experience with.

"When they first put me on [special teams], I was kind of nervous about it," Perryman said. "It was college. Big leagues. Everything was fast. I wasn't used to it. Doing it in practice with scouts giving me a good look got me ready. I've kind of a got a habit of just running down there fast and making sure nobody hits me until I get to the ball."

LB Ramon Buchanan out with "season-ending injury;'' WR Dorsett (leg/groin) still hurting -- and newest depth chart just released

We just spoke with Coach Al Golden, who was not in an especially pleasant mood.

Here's the newest scoopage, per UM:

"University of Miami Head Coach Al Golden has announced that senior linebacker Ramon Buchanan suffered  a season-ending injury in the first quarter of the game against Bethune-Cookman.

 Buchanan started the first four games for the Canes, tallying 18 tackles, including two for five yards lost. Buchanan blocked a field goal against Kansas State, marking the first blocked kick by UM since 2004."

Buchanan, a fourth-year senior, has not redshirted and should be able to use this season for a medical hardship waiver. If granted the medical hardship waiver, he would be able to compete next season.

Golden wouldn't say what body part Buchanan injured, but it's pretty clear from the game that it was his right knee. Golden said Buchanan will be undergoing surgery, but didn't say when.

The Canes were wearing shorts and jerseys, no pads, no helmets this morning.

Of the guys who seemed to be physically hurting during the Bethune-Cookman game, all were at practice except for Buchanan.  

Golden said Sunday of wide receiver Phillip Dorsett: "He hurt his leg [and/or groin] in some capacity. He couldn't go. Hopefully it's something that will loosen up on him during the week.''

We did see Dorsett today, but Golden just informed us that of the injured guys, Dorsett was hurting the most. "We'll see by the end of the week,'' the coach said. "He's a little bit more injured than those [other] guys."

The players who WERE at practice Monday, though I really don't know how extensively they practiced: running backs Lamar Miller and Mike James, cornerbacks Brandon McGee and Lee Chambers and Dorsett.

 Golden said Chambers and McGee "should be fine. One had a cramp (McGee) and one had a bruise (Chambers) that they just wanted to be careful with in terms of an X-ray.''

Here's the link to the newest depth chart for Virginia Tech game: http://hurricanesports.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/041811aab.html

Note that LB Jordan Futch OR Kelvin Cain are starting on the outside, opposite Sean Spence, who is backed up by Denzel Perryman, with Jimmy Gaines and Gionni Paul in the middle.

At left defensive tackle it says Marcus Forston OR Adewale Ojomo (the former DE).

Freshman Anthony Chickillo is starting again at right defensive end.

Also, at free safety it says Vaughn Telemaque OR Ray-Ray Armstrong (returning this week from suspension).

At left offensive tackle, it says Brandon Washington OR Malcolm Bunche.

At right tackle, it says Jon Feliciano OR Seantrel Henderson.

At running back, Eduardo Clements is listed after starter Lamar Miller, with an OR between Clements and Mike James.

 --SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

 

 

Buchanan will have MRI on his right knee; Canes banged up heading into Va. Tech

SUN LIFE STADIUM -- Just when they were starting to get some guys back, the Canes lost a few to injury on Saturday.

Starting strongside linebacker Ramon Buchanan, fifth on the team in tackles coming in, was injured in the first quarter and watched from the sideline with crutches nearby and an ice pack on his right knee. UM coach Al Golden said he was worried about Buchanan and would know more about his injury after an MRI is performed -- maybe as late as Sunday.

"I'm sad for him," said linebacker Sean Spence, who led UM with eight tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss. "I don't know what the injury is. I don't know if it's bad or good. But I told him I'm going to pray for him. Hopefully everything is okay. [He means] a lot. He's a senior. He's been four years. He brings a lot of energy to the defense. It's sad to see him go down like that."

Senior Jordan Futch and true freshman Denzel Perryman filled in for Buchanan, who has started 16 games in his career. Perryman finished with a career-high seven tackles.

"Here we have a next man in mentality," Spence said. "Denzel has been coming off the bench, making a lot of plays, bringing energy to the defense and the team."

Others who left Saturday with injuries: cornerbacks Brandon McGee and Lee Chambers and freshman receiver Phillip Dorsett. McGee, making his fourth straight start, left in the second half and tried loosening himself up on the sideline, but never returned. Chambers, injured in the second half, had x-rays performed on him after the game. Dorsett, who caught two passes for 16 yards, was in street clothes on the UM sideline in the second half.

On the positive side for UM: sophomore Seantrel Henderson, who had back surgery August 8th, saw his first action of the season on a pair of first half extra points before finally getting in at right tackle in the second half. Malcolm Bunche, who sat out against Kansas State for an undisclosed reason, came in for a series in the first half at left tackle and played some in the second half. Defensive end Shayon Green saw action for the first time this season.

Safety Ray-Ray Armstrong, suspended for the first four games of the season by the NCAA, will be back next Saturday at Virginia Tech.

"I know he's ready to play," Spence said. "He's been itching pretty bad. He's been waiting for this opportunity. Sitting and watching these games, I know it's been killing him. I've been talking to him and I know he's happy it's over."

STREETER SHINES

"Touchdown" Tommy Streeter is beginning to live up to his old nickname -- the one he earned when he and Jacory Harris were stars at Miami Northwestern High.

Streeter only had two catches Saturday, but both went for touchdowns -- a 56-yarder and a 27-yarder. UM's second-leading receiver coming in, Streeter had six catches for 156 yards and 1 touchdown prior to this season. He now has 12 catches for 213 yards and a team-leading three touchdown catches. All three TD catches have come in the last six quarters.

"He's finally coming out of his shell and showing what type of player he is," Harris said of Streeter, who celebrated his second TD catch Saturday by chest bumping offensive tackle Joel Figueroa and nearly falling to the ground after it.

Said Streeter: "Sometimes when I think back to a play being called, I think back to my high school days and I go into that mentality. I'm having fun again."

As for the chest bump with Fig, Streeter said: "I was talking to him about that on the sideline. I said 'Bro, you're coming at me with a full head of steam.' I kind of gathered myself and then I fell. It was a funny moment."

GOLDEN SAID CANES DIDN'T COME OUT FLAT

Despite trailing after the first quarter 7-0 to a Football Championship Subdivision team, UM coach Al Golden didn't think his team came out flat.

"They came out on fire with nine days to prepare. We knew they would have new wrinkles, be more rested and they were," Golden said. "What I didn't expect was three penalties in the first drive to give them the points. That can't happen -- especially on defense."

After giving up 219 yards rushing to Bethune-Cookman, Golden said the Canes still have a long way to go when it comes to tackling.

"We're getting a lot of open field tackles right now," Golden said. "Too many times were isolated or lose leverage. That's apparent whether its the first team or the second or third team that was in there at the end of the game. That's our football intelligence. That's understanding where you help is and your leverage. Again, we're going to face it like we face anything right now -- head on. We're not going to sideswipe it."

Golden said Harris continues to play well at quarterback. Harris finished 12 of 17 for 175 yards and two touchdowns. That, following a strong second half against Kansas State.

"I'm pleased with what he's doing. A couple of times there he's trying to make something happen where he doesn't need to," Golden said. "He just needs to put the ball away and run. He'll learn from that. It's his third game now in a new system. I think he's playing winning football right now and excited about the direction he's going."

Golden said the reason Mike James only had one carry Saturday was because he was still banged up from the K-State win. He also tried to limit Lamar Miller's touches. Miller carried 14 times for 102 yards and 2 TDs.

"He's just going to need another week until he's ready to go," Golden said of James. "Those two guys are fighting through it a little bit. I was real pleased with Lamar's effort. I think he did a real good job just being patient. Again, he didn't get as many touches. That was probably by design. We didn't want to get him in that 25-30 range."

> Backup quarterback Stephen Morris saw his first action since the Maryland loss and finished 3 for 3 for 34 yards.

Gameday blog: UM vs. Bethune-Cookman

SUN LIFE STADIUM -- The Hurricanes (1-2) take on Bethune-Cookman (2-1) in the first meeting ever between in the in-state programs. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. on ESPNU.

> ABOUT THE WILDCATS: B-CC's offensive coordinator Rob Spence was a member of Al Golden's staff at Temple as his wide receivers coach in 2010. The Wildcats, picked to finish second in the MEAC after a 10-2 season a year ago, rank fifth in the FCS in scoring at 38.67 points per game on offense and are led by former Mississippi running back Rodney Scott. The 5-9, 200-pound junior has run for 231 yards on 32 carries to lead a Wildcats rushing attack that averaged 217.3 yards a game. Receiver Eddie Poole (6-3, 195) is a legitimate pass catching threat and leads the Wildcats with 16 receptions for 165 yards and three TDs. Defensively, Bethune-Cookman has created 11 turnovers in their first three games and ranks third in pass efficiency defense in the FCS. 

> WHAT TO WATCH FOR THE CANES: How UM handles the Wildcats read option, wide receiver screens and quick strike offense. UM ranks 99th in the nation in run defense and figures to once again have trouble defending the run -- even if it is B-CC. Offensively, running backs Lamar Miller (shoulder) and Mike James (shoulder) are expected to play, but could be limited after wearing non-contact jerseys for UM's first two practices this week. Look for Eduardo Clements, Darion Hall and Maurice Hagens to get some more work. UM coach Al Golden said tackle Seantrel Henderson, returning from back surgery, should get about 20 snaps this week.

> MY PICK: UM 34, Bethune-Cookman 22. The Hurricanes have serious issues on defense -- particularly at defensive tackle, linebacker and cornerback. A day like today would be a great opportunity to work on those issues and iron them out. But these Canes really aren't even good enough to do that with ease. I expect the Wildcats to make this game more interesting than you thought they would.