Gameday blog: Canes at Kansas State

The Miami Hurricanes will be taking on 21st-ranked Kansas State at noon this afternoon Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kan. The game can be seen on FX.

Our Susan Miller Degnan is there to cover the game. I will be here at home watching the game on TV like most Canes fans. Feel free to participate in our CoverItLive.com chat below. All you need to do is sign in with your email address.

STORYLINES

LAST WEEK: The Canes are coming off a 41-32 win at Boston College in the opener where they played a dozen true freshmen and rotated a total of 25 players on defense. The freshmen hardly looked as bad as the defense. Duke Johnson earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors after dashing for 135 yards and 2 TDs on just seven carries. Right tackle Ereck Flowers graded out at 94 percent and receiver Malcolm Lewis hauled in four catches and scored a touchdown. Defensively, UM forced three turnovers including a 41-yard interception return for a touchdown by middle linebacker Denzel Perryman. But UM gave up more than 500 yards on defense (including 441 through the air, 3rd most in school history) and blew coverage schemes several times

K-State, which beat UM 28-24 at Sun Life Stadium a year ago, struggled for three quarters against FCS opponent Missouri State last weekend, leading just 9-6 before going on a 42-3 run over the final 22 minutes of the game. Junior running back John Hubert picked up 95 of his 152 yards on 12 carries on a long touchdown run. Tramaine Thompson returned a punt 89 yards for a score, giving K-State their 82nd non-offensive TD since the 1999 season, tied for most in the country with Virginia Tech. Quarterback Collin Klein, who lit up UM a year ago and whom Golden referred to as the best running QB in the country Tuesday, finished 19 of 28 for 169 yards, 2 TDs against Missouri State. The Wildcats gave up 323 yards through the air to Missouri State, but were pretty stingy on run defense (95 yards on 26 attempts).

INJURIES/SUSPENSIONS: The Hurricanes come into the game relatively healthy (only DT Curtis Porter and LB Raphael Kirby are out among those listed on the two deep). Backup defensive tackle Luther Robinson (personal issues) did not make the trip. The Wildcats have three players listed as questionable: OL Nick Puetz (foot), OLB Boston Stiverson (foot), TE Andre McDonald (personal issues). Puetz is the starting left guard. McDonald and Stiverson aren't listed on the two-deep.

> For more on K-State read up here.

Comments

[CanesThang!]

Lets Go Canes!!!

[Amp]

I am so sick of everybody saying that K. State is going to win. I don't see that happening. We are a bigger, faster and stronger team then last year. Our LB'S are now weighting in the 230's not in the 210's as last year's team.

[Naples Dave]

How about a shout for "Got Some Canes over Here". This is going to be a good game. K-state is a well coach team and does not make many mental mistakes. We will need to score some points which I believe we will. Final score Miami 31-K-State 24.

[Georgia Cane]

I watched Duke's big plays over and over. What's impressive is that he broke three tackles and used a stiff-arm to break free. He looked like a mix between Frank Gore and Clinton Portis. Hope that are Receivers don't drop balls. Also, hope our Deffense plays better. I think we are faster than K-State, but we can't make mistakes. If we do win, Look out! I like Naples Dave prediction, sound right. GO CANES!

[Michael Palmer]

LETS GO CANES!

[Joe]

I dont see us losing either. I think being a stronger team and in better condition.....along with the freshman who are playing well....I see us winning this one by at least 14 points.

[rboud]

Golden is right. It will take a Herculean effort today for UM to come out on top. I'd love to see it , but I'm not counting on it. Go Canes!

[mikeS]

this game will come down to OUR offense. short passes will not be enough. nor will 2 long runs from duke. it will take a consistent running game, and downfield passes that are CAUGHT to win this game. and we must outscore them, they will score plenty. our def will be confused alot by this offense. i hope to see some improvement this week, especially on def. it will tell alot about our coaches.

[Eudocimus]

Huge test for coach D'Onofrio and the defense - let's get it done!

Go Canes!

[FightingIbis]

Eudo,

Maybe Coach D can get some help from the offense this week. The offense did go three and out to start the game and then there was that INT shortly after correct. This is a team sport correct? Does the offense take any blame for getting the team down 14 points or is that all on the defense? Offense, Defense, and Special Teams will have to perform flawlessly this week to pull out a win.

Your hate for Coach D is obvious IMO...

[johnny]

this ain't boston college, this is a much better offense and I don't see our defense getting everything together and stopping colin klein, miami will put up some points, but the defense will allow even more, 45-37 K-state.

[MiamiMike]

Go Canes... 2-0

[bill connors]

go canessssssss

[DarinD]

It's showtime, let's go Canes! I do reserve the right to criticize if needed :)

[mat shiltz]

Our lbs need to cover backs out of the backfield! Fullback wide open over the middle!!! Cm on d???? Our d just needs to bend and not break! O is nasty!!! Go canes!!

[Ted]

It would be nice to see Chick make a play

[snug954]

Receivers are too open!! We need to tighten our coverage!

[keith]

Defense stinks ia all I can say : (

[bill connors]

gonna be a long day against this offense

[DarinD]

okay D still need some work

[keith]

wow where is the D line, I cant remember a time we were SOOOO weak on D line : ( shameful start again....

[F. T. Ardkowalczyk]

Mark D'Onofrio? More like Mark Ohnofrio. Worst assistant coach in the history of this program. And Al Foldin' won't fire him because they're the best of friends. Great. Putting personal relationships (and, for two Penn State alums, that's a really scary thought) above winning. Foldin' must go. This is an embarrassment.

[keith]

getting pushed around again , where is the Utuff workout help?? sad....

[Ted]

The defense sucks, no talent

[Joejackson]

Chickallo talking about being 265 and ready for sacks has shown little so far this year. Is even average against the run.

[keith]

they need to wake the F up this isnt BC

[DarinD]

They are arm tackling and not getting balanced to make a form tackle. The basics are what we are missing, could care less how hard you can hit.

[Ted]

Defense looks soft and weak and slow

[mat shiltz]

How does Eddie not hit the qb on that option??? He was waiting for the pitch!!!! What bad defense!

[F. T. Ardkowalczyk]

Kansas State will win this game by 50 points.
This is worse than it was under Randy Shammin'. I do not believe this.

[Joejackson]

Ol line is flat and no energy

[DarinD]

I do not like the play calling, let's put the ball in the control of Morriss

[Joejackson]

The are stacking the line of scrimage and daring maimi to pass.

[F. T. Ardkowalczyk]

Another injury. Another testament to the great strength and conditioning program run by Swasey these past God knows how many years.

[rick]

Ok. Bench mike James and Eddie Johnson(#44). They are terrible!

[ltcdolphin]

Golly you fools. One series and one running play and all is lost. Get behind your team and support.
White heron go away your posts are non sensical

[bill connors]

have to have talent on d to look good as coach, not much talent there.

[Joejackson]

The speed in the Miami WRs is too much for the DBs of Kansas and they should exploit it. That will back those LB off the line of scrimmage.

[F. T. Ardkowalczyk]

Missouri State didn't give up a touchdown to this team until late in the third quarter. Us? First drive. We are worse than Missouri State. Thanks, Al! And thanks for bringing in Eddie Johnson when he had no other major offers! He had no other major offers for a reason! But, hey, you wear a nice tie, Al, and you won a few games at Temple. You're my honey boo boo.

[keith]

OMG why not run duke wTF is wrong here : (

[F. T. Ardkowalczyk]

Eduardo Clements can walk home. Your inclusion in this team is no longer necessary.

[Joejackson]

You run a 185 pounder up the middle and run James at 228 to the oustide...like passing on the goal line at BC last week...strange play calligh.

[bill connors]

wow game set match

[Joejackson]

NO paass rush man was able to look and even double pump. DE at miami are unable to beat one to one with OTs.

[F. T. Ardkowalczyk]

Can't rush the passer, can't stop the run, can't cover, can't tackle.

It's a U thing. You don't want to understand.

Until Shalala is gone, the Hecht Athletic Center may as well be shut down.

[ENOUGH!]

Honestly, D'Onofrio has to be the worst defensive coordinator UM has ever had.

FIRE THIS MAN NOW!!!

[F. T. Ardkowalczyk]

I was wrong. Kansas State won't win by 50. They'll win by 100. Run it up. Bunch of heartless, gutless, apathetic bums.

[mat shiltz]

The worst defense I've ever seen in the history of Miami football!

[keith]

I am embarrassed at these guys wow ashamed actually, where is the heart????? they are getting pushed around like children... and chick??? WTF are you doing?? makes me sick!

[Ted]

K State has run the same 8-9 basic plays.......