Golden said defensive system, tackling needs examination after blowout loss at K-State

UM coach Al Golden defended his defensive coordinator after last week's season-opening win at Boston College, saying he had the utmost confidence in what Mark D'Onofrio was doing. 

Golden sounded a little less emphatic about that after Saturday's 52-13 blowout loss at Kansas State. 

"We're going to look at everything tomorrow and see where we're at from a system standpoint and from a tackling standpoint and get it fixed going into next week," Golden told WQAM color analyst Don Bailey Jr. when asked what he thought the defense could do after giving up 499 yards including 289 on the ground to the Wildcats.

"This is just a tough one. We have to do a good job leaving this here and moving on. We can't let this game beat us twice."

Except from a handful of plays, the Hurricanes were dominated in just about every phase Saturday. As usual, Golden opened his post-game interview with WQAM with the company line after an ugly loss -- by saying there is no excuses.

"They beat us in all three phases, out played us, out coached us. We got to do a better job starting with me. That's it." Golden said. "No excuses."

UM's offense, which produced 34 points in last week's win at BC, produced a total of 264 yards. Freshman tailback Duke Johnson -- except for a 77-yard kickoff return late to setup UM's only touchdown -- had a forgetful day. He finished with 22 yards on 7 carries and had more drops (3) than catches (2 for 20).

"We didn't convert enough on offense. Clearly," Golden said."We didn't get the explosive plays we needed on offense and we didn't get off the field on defense. We had opportunities in the red zone on offense. We didn't score. We never put pressure on them. At the end of the day, we never put any pressure on them with the score. They played from the lead, which is tough to play them from the lead."

Quarterback Stephen Morris finished 19 of 25 for 214 yards, but was sacked a handful of times and fumbled once. Morris also had a shot at the end zone in the second half, but didn't get the block he needed from Mike James and ran out of bounds at the 3-yard line. Kansas State drove the length of the field after that to put UM away.

"Give them credit they did a better job then we did, they got pressure from a four man rush, had him running a little bit," Golden said of Kansas State. "We weren't very sharp in some areas."

UM ran the ball 29 times for a total of 40 yards.

"We never got the running game going for Mike, Duke and OT and got behind," Golden said. "It made it tougher, just compounded for us."

UM turned the ball over three times and produced one turnover -- a leaping interception by cornerback Brandon McGee. But it was the first turnover -- a fumble by Eduardo Clements with UM down 7-0 in the first quarter -- that hurt the most.

"Can't win like that -- especially the one of the first drive was tough. You're going down there to answer, get in a situation where you can compete. It ended up being a big play. We just got to protect the ball better than we did," Golden said.

A number of true freshmen played again for UM including defensive tackle Earl Moore.

"There were a number of guys that got a lot of reps," Golden said. "Again, we got to see how they responded and look at the tape. We can get better and see what changes we need to make and do that."

So what kind of things can UM do to make sure they don't get beat twice as Golden put it after this dreadful loss? Golden didn't really seem to have answer for that really.

"We're going to continue to be the same guys," he said. "We're trying to build a program. We're trying to get back to where we want to be and the way you do that with consistency. I know people want to wave a wand and I don't know if some people thought after 1 week we were right where we needed to be.

"[Winning at Kansas State] is a tough task, a tough out for a lot of people. In the last decade or so I think there's only been three people who have beat them here in the last decade. This is a tough out. Obviously, we were weren't as focused as well as we needed to be. We didn't execute as well as we needed to. That's on me. Bottomline."

Comments

[Paul Ryan]

THE STUD

hahahahaha you sound like a idiot

[VT_Cane]

On another note, Boston College was beating mighty Maine by a score of 7-3 at halftime. Those Maine recruits look good.

[playthefreshmen]

The reason AG hired this dummy as the DC is b/c he is his friend..But the DC sucks hairy balls and needs to be replaced..END OF STORY!!

[defensewinships]

Many years away from having a decent defense let alone
a championship caliber defense. This d-line isnt gonna get fixed in a year or 2.

[hater of bluegum]

what is an african c**k!! one that lies and tells everyone they will fix this country!!! Obama!!

[YEP]

hater of bluegum and Paul Ryan

CANES BLOG ONLY THE MIAMI HERALD SHOULD KICK PEOPLE LIKE YOU OFF.

[Terry King]

LISTEN OF COURSE WE ARE YOUNG BUT THIS DC HAS BEEN HERE NOW OVER A YEAR AND HERE ARE THE PROBLEMS 1) THE D-LINE COACH HAS NO IDEA HOW TO GET HIS LINEMEN TO PUSH UP FIELD! 2) THE DC CANNOT MAKE ADJUSTMENTS BECAUSE HE PLAYS OLD BIG-TEN FOOTBALL(BEND DON'T BREAK) THE PLAYERS ON THIS TEAM FILL AS IF THEY ARE NOT PLAYING MIAMI FOOTBALL! MAN-MAN COVERAGE! BLITZING,STUNTING,AND PRESSURE ON QB! THE DEFENSE CANNOT GET OFF THE FIELD BECAUSE ON 3RD AND LONG(3MAN FRONT) NO PRESSURE!THE TWO INTERCEPTIONS THIS YEAR CAME FROM FORCING THE ACTION! THE SAFETIES SIT BACK AND DO NOTHING EVEN WHEN NOT DEFENDING ANYONE! HOW CAN WE FIX THINGS?1) GET PORTER AND ROBINSON BACK AT DT! BLITZ MORE! ROTATE CHICKILO AROUND ESPECIALLY ON 3RD DOWN! STOP DEFERING KO TIL SECOND HALF! FIRE D-LINE COACH TAKE SOME O-LINEMEN PLACE ON D-LINE ON SHORT YARDAGE AND GOAL LINE! THIS TEAM IS YOUNG BUT THESE COACHES NEED TO START PLAYING MIAMI TYPE BALL AND STOP PLAYING OLD FASHION BIG 10 FOOTBALL!

[THE STUD]

Paul Ryan your momma said I had an elephant trunk (get it GOP ) , and she liked it!!!!...uh huh...so shut the pie hole and go lick a trash can like the boy's in Queens do!!!

[community organizer]

I see a bunch of idiots are on here talking politics on the wrong blog.

[St pete cane]

they really stunk it up today- been a Cane fan for58 yrs- hard to remember a worse performance- the Defensive co- ordinator needs to go but we will be stuck with him for this yr- may only win 3-4 games this year

[Paul Ryan]

THE STUD

Does your mom still give discounts on a bj.

[Jim Gallo]

hahaha you got a discount too.

[360Cane]

Yes, let's make it easier cause they look lost out there.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=753060053]

we got crushed by the run when shannon was his with hurtt and petri. Who does donofrio have? Robinson who never played, Porter who is always hurt, pierre and smith were just fill ins, basically back ups. He has talented freshmen who are undersized at this point. Look how Perryman and Eddie Johnson have developed. Those were guys golden brought in. I dont think people realize the damage shannon did to this program both on and off the feild. I mean with some of these kids mentally.

btw, lets stop with attacking the coachs over luther. He was a kid who never sniffed the field under shannon. He is lucky that golden gave him a shot.

[Gary C]

Fire the D coordinator after two games and teach a bunch of kids a new scheme between games and expect them to be competitive? That's plain dumb.

You people are smoking some good stuff!

Golden is here for the long haul. He just got extended till what?2019?
The players simply need to get better. Execute better.

Face the facts. These kids aint that good yet.

[community organizer]

this blog is atrocious

[ja]

Fire Defense Coord

[Knightmese]

Some Canes fan just aren't dealing with reality. We are not going to win the ACC or even our division. This team is going to be worse than last year but should finish the season strong. Now next year and especially the year after we should see a great deal of improvement.

[Paul Ryan]

THE STUD's mom has great rates on a bj

[C$]

Only time will allow this team to get stronger, play faster, and have the true depth they need to compete. We know they are young. We need to give them time here.

What they can improve on now is executing their assignments properly and making adjustments. No doubt they are struggling here particularly on the defensive side of the football. Let's see how they improve in this area particularly the coaching staff. Love him or hate him - and it appears there's a lot of a hate - D'Onofrio is not working with a full deck.

I was as upset and frustrated with this win as any fan. It's not just a reality check to the team but to us fans as well. There's a reason why many said this team would be lucky to be .500 before the season started.

[gocanes1]

Donna Shalala - the lib loon bears much blame for the fall of the U

[HURRICANES STORM]

WOW what a butt kicking loss. OK it is over, put it behind you and move forward. THE U is no longer relevant in college football and the NCAA's hammer drop will not aid the situation. It is now time for pride to take hold and start kicking some tail, or just accept the fact that we are an inferior team. For me, I think that getting the crap kicked out of the team today WILL motivate the players.

[360Cane]

Exactly! Here's reality:

Bama Starters http://alabama.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp

Offense (this does not include TJ Yeldon)
4 seniors
5 juniors
2 sophs

defense
4 seniors
3 juniors
4 sophs

Rivals Rankings:
2008 Bama #1 recruiting class
2009 Bama #1 recruting class
2010 Bama #5 recruting class
2011 Bama #1 recruting class

Miami Starters http://miami.rivals.com/cdepthtext.asp

Offense (this does not include Duke Johnson)
1 senior
4 juniors
4 sophs
2 fresh

Defense (this does not include Deon Bush or Tracy Howard)
4 seniors
2 juniors
4 sophs
1 fresh

Rivals Rankings:
2008 Miami #5 recruiting class
2009 Miami #15 recruiting class
2010 Miami #16 recruting class
2011 Miami #36 recruting class

[Washington Cane]

Finally some perspective 360 cane. I have said that all along. What that stat about bama does not say is all of those kids redshifted as well. Their number one class this year, in the weightroom and learning the system they will use in two years if they are lucky. Our class, on the field learning by fire. Do I like what is going on with the D, not at all but someone please tell me what coach would take this job with all that has happened and what is to come? I feel golden is doing a fine job in a situation he was blindsided with but stuck to it. That is why I will give these guys a chance with these "kids". I want them to be back too but with what we are dealing with off the field, it takes time.

[Cautious optimism]

4-8 was too optimistic. we'll beat bethune and that may be it.

[Jim Gallo]

ok..lets look at Goldens recruiting class at Virginia. he started the 2002 season...Virginia went:
32-18 overall and 18-14 conference.....then on to Temple at 27-34..now 7-4 Miami and 4-5 conference....then hired DC with no DC experience at all, not even as an assistant....but everyone blames it on Coker/Shannon.....how did at least 6 teams go from 6-7 in 2010 to 10-3 / 11-2 in 2011? Clemson being one of the teams...has a great year (goes from 6-7 to 10-4) but loses Orange Bowl and because of score the DC gets fired immediately.....how serious is Miami?

[JDucci]

The vanilla zone defense is plain hideous. If you want to play it, you need pressure from your front four, which UM has zero of. Stack the box, blitz, play man and risk the big play. It's better than having your D on the field for 2/3 of the game...

[Tallycane]

It would not have been a different game all that u strength stuff is some bs.

[Tallycane]

The funny thing is some fans still want to blame Shannon and not call it like it is. Golden is starting to look like Charlie Weiss he got a team and made them competitive. It's obvious that we needed to play ad different defense against kstate but this dude did not make any adjustments till the second half. I thought the defensive plan was descent last week but to come out knowing a team was gonna run the ball and not prepare was ridiculous. Do they watch film. Coaching lost us three games last year and the dc is keeping this tradition alive.

[DNix]

This was tough to watch, but I watched it all. Folks these are the right guys on the field but they are young. They are in the fire. They will learn.

The D Line IS an issue though. They aren't getting the penetration and the LBs and DBs can't cover but so long. I'm looking for those 2nd half adjustments but I can't see them. Is it that none are made due to inexperience?

U guys have my support!! Just keep fighting! And ignore these blogs!!! Some of these folks are jumping off cliffs already!! LOL.

[Jim Gallo]

lol.....jumping off cliffs, I'm searching as we speak for the numbers of Rob Ryan, Kyle Shnahan, Rob Chudzinski and Chuck Pagano...all NFL assistants....for the new Miami head Coach open position.....3.5 million a year for 5 yrs.....

[Carl]

The only thing that can be blamed on Golden is the fact that he has put too much faith into the D-Coordinator.
As far as people defending Morris, please open your eyes. Anyone can throw short passes to the flat. He has no accuracy down field and seems to have no touch. Every pass he throws seems to be a laser dart. Not all passes need to be thrown as hard as you can. I thought Williams did a better job in the scrimmages during training camp and should have been named the starter. Our defense isn't has bad as it looks. The defensive plays being called are just horrible. You cannot play zone all game. We have athletic players and they need to be able to play to their strengths, a.k.a "Man Coverage" and "Blitzes", or better yet mix it up some. We will be back, but not until the D-coord is fired and we stop putting our faith in a below-average QB.

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=753060053]

You guys gotta be kidding me. this is an overreaction.
Who did we return on offense? Who did we return on defense? We returned a roster of guys who hardly played or didnt play at all and on top of that, except them to lead Freshman??? Be patient, if this happened next season, I would agree with the response.

[rchy12]

Okay guys I'm going to make it plain and simple.

1st- Michael B. LB coach needs to go. Linebackers been average since he took over under Shannon. Only 1 good Linebacker every 3 years. Sean Spence now Denzel. Both played undersized.

2nd- Mark D. defensive coordinator gots to go. We been seeing to same lack of a Osage rush defense for 1 year and 2 games now. Every quarterback TheU has faced looks like a All-American. Just go back and look at quarterbacks against us last year. Yes I know we are young but I'm sick and tired of this sit back and watch defense.

Fire the Troll and whole Defensive Staff.

[037]

d-coord has done nothing in his 14 game career here in Miami to suggest things are going to get better... i have the hardest time thinking Miami lacks the kind of talent that could prevent 500 yards per game so far this season... it's not that i had a hard time watching this game... which i did... but when i ponder the future... i'm even more depressed... Golden will never fire his best friend... and UM may take 3 or 4 years of this before they fire him... so now where does that leave the fans? this program is starting to make Shannon's seem like Jimmy Johnson's!

[rchy12]

Also it seems like the defensive line not try to put pressure on the quarterback they just play with the offensive linemen. When Shannon was coordinator or b4 this clown was our current coordinator, players use to shoot gaps, bull-rush, do swim moves, rips, ect.

Shid its goin to be a loooong season. Golden you better let ur friend go because this is a business. We need a aggressive defensive coordinator like Greg Williams from the Saints John Chevis

[037]

offensive would be the right word to use when describing Miami's defense

[037]

can't say that i really care for Golden wtg until the end of the 4th qtr to replace Morris either... but heck... offense is so far down the list of things to worry about right now... who cares, right?

[037]

if we were chronicling the fall of the Golden regime here in Miami... at the top of the list would be the date on which he named his best friend the d-coord... and that very well could be the only thing on the list!

[037]

don't get me wrong... it's nothing personal against the man himself... i have no reason to believe that he is not a superior human being... but if anybody is watching the same product currently on the field for UM that has been a fan long enough to see them win at least ONE championship (all five here, thanks) then you will probably agree that D'Ono being a great and wonderful human being does not equate to a dominating defense... heck, it doesn't even translate to a top ONE HUNDRED in the nation defense... i'm not one to say the sky is falling... but the sky has fallen!

[037]

that i just complained that UM does not have a defense in the top 100 programs in the nation is in of itself... a problem?

[037]

University Presi ent Shalala has just man ate the removel of the letter 'D' from any and all talk about the University of Miami!

[037]

Attention Miami Heral , please have the letter 'D' remove from the phrase 'poste by' at the bottom of all of our postings!

[The dude abides]

The bottom line is this team does not have the Horses.
Please stop saying we have talent but need better coaching?
The goal this year should be to get bowl eligible at 6 wins and take another self imposed bowl band. That would be two years with no bowl and get us in the clear with the sanctions which will be coming.
Just get to 6 wins
I would give Golden 5 years to get this turn around

[Reality Bites]

Feel bad for you clUcks. Not really.
But you are very funny indeed ready to jump off the cliff, calling for multiple coaches to be fired and some of you even questioning the Great Golden.
Thing is, this is your reality, this is expected, we all knew this was going to happen......except you.
Yep, you spent the whole week spouting baseless predictions of cane glory and victory. They proved to be...........baseless.
Look at the bright side. Next week you will notch victory # 2 of the season, that will be 50% of this year's wins. Try hard to contain yourselves after that victory and keep it real so you don't crash so hard after the next loss.
Remember BC is a crappy team, beating them meant nothing. So it is with Bethune. And Duke.
This is your reality. Embrace it.
Now you can attack me and call me names however all I have said here is factual. Truth hurts. It sUcks to be U right now though.

[caniac]

It was evident last year that D'onofrio was over his head. Blatantly obvious now. He's horrible. Everyone and their mother knew what KSU was goign to do and it was as if the defense had never seen this before. THe offense was weak with some poor play calling and bad decisions by Morris. THey kept trying to stretch the field horizontally, but didn't go down field enough. Poor job all the way around. The shine is off Coach Golden now and now we'll find out if he can actually coach versus motivate and recruit. So far, we have a good recruiter, talks a good game, improved conditioning but has had no discernible impact on the play on the field. In fact, gone backwards defensively and can't seem to figure out what their offensive philospohy is.

[Canes Diablo 305]

Bottom line is this!!!
Some guys play hard, others hangout and FREELANCE!.
It doesn't help if you cant motivate your own teamates. Oh, he just made a tackle, f it , he can get up himself, IM TIRED.!!.
Luther Robinson and his dad should go find another college to play for.
If guys don't quit and come together, this team has alot of potential. We as fans can blame anyone, but if it doesn't come from the players, then its lost.
We ball guys.
STOP THE POLITICKING and DO THE JOB your COACHES are asking you to do.
Stop the old mentality.... FOLLOW the rules, or DON't PLAY. You"re only hurting the guys in the locker room. No one else.
WHERE's the family???
Where's DA U???

[Joe]

KSTATE DID NOT GET LUCKY.....THEY BEAT OUR AS*ES....PLAIN AND SIMPLE....

[NJCane]

We will not get back into the upper echelon of the FBS until we get some monsters up front in our front 7. We have not had a top 10 defense since 2005, and we have not been a real threat since then.

Defense has been the staple of all dominant UM teams and right now we just don't have the talent or the depth.

The slide began with Coker and continued with Shannon. Let's if Golden can turn it around. Realistically, he needs 2 more years, but he must show gradual improvement. I hope you can do it, Al.

[NJshoreCane]

At the start of the season, i was hoping for 6 wins so we can give a bowl to the NCAA.

After last week, I thought 6-8 wins was possible.

Now the win range is 5-7. If a team brings a very good D, we're going to lose. Va Tech may very well be as ugly as this one. QB's (physically, anyway) are very similar.

As far as recruits go, the positive spin is that the best defensive prospect out there know they can start for this team in 51 weeks.

I die harder than anyone out there. Let's hang in there guys. Maybe this team will surprise us a few times this year.