Gameday blog: Canes vs. Notre Dame

No I'm not in Chicago. But I do have a comfy seat here at home and a big screen TV to watch tonight's big showdown between your Miami Hurricanes (4-1, 3-0 ACC) and the ninth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-0). Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Soldier Field and the game can be seen everywhere on NBC.

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STORYLINES

> The Canes are coming off another thrilling, heart-stopping win in the ACC. They knocked off N.C. State 44-37 when quarterback Stephen Morris connected with Phillip Dorsett on a 62-yard scoring strike with 19 seconds left. Morris is coming off the best single-game performance ever by a Canes quarterback with 566 yards and five touchdown passes. UM's defense gave up over 600 yards, but forced six turnovers in the win.

> The Irish had a bye week last week and of course will be playing this game a short drive over from South Bend. Notre Dame's defense is pretty sick. The Irish rank ninth in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) in both sacks (3.5/game) and pass efficiency defense (96.79) and are giving up an average of just nine points a game. The Irish defense has totaled eight interceptions -- equal to the number of interceptions the 2011 Notre Dame defense recorded. Senior middle linebacker Manti Te’o has played a role in seven of the 13 turnovers forced by Notre Dame’s defense. The All-America linebacker has recorded three interceptions, recovered two fumbles and hurried passers on two occasions that resulted in interceptions.

Here are this week's game notes for both teams: Hurricanes Irish

Comments

[bill connors]

remember fellas this isnt the big game, next week vs north carolina is , for first place in conf

[Russell]

If ever a turnover was needed...

[Andrew]

Are you sure Dorsett jersey wasn't stolen from Greg Little

[Orlando Dolphan]

I hope the Defense does not allow them to go 99 yards. We have not stopped them on their previous 3 drives.

[Joisey Cane]

I tell you right now the way we are playing we have already lost. When your best reciever drops everything its a sign. Thiss EFFEN SUCKS!!!!!

[IMAWriter]

Gotta say this.
ANY golden haters should just stiffle it.
Wehn has UM made so many bad plays, yet so many7 timely ones against a good team in an almost "Swamp" type stadium.
That ST play is an example.
Our guys have given nearly as good as they've taken, ahnd the score should be at least tied.

That said, we HAVE to stop these guys inside the 10.
And get at least 3.

[tim]

Orlando, It is what I have heard from a friend. That is all I will say about that. Dorsett is NOT A CANE.

[IMAWriter]

OH yeah, watch for a defensive penalty on UM down here.

[Joisey Cane]

Orlando, whats wrong with him the media has been blowing him all week. His head went purple.

[IMAWriter]

Isn't intentional grounding in the end Zone a safety?

[Doug]

Tim...you are right on dorsett...paid off.

[bill connors]

great d, plenty of time. now score a td

[Joisey Cane]

Thank god no flag, should of been.

[Tony]

"I'd like to see them get that edge to stay in bounds and force Al Golden to burn another timeout." - NBC Broadcasters

[IMAWriter]

Morris gets into a jag where he bounces them. Strange

[bill connors]

offense cant get going now

[Tony]

Offense has barely seen the field. They're ice cold.

[bill connors]

go for it, kicker has sucked

[keith]

man again morris great in the 1st and then poor in the second.....

[tim]

The U is being disrespected again. F--k Golden.

[bill connors]

unreal golden, be smart. go for it your kicker is horrible

[keith]

coach is a loser, that is the second time he has shown 0 confidence in his team making a first down ---- good job coach ....

[Orlando Dolphan]

Why did he not go for it. We have a terrible FG kicker.

[Johnny1303ification]

The only person who wants to win is Morris.

[Andrew]

ND is well coached there offense of line jumped on the ball are o line would try to pick it up and go 70yds

[Joisey Cane]

F*** we lost this game. I could be wrong but i dont think so. F*** Mateo the anouncers have been blowing him all game. They said he jared the ball loose from Duke. They are giving him credit even when he didnt do anything.

[IMAWriter]

I know its after the fact, but we should have gone for it, burned clock as well.
Wieclaw is not right.

[lotta time left, settle down!!]

Friggin Luck of the Irish!! Its killing me overe here. And Im Irish!! But sheesh the Luck is obvious

[Tony]

This kid should have his scholarship revoked. You can find 20 kids on the UM Soccer team that will miss kicks like that.

[MikeS]

wieclaw and dorsett should just put their street clothes on. I wonder how much dorsett was paid to throw this game, you know, "pay for don't play". It's a shame to blow this game the way we have. I know the def hasn't made any big plays, but they have kept us close.

[Orlando Dolphan]

Wow they may get a FG out of this. Man our D stinks.

[tim]

good job golden, wide open defense to allow nd to get in fg position.

[bill connors]

wow pathetic to let them get a fg

[tim]

All i want for christmas is for Dorsett to die and his family to get AIDS

[IMAWriter]

Why do our db's start running backward at the snap?
If he makes this 3, it's on Golden.
In thought for sure he would go on 4th and 5.

Our D is already tired.

[MikeS]

I hope Jake is watching their kicker.

[Orlando Dolphan]

Unbeleivable, I would put my head down if I was a defensive player for the canes when walking by some of the legendary players that played here. I have never seen our defense this terrible.

[DarinD]

we should have gone for it on 4th, water under the bridge! Hopefully we will make defensive and offensive changes during the half

[Johnny1303ification]

I'm not a expert, but is it just me or does coach D kinda suck LOL

[snug954]

Execution!!! That's the difference in this game. We begin every drive with a penalty and finish it with a drop. They are not doing anything special. Just taking what we give!

[MikeS]

WHEW Jake already knows how to do that They are missing 3 pts, we are missing 17, who wants to win this? it doesnt look like us

[snug954]

To win this game, we must adjust MENTALLY!! This is winnable game! Let's go Canes!!

[Luke Warm]

We can't score against this team? C'mon, they can't freaking cover our wideouts! Whether they actually catch the ball is another matter....:(

[Joisey Cane]

Why is everybody blaming Golden for the Defense. Its mr Dnfreo who is Fn this up. He is letting the corners run at the snap. What the Hell let them get man on man.

[keith]

man I hope someone comes out and trys to make a play....

[Luke Warm]

How many drops that half? 5 or 6?

[IMAWriter]

MikeS, well, it was reversed, their kicker watched OURS.
We dodged a bullet, and will win this game.
The Notre dame defense is not that good, we were THAT BAD.
We should be up.

Studio guy says we caught ND off guard?
BS, they KNEW we do what we do, and they can't stop it.

Don't know what's wrong with Dorsett, other than the moment is bigger than him.
Lets remember, his big moments came mainly at home.

The low Morris throws seem to happen every game, same time, different channel.

We need a BIG ST play, or turnover to change the momentum.
That missed ND filed goal is a start.

[Luke Warm]

Can you say defensive adjustments?

[Luke Warm]

We need a big second half. Redeem yourself Philip Dorsett!

[Andrew]

It would be so sick if Ray Lewis coach are defense.