What a game, right? Manny says that the team's emotion was the biggest factor in the game's outcome:
Fun and swagger were definitely the name of the game.
The fun part was watching them turn into the Hurricanes again. Maybe it was just for Saturday night. Maybe it becomes for the season.
But you know what I mean if you saw the entire defense dancing on the field to the public-address music during a timeout — and then stuffing North Carolina on third down.
Or if you saw Sean Spence joyfully whipping Brandon Harris like a horse, like the whole team could ride him, after Harris intercepted a third-quarter pass to end a North Carolina mini-rally.
That drew a nit-pick penalty for celebrating. But really now. This 33-10 win turned into a night to celebrate for a Miami team that's needed something to celebrate for a couple of weeks.
This was all sparked by the defense— likely with its genesis in a player's only meeting led by Harris, Spence and Vaughn Telemaque, and attended by Antrel Rolle. Writes Manny:
Here are the notable statistical/historical tidbits, via Hurricane Sports:
Senior running back Damien Berry racked up 109 rushing yards becoming the fourth Hurricane since 1975 to record four-straight 100-yard rushing games (Willis McGahee - 2002, Clinton Portis - 1999, Edgerrin James - 1998).
...
With Jacory Harris' 24-yard touchdown pass to Travis Benjamin to put Miami up 19-10 in the third quarter, Harris has passed Vinny Testaverde and Steve Walsh for sole possession of second all-time in school history in TD passes with 49. Harris added his 50th TD pass later in the third quarter.
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The Hurricanes now have 14 interceptions in seven games this season - surpassing their nine in 13 games in 2009.
Allen Bailey was also named National Co-Defensive Player of the Week by some such institution:
University of Miami senior defensive lineman Allen Bailey has been name a National College Football Performance Awards Co-Defensive Player of the Week, as announced Sunday. Bailey led the ‘Canes to a 33-10 victory over North Carolina on Saturday, recording six tackles and a career-best 3.5 sack in the convincing win over the Tar Heels.
Bailey shared the weekly award with Pittsburgh’s Brandon Lindsey, who had three sacks and a forced fumble in the Panthers’ win over Rutgers.
Bailey now leads the ‘Canes with 5.5 sacks this season while ranking sixth in tackles (27) and second in tackles for loss (8.5).
We are also now ranked #22 in both polls.
Game stories:
And we leave you with .gfs: