clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Miami-Georgia Tech GameThread: Unknowable Is Often!

Well, it's time either to deliver a triforcated tongue-lashing or end the day dead and dismembered. Kinda digging the Segway-on-a-cliff feel that now inhabits every Saturday of this entropically wobblin' season. What will happen? Which completely inexperienced quarterback will stink worse? Which running game will be more ridiculous? No one knows! It's like a masked key party! Not that I know about such things!

Naturally, this noon showdown of adorable also-rans is on ESPN3 and the "ACC Network" (spoiler: it's a guy named Jimmy holding a coat hanger somewhere in North Carolina), so check here for local listings.

The University of Miami football team will play its final road game of the 2010 regular season when it travels to Atlanta to take on ACC Coastal Division opponent Georgia Tech on Saturday, Nov. 13 at noon at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The game will be televised live on the ACC Network.The Hurricanes (6-3, 4-2 ACC) are coming a thrilling come-from-behind 26-20 win over Maryland this past weekend at Sun Life Stadium. Trailing 20-18 with 3:06 to play, freshman Stephen Morris drove the ‘Canes down the field and with under a minute to play, connected with Leonard Hankerson on a 35-yard touchdown pass that would prove to be the game-winner. Morris, who was making his first collegiate start, finished the game 18-for-30 with 286 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.

Redshirt freshman Lamar Miller also earned his first career start and ran for 125 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. His 125 yards on the ground were the most for a ‘Cane this season and the most for a UM freshman since Javarris James ran for a freshman record 148 yards against Houston on Sept. 30, 2006.

Junior Travis Benjamin led the ‘Canes in receiving with 127 yards on five catches, but it was Hankerson’s big catch late in the fourth quarter not only won the game for the ‘Canes, but it put the senior in rare company. Hankerson became one of just five players in school history to record double-digit touchdown receptions in a single season, joining Michael Irvin (11), Lamar Thomas (10), Reggie Wayne (10) and Andre Johnson (10). Hankerson’s touchdown was the 19th of his career, tying him with Santana Moss for fifth all-time at Miami.

Miami’s defense is coming off another solid outing, holding the Terrapins to 254 yards (96 rushing; 158 passing) and 15 first downs. Colin McCarthy, who ranks fourth in the ACC with a 8.4 tackle per game average, led the ‘Canes with six tackles against Maryland. Ray-Ray Armstrong had five tackles and recorded Miami’s 16th interception of the season.

The Hurricanes’ defense continues to rank as one of the nation’s best against the pass, ranking first in pass efficiency defense (92.17), fifth in pass defense (153.11 ypg) and sixth in sacks (3.00 pg). Ryan Hill, Vaughn Telemaque and Ray-Ray Armstrong are tied for the team-lead with three interceptions apiece, while Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist Brandon Harris has an interception a team-high six pass break-ups.

‘CANES OWN RARE DISTINCTION
Miami is one of just 10 schools from a BCS conference that ranks in the nation’s Top 40 in both total offense and total defense.

The ‘Canes rank 14th in total defense (416.33) and 37th in total offense (416.33) this season under second-year coordinators Mark Whipple (offense) and John Lovett (defense).

Miami is joined by Ohio State, Alabama, Arizona, Nebraska, Arkansas, Michigan State, Oregon, Stanford and Kentucky as the 10 teams nationally from a BCS conference that boast similar success on both sides of the ball.

FIRST TIMES
Three rookie Hurricanes in the NFL had memorable games this past weekend with Javarris James running for his first two career touchdowns, Jimmy Graham catching his first touchdown and Sam Shields recording his first career interception.

MIAMI RANKS AMONG THE NATION’S ELITE DEFENSIVELY
University of Miami’s defense ranks in the Top 10 nationally in a number of different statistical categories, including pass efficiency defense (1st; 92.17), tackles for loss (3rd; 8.22 pg), interceptions, (t-3rd, 16), pass defense (5th; 153.11), sacks (6th; 3.00 pg), turnovers gained (t-7th; 24), first downs allowed (8th; 15.44 pg).