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I don't think the defending champion FSU Seminoles worry too much about anyone on their schedule.
I also do not think any of the pundits, myself included, can call that 11/15 match-up on the horizon between the 'Noles and 'Canes a given anymore.
Not when Miami plays the way they played today.
With an abundance of good vibes filling up Sun Life Stadium, the Hurricanes obliterated North Carolina today.
Let's break it all down:
The Good
- This is a pregame banner I can support!
Another banner flying around: pic.twitter.com/E2qjrdkcIU Think most Canes fans would rather see this one.
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) November 1, 2014
- This was nice to hear, albeit you would hope for a more packed house for the occasion (we were told it was a late arriving crowd).
Honorary captain Jim Kelly introduced pregame, standing at the 40-yard line. Not a lot of folks in here, but they're making a lot of noise.
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) November 1, 2014
- Russell Maryland and Jerome Brown (RIP) the 16th and 17th members of the Miami Hurricanes Ring of Fame. Well deserved!
- Congrats to Duke Johnson for another milestone.
Duke Johnson has passed Edgerrin James to move into 2nd on Miami's all-time rush yards list. #UNCvsMIA
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) November 1, 2014
- Second straight week a blitz effectively ends the opponents 1st drive. Overall the defensive game planning remained aggressive. This unit seems to thrive on getting in opponents faces. UNC's Qb Marquise Williams often appeared to be rattled and confused.
Corner Blitz by Artie Burns, Miami's D is so much better when they play (and coach) aggressively
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) November 1, 2014
- Freshman Trevor Darling at RT (first start) and Jon Feliciano at LT (filling in for Ereck Flowers, shifted from RT) - held up well, especially in the run game. Fellow frosh Nick Linder continues to impress at LG.... And speaking of good blocking...
4th and 1 and Duke goes in untouched, Walter Tucker "disintegrates the edge defender" to set it up
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) November 1, 2014
- After a 14 yarder to Clive Walford put Miami up 16-7.
Kaaya has thrown a touchdown pass in every game that he has played in this season. It was his 18th TD pass of the season.
— Scott Salomon (@ScottSalomon) November 1, 2014
& another.......
Kaaya to Walford part deux. Miami opens it up against UNC. Walford's NFL stock is going up. Miami takes a 30-6 lead right before the half.
— Scott Salomon (@ScottSalomon) November 1, 2014
- The middle screen to Johnson from 37 yards out, that the 'Canes to put them up 37-6, was run flawlessly. Fantastic blocking all around.
- Joe Yearby is going to be a star. Congrats to the freshman RB on his first career rushing TD today. Plenty more to come.
The Bad
- Miami picks up a huge sack on a CB blitz and Michael Wyche gets flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct. Can't have that.
- This!
With everything going 'Canes way, Sunny Odogwu gets beat on a strip sack, resulting in a UNC defensive TD. When you are on 4th OT it happens
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) November 1, 2014
- Gus Edwards appeared to sustain some kind of leg injury in the first half.
RT @mattyports: Per WQAM, Miami RB Gus Edwards was carted to the locker room. Appears to have an ankle injury.
— PB Post Sports (@pbpsports) November 1, 2014
The Ugly
The weather was spectacular today in South Florida and the performance on the field was impressive, to say the least. Also, in honor of Jim Kelly, Russell Maryland, Jerome Brown, and Carter Hucks, this section will be left bank today.
Team Grades
Offense:
The blocking on Johnson's 90 yard 2nd quarter TD run to put Miami up 23-9 was picturesque (Ditto the middle screen in the third quarter). Especially great job down field by Phillip Dorsett on the safety after the the big guys opened a huge hole. Both TD tosses from BK to Clive were perfectly placed where only the UM TE could catch them.
Defense:
This is a completely different unit when they pin their ears back and play in the opponents' faces. Lots of effort plays and gang tackling. The pass rush was close to ferocious at times, with blitzes from all angles and Tyriq McCord showing great burst on the backside. Denzel Perryman remains a beast. Today, this unit made a potent offense look pedestrian. Whatever little success they had was well after the game was long decided.
Special Teams:
Justin Vogel continues to be a weapon at punter. Stacy Coley looks like he has some burst back on returns. UNC has 2 huge miscues that the 'Canes ST capitalized on as well. Still waiting on a punt block or a kick return for TD.
Coaching:
Can we give a little love to Mark D'Onofrio yet? Is he saving his job by letting loose and calling more blitzes? Is there a more intense man than Al Golden on game day?
Some real smart calls by James Coley as well, helped UM break this one open in the 2nd half.
Not all Hurricanes fans may want to admit it, and surely we need to see how the rest of the season plays out, but this staff appears to be growing and improving in a big way.
Stay tuned for much more coverage on Miami's big win today and all of the news and notes on the Hurricanes, right here on SOTU.