Game Thread: Miami Football Hosts Virginia in Another Must Win

It was another interesting week for Miami Hurricanes Football.

Coming off the dramatic, heart pounding win over Duke, they need another solid performance this week Vs Virginia to keep their ACC Coastal Division hopes alive.

Game Notes (Courtesy UM):

CANES SET FOR HOMECOMING CLASH WITH CAVALIERS

-After a thrilling road win over Duke last time out, Miami (5-3, 2-2 ACC) returns to Sun Life Stadium on Nov. 7 for a Homecoming tilt against Coastal foe Virginia (3-5, 2-2). Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.

-Though the all-time series between Miami and Virginia is tied at 6-6, the Hurricanes lead 3-2 all-time in games played in Miami. The Cavaliers topped Miami 30-13 last year in Charlottesville, Va.

-Interim head coach Larry Scott will be making his home debut at the helm of the Hurricanes. Aided by a miraculous eight-lateral, 75-yard kickoff return for a TD as time expired in Durham, Scott won his head coaching debut at Wallace Wade Stadium vs. Duke on Oct. 31 by a final score of 30-27.

-Miami is 16-4 in its last 20 games at Sun Life Stadium, and is 3-1 at home in 2015.

WHAT A WIN WOULD DO

-Make the Hurricanes bowl eligible for the eighth-consecutive season.

-Move the Hurricanes to 3-0 in the Coastal Division of the ACC.

-Give Miami a 23-9 record at Sun Life Stadium since 2011.

-Give Miami a 4-1 record at Sun Life Stadium this season.

-Improve Miami’s record to 7-6 all-time against Virginia.

-Move Miami’s record to 4-2 all-time against Virginia in home games.

"THE RETURN"

-Corn Elder capped one of the most thrilling endings in college football history against Duke, a 75-yard kick return for TD as time expired to top the Blue Devils. The kick return took eight laterals and roughly 46 seconds to complete after Dallas Crawford made the initial field at the 25-yard line.

-A number of Hurricanes played pivotal roles on the return; five different players touched the ball (Crawford, Elder, Jaquan Johnson, Mark Walton & Tyre Brady), while David Njoku and Charles Perry came up with timely blocks. The play went under a lengthy review before the TD was official.

-The win marked UM’s first against a ranked team on the road since the 2009 opener vs. Florida St.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

-Heading into the ninth week of the college football season, the Hurricanes rank among the top 10 in four national statistical categories. The Canes are also ranked sixth nationally in turnover margin.

ROSIER IMPRESSES IN FIRST CAREER START

-Making his first start at QB in place of an injured Brad Kaaya, redshirt freshman Malik Rosier tossed for 272 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Duke on Oct. 31. He finished the game 20-for-29 with one interception, setting career highs in nearly every category.

-Rosier’s 272 passing yards were the most by a Hurricane quarterback making the first start of his UM career away from home in 17 years. Below is a list of Miami QB first career starts since 1999:

Miami QB First Career Starts Since 1999

Stephen Morris (2010) - 286 vs. Maryland (Nov. 6)

Malik Rosier (2015) - 272 at Duke (Oct. 31)

Kenny Kelly (1999) - 245 vs. Ohio State (Aug. 27, East Rutherford, N.J.)

Kyle Wright (2005) - 232 at Florida State (Sept. 5)

Brock Berlin (2003) - 203 at Louisiana Tech (Aug. 28)

Ken Dorsey (1999) - 194 vs. Rutgers (Nov. 20)

Jacory Harris (2008) - 190 vs. Charleston Southern (Aug. 28)

Brad Kaaya (2014) - 179 at Louisville (Sept. 1)

Kirby Freeman (2006) - 140 at Maryland (Nov. 11)

Derrick Crudup (2003) - 80 vs. Syracuse (Nov. 15)

Robert Marve (2008) - 69 at Florida (Sept. 6)

MIAMI, adidas UNVEIL "MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY" UNIS

-The University of Miami and adidas Monday unveiled the Hurricanes’ "Military Appreciation Day" Primeknit uniforms to be worn Nov. 7 against Virginia. The uniforms pay homage to U.S. military.

-Hurricanes will don a camouflage TECHFIT baselayer with an oversized metallic silver "U" on top.

-Miami players will also wear khaki socks and camouflage adizero 5-star 4.0 gloves that all incorporate that colors of U.S. Army Delta Force uniforms.

-Accenting the camouflage theme, the helmet, jersey and pants are a bold black and feature metallic silver oversized "U" logos on the shoulder pads, pants and helmet.

-To complete the military homage, the Hurricanes will debut the new Delta Force inspired Dark Ops 2016 adizero 5-Star 5.0 x KEVLAR® and 2016 Freak x KEVLAR® cleats.

-Additionally, the Hurricanes will donate game worn jerseys and helmets to be auctioned with proceeds benefiting the Miami VA Healthcare System.

YIPPEE KAAYA

-Despite missing the team’s last game at Duke, sophomore QB Brad Kaaya remains near the top of the ACC in a number of individual categories, including passing yards (1,846, second), passing yards per game (263.7, first) and total offense (1,789 yards, sixth).

-Kaaya has thrown just five interceptions in his last 431 attempts. He has thrown for more than 200 yards in 14 of his 20 career games at Miami and has five career 300-yard performances.

-Kaaya’s career home numbers (11 games) stand out: 2,719 passing yards, 24 TDs & just 6 INTs.

-Kaaya set personal bests in completions (29), attempts (49) and pass yards (405) at Florida State (Oct. 10), tossing three touchdowns with no interceptions. His passer efficiency rating was 148.8.

Be sure to join fellow 'Canes and leave lots of comments below.