Game Thread: Miami Football Hosts Nebraska with a shot at Signature Win

Al Golden and Co get a chance today (3:30 PM EST ABC) at a big time win Vs a marquee opponent.

The 'Canes host the Cornhuskers in a measuring stick contest, that could really tell us not only the state of the current squad, but could also dictate the direction of the program.

Yeah, it's a big time game.

But in case you need a little extra firing up:

Game Notes (courtesy UM)

FIVE THINGS

1. Running back Mark Walton became just the third UM true freshman in the last 20 years to rush for three touchdowns in one game.

2. Miami has only given up three total points in the second half and has not trailed in a game this season.

3. Miami has seven takeaways in its first two games for the first time since 2004.

4. Nebraska will play its first true road game in South Florida since 1951.

5. Miami is 2-0 for the 21st time in school history.

TWO LEGENDARY PROGRAMS MEET ON SATURDAY

-Miami’s matchup with Nebraska marks the 12th meeting between the two schools.

-The two schools have combined for 1,478 wins, 10 national championships and 170 All-Americans.

-Miami and Nebraska have met in five bowl games and have faced off in the national championship four times; the Hurricanes won three of those four national championship meetings.

YIPPEE KAAYA

-In his last start against FAU, sophomore quarterback Brad Kaaya went 21-of-32 for 287 yards and one touchdown. He opened the year by going 16-for-27 for 173 yards and two touchdowns against Bethune-Cookman on Sept. 5.

-Kaaya has a touchdown pass in 15 consecutive games. The only Miami quarterback in the last 20 years with a longer such streak is Ken Dorsey, who had streaks of 23 and 17 games in his illustrious Hurricane career.

-Kaaya has thrown just three interceptions in his last 261 attempts.

-Kaaya has thrown for more than 200 yards in 10 of his 15 career games.

THE SOUTH FLORIDA DUO

-South Florida products Joe Yearby (291) and Mark Walton (169) have combined for 460 all purpose yards and seven touchdowns.

-Of their 460 all purpose yards, Yearby (186) and Walton (127) have combined for 313 rushing yards for an average of 6.52 yards per carry.

-Yearby and Walton also have combined for 48 carries and none of those carries has resulted in lost yardage for either running back.

DEFENSIVE MENTALITY

-Miami’s defense this season has recorded four interceptions on 45 pass attempts.

-Last week against FAU, the Owls tallied 29 plays, 227 yards and 17 points on their first three offensive drives, but the Canes responded as they held the Owls to just 4.3 yards per play (38 plays, 162 yards, three points) for the remainder of the game.

-Miami’s defensive unit held Bethune-Cookman to just 79 yards in its 2015 season opener and tallied its first shutout since 2010.

-The Hurricanes are ranked eighth nationally in total defense through the first two weeks of the season, holding opponents to just 234.0 yards per game.

Enjoy the game 'Canes fans, and be sure to leave plenty of comments below.