The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly: Georgia Tech Edition

They can’t all be easy....

The Miami Hurricanes faced their stiffest challenge to date today against a game Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets team, but they came away victorious 35-21.

This was not the prettiest performance ever, but a good learning experience nonetheless, and road conference wins are always money in the bank.

Turnovers were the difference today, as the young UM D was able to take the ball away as well as put points on the board.

Bring on the ‘Noles!

The particulars below.

The Good:

• Two defensive touchdowns in the span of three plays, both by freshmen?! That’s pretty darn good. Miami’s opportunistic defense was on full display with huge plays by Shaq Quarterman, Trent Harris (not a freshman but unloaded on Justin Thomas to create TD 1) and Joe Jackson.

• Joe Yearby and Mark Walton continue to be a dynamic duo at the RB position for the ‘Canes.

• Miami was strong between the tackles all day on defense, led by Quarterman and Michael Pinckney.
• When the ‘Canes faced some adversity in the 3rd Q, Brad Kaaya connected on three consecutive beautiful passes, including a nice pitch and run after catch to Stacy Coley to get some breathing room. It was also a milestone.

• A WR group that was a question mark before the season, has been very good this year led by Coley, freshman Ahmonn Richards, and Braxton Berrios (nice play below).

The Bad:

• Miami struggled this afternoon to contain the pitch man. It did not seem they were outflanked often, but defenders either could not get off their blocks or make a play outside the tackles on more than a few occasions.
• Not a great day for the O line. Kaaya was not protected all that well, and the backs rarely had huge lanes to run. Trevor Darling was shaken up early (he returned), and Tyree St Louis filled in, and did have some moments though.

• UM should have put this one away much earlier. Two quick three and outs to start the second half gave the Jackets life.
• I had flashbacks to last season’s version of Sunny Odogwu in the third quarter.
• Two iffy personal fouls (chop block and dead ball) against David Njoku killed a promising 4th Q drive.

The Ugly:

• What in the world is that thing next to Sebastian?

• I can’t stand all the chop blocks you see by GT. I always hold my breathe for UM defenders when they play the Jackets. Yes they are legal, but I am shocked more players don’t get hurt with 300 pound O lineman diving at their knees.

Team Grades:

Offense - Again, the O line was pedestrian. Odogwu did have a key block on Yearby’s opening score. Kaaya was good when he had time. Part of the problem for this unit was they weren’t on the field enough, but they certainly could have been better.

C+

Defense - They made big plays, but they gave up a bunch too. I was unpleasantly surprised by how easily the Jackets got the corner time and time again. Corn Elder was fantastic today though, and the two defensive TD’s were the difference.

B-

Special Teams - Not a lot to talk about here. Justin Vogel had a great 4th Q punt, But the coverage units gave up a long return on his next effort.

C

Coaching - Once again, the Hurricanes played very hard. The D seemed prepared for the flex bone, but missed tackles and couldn’t get enough blocks. A 14 point win on the road is nothing to sneeze at, but I think they need to play better next weekend if they hope to take down FSU.

B-