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Game Thread: Miami Football Looks to Bounce Back Vs North Carolina

The 'Canes need their A game in this critical Coastal Division showdown.

Evan Pike-USA TODAY Sports


We all know what happened last week.

But UM can not afford an FSU hangover.

Today's game gives them a chance to bounce back and put their season back on a promising track.

But it will not be easy against Mitch Trubisky and the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Please join in and leave plenty of comments with fellow Hurricanes fans below.

Game Notes (Courtesy UM):

MIAMI WELCOMES NORTH CAROLINA FOR KEY COASTAL MATCHUP

The Miami Hurricanes welcome North Carolina to Hard Rock Stadium Saturday afternoon for a key ACC Coastal matchup. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. on ABC or ESPN2.

The Hurricanes trail the Tar Heels in the all-time series by a 10-9 count. Saturday afternoon’s matchup will mark the 20th all-time meeting.

Seven of the previous 19 meetings have featured one ranked team. There has never been a matchup in the all-time series where both teams have been ranked.

Miami will honor the 15th anniversary of the 2001 National Championship team at halftime during the Hurricanes’ matchup with North Carolina.

MIAMI IN THE RANKINGS

The Hurricanes are currently ranked No. 16 in the Associated Press and No. 17 Amway Coaches Poll.

Miami has been ranked as high as No. 10 in both polls and was the highest-ranked FBS team in the state of Florida for the first time since Nov. 14, 2010.

Miami opened the season receiving votes in both polls.

A LOOK BACK AT FLORIDA STATE: CANES EDGED BY NOLES

Miami’s matchup with Florida State this past Saturday night marked the 61st meeting between the two schools. The Hurricanes lead the all-time series, 31-30.

The Hurricanes and Seminoles recognized those impacted by Hurricane Matthew by wearing helmet stickers. The two schools also presented a check for $100,000 prior to the game for hurricane relief.

The University of Miami honored the Hurricanes’ 1991 National Championship team during halftime.

Miami Starters:

OFFENSE: QB #15 Brad Kaaya, RB #1 Mark Walton, WR #3 Stacy Coley, WR #82 Ahmmon Richards, TE #23 Christopher Herndon IV, TE #86 David Njoku, LT #73 Trevor Darling, LG #52 Kc McDermott, C #68 Nick Linder, RG #63 Danny Isidora, RT #66 Sunny Odogwu

DEFENSE: DL #80 RJ McIntosh, DL #7 Kendrick Norton, DL #31 Demetrius Jackson, DL #9 Chad Thomas, LB #55 Shaquille Quarterman, LB #56 Michael Pinckney, LB #53 Zach McCloud, DB #22 Sheldrick Redwine, DB #29 Corn Elder, DB #6 Jamal Carter, DB #26 Rayshawn Jenkins

Junior kicker Michael Badgley, senior safety Jamal Carter, senior cornerback Corn Elder and junior quarterback Brad Kaaya represented the Hurricanes at the coin toss against Florida State as captains.

The Hurricanes outscored Florida State 3-0 in the first quarter. Miami has outscored its opponents 45-0 in the first quarter through five games this season.

Miami held a 13-3 lead at the half. Miami has never trailed in the first half this season.

Florida State’s touchdown with 3:32 in the third quarter marked the first time the Hurricanes have trailed at any point this season.

FSU’s field goal in the fourth quarter marked the first points Miami has surrendered in the final period all year. Miami has outscored its opponents 27-3 in the fourth quarter this season.

MEET THE NEW GUY IN TOWN - MARK RICHT

University of Miami Director of Athletics Blake James announced on Dec. 4, 2015 the hiring of Hurricane alumnus Mark Richt as the 24th head football coach at The U.

Richt was officially introduced to the public at a news conference at the Shalala Student Center.

Richt, born in Omaha, Neb., and raised in Boca Raton, Fla., returned to his alma mater after leading the University of Georgia football program for the previous 15 years. During that time he compiled a 145-51 overall record and an 85-40 mark in Southeastern Conference play.

Richt won two SEC championships, six SEC East titles and nine bowl games, and finished the season in the Associated Press Top 10 rankings seven times.

Career Victories - Active Coaches

1. Brian Kelly, Notre Dame 228

2. Nick Saban, Alabama 197

3. Bill Snyder, Kansas State 196

4. Bob Stoops, Oklahoma 182

5. Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech 171

6. Terry Bowden, Akron 163

7. Urban Meyer, Ohio State 159

8. Tommy Tuberville, Cincinnati 158

9. Rich Rodriguez, Arizona 155

10. Mark Richt, Miami 149

RICHT AND THE ACC

Mark Richt will faceoff against North Carolina for the first time in his head coaching career.

Richt holds a 20-4 record against teams from the ACC.

COMING BACK STRONG

Throughout his college coaching career, Mark Richt has posted a .741 winning percentage in large part to his teams not losing back-to-back games.

Over the course of his 201-game career as a head coach, Richt has only suffered back-to-back losses on 11 occassions.

Richt’s teams own a 34-12 record following a loss during the same season.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

Mark Richt will be in search of his 150th career win.

Quarterback Brad Kaaya needs 106 yards passing to overtake Hurricane legend and Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta for fourth on the all-time career passing yards list.

Kaaya will look to throw for 200-or-more yards for the 23rd time his career. In 22 of his 30 career games, Kaaya has thrown for over 200 yards. He also has at least one touchdown in 27 career outings.

Senior wide receiver Stacy Coley needs just 28 yards to move into second place on the all-time kickoff return list.

Coley needs just two more receiving touchdowns to crack the all-time top 10 for receiving touchdowns in a single season.

Coley needs seven receptions to pass former Hurricane star Travis Benjamin (131) for sixth on the all-time reception list.

Coley also is just 77 yards shy of passing Hurricane legend Andre Johnson for ninth all-time in career receiving yards.

If running back Joe Yearby surpasses 100 yards rushing, it would mark the eighth time in his career in which he has passed the century mark and would tie him for eighth all-time with Frank Gore.

Senior offensive lineman Danny Isidora will look to make his 32nd consecutive start. Isidora’s current consecutive start streak of 31 games is the team’s longest.

Ahmmon Richards needs just 29 yards to crack into the all-time top 10 for most receiving yards by a freshman pass catcher.

YIPPEE KAAYA

QB Brad Kaaya is in the midst of his junior season at Miami, in which he has already posted career numbers that rank among the most prolific in program history.

Kaaya was on the preseason watch lists for eight major honors: The Lombardi Award, the Manning Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, College Football Performance, the Davey O’Brien Award, American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team, the Wuerffel Trophy and the Maxwell Award.

Kaaya’s 7,585 career passing yards are already the fifth-most in Miami history. His 3,238 passing yards as a sophomore in 2015 are tied for the sixth-most in a single season, while his 3,198 yards in 2014 are the eighth-most. He is the only QB with two individual seasons ranking in the top 10.

With his three touchdown passes at Appalachian State, Kaaya passed legendary Hurricane quarterbacks Craig Erickson, Gino Torretta, Steve Walsh and Vinny Testaverde on the all-time touchdown pass list.

Kaaya’s 52 career touchdown passes are ranked third all-time in Miami history.

Kaaya has thrown for 200 or more yards in 22 of his 30 career games and has eight career 300-yard performances. His career high of 405 yards came at Florida State on October 10, 2015.

Kaaya was one of just three players nationally to throw for 3,000-or-more yards, 10-or-more touchdowns and five-or-fewer interceptions in 2015.

As a freshman in 2014, Kaaya was named the ACC Offensive and ACC Overall Rookie of the Year after a stellar first campaign with the Hurricanes.

MAKING HIS MARK

Running back Mark Walton has rushed for over 100 yards on the ground in three of the Hurricanes’ five games this season.

Walton scored a touchdown on the first play of the game at Appalachian State, as he raced 80 yards for the score. His 80-yard run was the longest of his young career.

Walton’s 80-yard touchdown run against Appalachian State remains as the longest rush in the ACC this season.

In 18 career games, Walton has scored 18 touchdowns (17 rushing, one receiving).

Walton currently ranks 35th nationally in rushing yards per game, averaging 111.3 yards per game. He also ranks ninth nationally in rushing touchdowns with eight.

Walton’s 6.29 yards per carry ranks 28th nationally.

On Sept. 10 against FAU, Walton rushed for a career-high 155 yards. He also scored a career-high four touchdowns against the Owls. In two career games against FAU, Walton has totaled seven rushing touchdowns.

Walton got off to an impressive start to the 2016 season, as he rushed for a then-career-high 116 yards and had one touchdown against FAMU.

Walton delivered an impressive first season with the Hurricanes as a freshman in 2015, ranking second on the team with 1,054 all-purpose yards and first with 10 total touchdowns.

Walton’s 10 touchdowns - nine rushing and one receiving - were tied with Stacy Coley (2013) for second-most by a Miami freshman since 2000.

Walton, who had 461 rushing yards and 293 receiving yards, was one of just 11 freshman running backs nationally with eight-or-more rushing touchdowns in 2015.

FRESHMAN PHENOMS

Miami freshman linebackers Michael Pinckney, Shaquille Quarterman and Zach McCloud have made an immediate impact in their first seasons at The U.

The three rookie linebackers have combined for 59.0 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks.

The Miami freshman trio has started at linebacker in the Hurricanes’ last three games. UM is the only school in the nation that has started three true freshman linebackers.

Pinckney and Quarterman are ranked second (25.0) and third (24.0) on the team in tackles, while McCloud ranks 13th on the team in tackles with 10.0.

HOME COOKIN’

The Hurricanes return to Hard Rock Stadium following their loss to Florida State. In three home games this season, Miami has outscored its opponents by a 127-33 mark and has posted a 2-1 record.

Since moving to Miami Gardens in 2008, Miami has posted a 38-16 record at home.

Miami owns a .704 winning percentage at home since 2008, a figure that ranks 32nd among FBS schools.

THE SPECIALIST

Punter Justin Vogel has gotten off to a strong start to his senior campaign through five games. The Tampa, Fla., native has 22 punts for 967 yards. His 44.0 yards per punt average ranks third in the ACC and 22nd nationally.

Vogel has eight punts inside the 20-yard line and has five that have gone over 50 yards.

Vogel earned Preseason All-ACC honors after a stellar junior season in which he was recognized with All-ACC third-team honors by media and All-ACC honorable mention from the league’s coaches.

Vogel averaged 42.5 yards per punt in 2015, while his 73-yarder against Clemson on Oct. 24 was the longest of any ACC punter in 2015. He totaled 13 punts of 50 yards or more last season.

Vogel was one of 28 punters to be named to the watch list for the 2016 Ray Guy Award. Vogel is a three-time Ray Guy Award nominee and was a semifinalist for the award in 2014.

After spending the 2013 season at Florida, Vogel averaged 42.8 yards per punt and 62.1 yards on kickoffs in 2014. He was named third-team All-ACC by Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association.

THE COLEY CONNECTION

Wide receiver Stacy Coley has established himself as one of the Hurricanes’ top pass catchers of all-time. In 41 career games, Coley has hauled in 125 receptions (seventh all-time) for 1,755 yards (10th all-time) and 17 touchdowns (tied for seventh all-time).

Coley enters this week’s game as the ACC Receiver of the Week after he hauled in seven catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns.

He currently stands as the team’s leading pass catcher with 22 receptions.

In his last three outings, Coley caught 16 passes for 240 yards and five touchdowns.

Coley has caught a pass in 14 straight games.

Coley had a dominant freshman season in 2013, earning freshman All-America honors and All-ACC recognition after leading the team with 1,461 all-purpose yards.

After a quiet 2014, he returned to form in 2015. Despite missing two games with a hamstring injury, Coley finished second on the team in catches (47) and receiving yards (689).

Coley’s 79.2 yards-per-game average in conference play ranked second in the ACC last season.

He caught at least three passes in each of his final nine games in 2015, and had 678 yards over that span.

Following the 2015 campaign, he earned All-ACC Second Team (Coaches) and All-ACC Third Team (ACSMA) recognition.

BADG-O-MATIC

Junior Michael Badgley enjoyed a prolific season in 2015, setting the single-season record for made field goals (25) and besting the previous school record held by Jon Peattie (22, 2003). He entered the year on the watch list for the Lou Groza Award, which honors the nation’s best kicker.

Badgley has connected on 27 extra points this season. His consecutive streak for PAT kicks made ended this past weekend at 72. He has now 101 PAT kicks for his career. He is 4-for-6 in field goal attempts this season.

This past weekend against Florida State, Badgley drilled two field goals, including a season-long 51 yard field goal.

Against Appalachian State, Badgley connected on six extra points and a 44-yard field goal. He is a perfect 13-of-13 in field goal attempts from between 40-49 yards during his UM career.

Badgley tied a UM record when he hit a 57-yard field goal against Georgia Tech in 2015.

The Summit, N.J., native set a school record when he hit five field goals against Nebraska in 2015, and would tie that mark later in the season with five field goals made against Pittsburgh.

Badgley’s 2.08 field goals per game average ranked first in Division I last season, while his 25 made field goals were tied for fourth-most in the nation. He ranked 16th in scoring (9.6 points per game).

THE SOUTH FLORIDA DUO

Miami running backs Mark Walton and Joe Yearby have combined to rush for 844 yards this season.

Louisville’s rushing duo of Lamar Jackson and Brandon Radcliff are the only other rushing tandem in the ACC that have more combined yards than Walton and Yearby.

Walton (484) and Yearby (360) have accounted for 85 percent of the Hurricanes rushing output this year.

In addtion, Walton (48) and Yearby (30) have combined for 78 points. Both players have scored a least one touchdown in every game this season.

Both Walton (Booker T. Washington) and Yearby (Miami Central) attended Miami-area high schools before joining the Hurricanes.

Consistent canes

Offensive lineman Danny Isidora, leads all Hurricanes with 31 straight starts.

Fellow offensive linemen Nick Linder and Trevor Darling also have proven to be mainstays on the Hurricanes’ offensive line as they have both started 23 straight games.

Isidora, Linder, Darling and running back Joe Yearby were the only Hurricanes to start every game last season.

Miami’s active all-time start leaders include offensive lineman Danny Isidora (31), quarterback Brad Kaaya (30), defensive back Rayshawn Jenkins (27) and wide receiver Stacy Coley (25).

TAKE THREE

Miami is 17-1 since 2011 when forcing three-or-more turnovers, plus the Canes have won 62 of their last 66 games when recording at least three takeaways.

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION

Miami has scored 207 points through five games this season.

The Hurricanes are averaging 41.4 points per game, which ranks 16th in the NCAA and second in the ACC.

The Hurricanes have outgained their opponents 2,173-1,420 through five games this season.

Miami scored 70-or-more points for just the third time in school history on Sept. 3 as the Hurricanes hung 70 points on FAMU in their home opener.

Miami’s offense over the past two seasons has been among the most explosive in program history, ranking second in 2014 (5,594) and ninth in 2015 (5,161).

UM compiled 5,536 total yards in 2013, which ranks as the third-best total in history.

ALMOST PERFECT 10

Teams rarely beat Miami when scoring 10-or-fewer points.

The Hurricanes are now 161-2 in their last 163 games when holding opponents to 10 points or less, after winning 45-10 at Appalachian State. That run goes back to Oct. 1, 1977, ironically, a season that began with Miami holding its first two opponents to exactly 10 points apiece and still losing both of those games.

The only 10 points allowed-or-less losses since: Nov. 8, 2003 to Tennessee (10-6) and Sept. 5, 2005 to Florida State (10-7).

KOOL CANES

Craig Kuligowski, who is widely regarded as one of the top defensive line coaches in the country, has already made an immediate impact in his first season at Miami. The Hurricanes currently lead the nation in tackles for loss per game (10.8) and are ranked eighth in sacks per per game (3.60).

Through five games, Miami has totaled 54 tackles for loss and 19 sacks. In 2015, the Hurricanes recorded 66 tackles for loss and 26 sacks for the entire season.

Prior to arriving at Miami, Kuligowski spent 15 years at Missouri where his defensive line units frequently ranked among the nation’s best in tackles for loss and sacks.

GETTING DEFENSIVE

Under first year defensive coordinator and Miami native Manny Diaz, the Hurricanes are ranked in the top 10 nationally in five different categories: scoring defense (No. 5/12.8), team passing efficiency defense (No. 10/103.37), team sacks (No. 8/3.60), tackles for loss (No. 1/10.8) and total defense (No. 10/284).

Miami has allowed just seven touchdowns in its last 22 quarters, dating back to last season.

Miami’s defense has started and finished games strong, as it has not allowed a single point in the first quarter and just three points in the fourth quarter.

In its ACC opener against Georgia Tech, Miami’s defense accounted for 12 points as freshmen Shaquille Quarterman and Joe Jackson each returned a fumble for a touchdown.

Against Appalachian State, Miami held the Mountaineers to just 2.6 yards per carry on the ground.

Miami dominated FAU in the first half, as it held the Owls to just one yard rushing on 17 attempts. The Hurricanes also did not allow the Owls to convert one third-down conversion as they went 0-for-11. FAU finished the game with just 46 yards.

The Hurricanes opened the year on a high note, as they held FAMU to just 43 second half yards.

PAVING THE WAY

The Hurricanes’ offensive line has paved the way for 992 rushing yards this season. Miami’s ground attack is averaging 198.4 yards per game, which ranks 43rd in the country and fifth in the ACC.

Through five games, the Hurricanes have totaled 292 plays and have allowed just 18.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. Miami opponents are averaging just 3.00 tackles for loss per game - a figure that ranks second in the ACC and seventh nationally.

Center Nick Linder was named to the Lombardi Award, Outland Award and Rimington Trophy preseason watch lists. Fellow offensive lineman Danny Isidora also was named to the Outland Award watch list.

UM entered the 2015 season with one of the youngest offensive lines in the ACC, totaling 23 starts. Miami offensive linemen now have 100 career starts.

In 13 games last season, Miami’s youthful offensive line, which consisted of a combination of one redshirt freshman, three sophomores and two juniors, allowed the Hurricanes to average 401.4 yards per game in total offense.

A SPECIAL TEAM

Miami special teams have played a major factor in the Hurricanes’ four wins this season.

Sophomore RJ McIntosh blocked his first career punt against FAU on Sept. 10. It marked the second straight week in which a Miami player had blocked a punt. Pat Bethel blocked a punt in the Hurricanes’ season opener against FAMU.

The Hurricanes are one of just seven teams nationally that have blocked two punts this season.

Junior Braxton Berrios’ 41-yard punt return for a touchdown in Miami’s season opener against FAMU was the first of his career. It also marked the first time a Hurricane had scored on a punt return since Corn Elder did so against Bethune-Cookman in 2015.

Berrios also had a career-best 43-yard punt return, which set up the Hurricanes second touchdown of the night against Florida State.

Berrios currently ranks 11th in the nation in punt return average (13.4).

Junior kicker Michael Badgley has connected on 27 extra points this season. He also is 4-of-6 in field goals this year, including a season-long 51 yard field goal against Florida State.

Senior Justin Vogel ranks third in the ACC in punting, averaging 44.0 yards per punt.

#PROCANES CONTINUING TRADITION

Miami currently has 43 #ProCanes on NFL rosters; 22 of 32 NFL teams had at least one former Cane on their roster, while the Indianapolis Colts lead all teams with four.

Miami had two players selected in the 2016 NFL Draft this past year: DB Artie Burns (1st round, PIT) and DB Deon Bush (4th, CHI).

Miami had eight former student-athletes sign free agent contracts following the 2015 season: Rashawn Scott (MIA), Tracy Howard (CLE), Ufomba Kamalu (DEN), Calvin Heurtelou (HOU), Herb Waters (GB), Tyriq McCord (PIT) and Raphael Kirby (DET).

The Hurricanes have had five or more players taken in the NFL Draft on 24 separate occasions since 1980.

Ninety five Hurricanes have been picked in the NFL Draft since the start of the 2000 season, a figure that is tied for second-most among all NCAA programs.

Miami’s 29 NFL first-round draft picks since 2000, including Artie Burns (No. 25 overall) in 2016, are the most among all NCAA programs.

CAN OF CORN

Cornerback Corn Elder has continued to build off of his strong junior campaign. Through five games in 2016, Elder has totaled 21.0 tackles (20.0 solo), 1.0 tackle for loss, 1.0 sack, one interception and four pass breakups.

His four pass break ups are team-best. His 20.0 solo tackles rank second on the team.

In the Hurricanes’ home opener against FAMU, Elder picked off a pass and tallied a pair of tackles.

In Miami’s first road game of the year at Appalachian State, Elder tied a career high with 7.0 tackles. He also tallied a sack, a tackle for loss, one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry.

In its ACC opener at Georgia Tech, Elder registered 3.0 tackles and one pass break up.

During the Canes’ last outing versus Florida State, Elder registered 6.0 tackles and one pass break up.

Elder emerged as one of Miami’s top playmakers in 2015.

Elder took the final lateral of "The Return" 91 yards to give Miami a 30-27 win over Duke in 2015.

Elder tied for fifth in the ACC with 13 passes defended (1.0 per game).

Elder led all UM cornerbacks in sacks with 2.0 in 2015.

THE CAPTAINS

This season Miami will select its captains on a game-by-game basis.

In game six, senior cornerback Corn Elder, senior offensive lineman Danny Isidora, sophomore defensive lineman R.J. McIntosh and freshman linebacker Shaquille Quarterman will represent the Hurricanes during the coin toss against North Carolina.

PREVIOUS CAPTAINS

Week 1: Jamal Carter, Danny Isidora, Brad Kaaya and Justin Vogel

Week 2: Braxton Berrios, Corn Elder, Nick Linder, Rayshawn Jenkins

Week 3: Braxton Berrios, Shaquille Quarterman, Sheldrick Redwine, Marquez Williams

Week 4: Michael Badgley, Danny Isidora, Kendrick Norton, Chad Thomas

Week 5: Michael Badgley, Jamal Carter, Corn Elder, Brad Kaaya

EDWARDS SHINES IN RETURN TO THE GRIDIRON

Redshirt junior running back Gus Edwards returned to the lineup against FAMU. Edwards missed the entire 2015 season with a foot injury suffered during preseason training camp.

In his first action since 2014, Edwards rushed for 106 yards on seven carries and one touchdown.

Edwards rushed for 349 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore in 2014 after posting 337 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman. He has a career rushing average of 5.4 yards.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW

Miami had 13 freshmen make their debuts on Sept. 3 against FAMU in the form of DL Pat Bethel, DB Romeo Finley, RB Travis Homer, DL Joe Jackson, DB Jeff James Jr., TE Michael Irvin II, LB Zach McCloud, WR Dionte Mullins, LB Michael Pinckney, LB Shaquille Quarterman, WR Ahmmon Richards, DB Cedrick Wright and DB Malek Young.

McCloud, Pinckney, Quarterman and Richards also started for the Hurricanes.

ZAGACKI AND BAILEY RETURN TO THE BOOTH FOR YEAR 15

• "Voice of the Hurricanes" Joe Zagacki and color commentator Don Bailey, Jr. are in the booth for their 15th year of Miami football on the radio.

The radio team has broadcast 219 straight games together.

2016 Miami Hurricane Football Affiliates

Miami’s Sports Radio 560 WQAM: Miami- Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach

WKWF AM Sports Radio1600: Key West- Marathon-Key Largo

ESPN West Palm 106.3FM: West Palm Beach

WPSL 1590 The Talk of the Treasure Coast: Stuart-Ft Pierce-Port St Lucie

WSTU AM 1450 Martin County’s Heritage Station: Stuart-Jupiter

WFWN 97.3 The Fan: FT Myers-Naples

WHOO 1080 SPORTS TALK 1080 Orlando-Kissimmee

WHBO 1040 Sports Talk 1040: Tampa-St Petersburg

WXIC 1060 AM: Melbourne-Titusville

1010XL-92.5FM: Jacksonville Sports Radio - Jacksonville - St. Augustine

1490 WTKE: Fox Sports Radio Northwest Florida’s New Home for Sports-Pensacola

UP NEXT

The University of Miami football team travels to Virginia Tech for a Thursday night matchup on ESPN. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.