The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: Virginia Edition

Coming in to this afternoon’s contest Vs UVA in Charlottesville, Miami was expected to win, and win big.

Well it wasn’t always easy today.

But UM’s defense was mostly air tight in the final 30 minutes, and their offense (especially the running game) did enough to secure their second straight win, 34-14 over a bad Hoos team.

Can the ‘Canes run the table to conclude the season?

They are halfway there.

The particulars below.

The Good:

• The kid can play. Mark Walton just keeps getting better and better. His 4th Q score put this one away.

• This is always good to see!

• What a great job by Walton breaking tackles on a screen on UM’s second possession. Grown ass man stuff that led to Miami’s first score a play later by Joe Yearby.

• The D was very active yet again up front. It continued all day long.

• Great adjustment by Malcolm Lewis on his first half 44 yard reception.
• Enough said....

• Huge play on the corner blitz by Corn Elder to force a second half turnover.

• Ladies and Gentleman, Ahmmon Richards. The freshman WR continues to show his superstar potential, week in and week out.

• Solid win, against a team the Hurricanes were supposed to beat. They played with effort and passion, even if this wasn’t a masterpiece.

The Bad:

• Yeah, this is not how you want to start.....

• Brad Kaaya had a wide open Stacy Coley in the second Q, but tossed to a double teamed David Njoku instead. Bad read, missed chance at 6. He also missed a wide open Coley on an overthrow in the 3rd Q.
• Too many coverage breakdowns on UVA’s second scoring drive. Miami’s DB’s did not do a good job of sticking to their men either.

The Ugly:

• Two costly second quarter penalties on Tyler Gauthier cost the Hurricanes points.

Team Grades:

Offense - Alex Gall looked pretty good at C, filling in for Nick Linder. Gauthier also had some nice moments along the O line, despite the above. It was good to see Gus Edwards get involved as well. Kaaya was a little off today, but effective nonetheless. Walton and Richards bring it every week.

B

Defense - The ‘Canes defense hit hard, but there were some coverage mistakes. They also over pursued on some running plays that could or should have resulted in TFL’s. Joe Jackson showed his motor on the strip sack he produced in the 4th Q. Great second half effort overall for this group, in which they forced 4 turnovers.

B+

Special Teams - Michael Badgley nailed a 40 yard FG in the 1st half. He added a third quarter 44 yard bomb. However he missed from 50 in the second half as well. The kick off team also gave up one long second half return.

C+

Coaching - Love the 1st quarter 4th down gamble. Nice second half adjustments by the entire staff. They did what they had to do today.

B