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The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly: Duke Edition

By Jerry Steinberg
NCAA Football: Duke at Miami Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Congratulations to the seniors!

The Miami Hurricanes struggled early on with Duke, but closed the game spectacularly in a 40-21 win to close out the 2016 regular season.

The first half was often very frustrating to watch, but UM got it going in the final 30 to finish the season 8-4 and riding a 4 game winning streak.

Brad Kaaya also had a record setting day.

The particulars below.

The Good:

  • One of the most underrated LB’s to ever play for the ‘Canes:
  • Kaaya to David Njoku when it was needed most. Their third Q hook up reminded us that....

And in the 4th quarter, we saw it again....

  • Kaaya’s accomplishments continue to impress.
  • We’ve been waiting for the wheel route to Mark Walton all year. Finally got it on UM’s second drive. And it was sensational.
  • This is also nice. Demetrius Jackson has really made strides this season.
  • Jamal Carter making plays in his last UM home game....
  • Took a little longer than expected, but we will take the pretty 3Q drive that put this one away.
  • Just a great second half on both sides of the ball.

The Bad:

  • Duke basically smoke and mirrored their way to an opening drive TD. Miami did not look prepared on defense.
  • Not a fan either......
  • They always seem to waste one or two... WHY?!!
  • Rayshawn Jenkins, not on senior day, please!!

The Ugly:

  • You get it..

Team Grades:

Offense - The O line continued to make strides today. But I expected this unit as a whole to roll over the Devils the way they did in the second half, through out the game. Kaaya and Stacy Coley were outstanding in the final 2 quarters, as was Njoku. Mark Walton is still a beast. But where was Joe Yearby?

B+

Defense - Expected a lot more today from this group. Like the O. they picked it up in the second half, but I was surprised it took so long. The TFL’s and sacks just weren’t where we expect from Coach Diaz’ unit, though Kendrick Norton did have one. Nonetheless, they made it look easy when it counted most.

B+

Special Teams - Michael Badgley was true on a 47 yard FG to open scoring. Justin Vogel had a good day too. Solid overall.

B

Coaching - The team was not exactly sharp to start today. This is a Duke team they should have stomped for 60 minutes. But adjustments were made, and a win is a win.

B+