Recap: Canes FINALLY End Bowl Drought, Defeat WVU 31-14

That was the most fun I had all season! Winning is so fun, and WINNING BOWL GAMES ARE THAT MUCH BETTER! Miami was able to rally together and defeat No. 14 West Virginia 31-14.

As for Miami, the defense had control of the game from start to finish. Despite allowing the first touchdown of the game, Miami’s defense brought the STRAPS from start to finish. Miami’s offense on the other hand...ah. They didn’t play well for 60 minutes, but for last 37 minutes, they were ON FIRE! And it starting with this:

Ahmmon Richards brought the spark, and the Miami team rallied and never looked back. After tying the game 7-7, Miami scored two more times before the half, including this finesse touchdown pass from Kaaya to graduating senior Malcolm Lewis:

Brad Kaaya connected with Braxton Berrios on another beautiful touchdown pass in a masterful two-minute drive to make the score 21-7 before the half, seizing all momentum from the WVU sideline.

At this point, Miami had the Mountaineers sweating. They were now seeing the force Miami could be when they play a complete game and are clicking at all cylinders. The defense, wow. Skyler Howard and the West Virginia offense had no idea how to handle the Miami front 7 for the entire game.

Miami began the second half with a touchdown on their opening drive, making the score 28-7. It was at this point where we all knew David Njoku was going pro and declaring for the 2017 NFL Draft. He took a short pass on 2nd & 1, broke a tackle after making a first down, and leapt his way into the end zone for his eighth touchdown of the season.

WVU tried their hardest to make this game interesting, pulling to within two scores and making the score 28-14 after a Skyler Howard touchdown run. That was the last glimmer of hope for the Mountaineers, as the Canes defense absolutely smothered the WVU offense for the rest of the game. Howard and the offense were never able to get something going on the ground, which means the Miami defensive line was able to pin their ears back and unleash on Howard.

Miami added a late third quarter field goal to make the score 31-14 and didn’t look back. Miami held WVU scoreless for the rest of the game and only gave up 134 passing yards for ENTIRE game. Corn Elder led the team in tackles with seven and the Canes accumulated four sacks.

Brad Kaaya finished the game 24/34, 282 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions. One of the biggest highlights of the game (IMO) was that Miami got out of the game turnover-free.

Miami finished the season 9-4 (5-3 ACC) and will carry momentum into the offseason for the first time in a decade. The news also broke that tight end David Njoku will forgo his final two seasons in Miami and has declared for the 2017 NFL Draft. Despite the loss of Njoku, the future is bright for this squad. Now all eyes will be turned to Brad Kaaya as the football world awaits his decision to either stay in school for his senior season or declare of the NFL Draft.

Great season with a great time, now let’s go and finish strong for National Signing Day. Go Canes!!!