Miami Hurricanes Football: 3 Stars from North Carolina Game

Vengeance is supposed to be sweet, especially when it comes on the road. The Miami Hurricanes continued their winning ways, defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels by the score of 24 –19 on Saturday. This game was much closer than any Hurricanes fans hoped for or expected. However, thanks again to some timely play from the defense, the Hurricanes are still looking at a 0 in the loss column at this point in the season. Here are three players that helped Miami get the W today.

#3: Sheldrick Redwine

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The Hurricanes defense bent, but held together in the first half. Part of that had to do with the support from S Sheldrick Redwine who made plays in coverage, such as his coverage in the redzone to limit UNC to a field goal, as well as coming in to help against Tar Heel runs. Of course, the highlight of the day for Redwine will be his first collegiate interception. Redwine finished the day with five total tackles, half a sack, and one interception.

#2: Michael Jackson

We’ll let you pick the ‘Prince of Pop’ reference this week, but CB Michael Jackson continues to make plays. He snagged his fourth interception of the season, giving the world the opportunity to bathe in the glory of the ‘Turnover Chain’. Jackson’s coverage throughout the game was pretty good. Jackson piled up six tackles and one pass break up to go along with his interception.

#1: Braxton Berrios

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How about the kid from North Carolina. WR Braxton Berrios was targeted early in the game, making four receptions. For whatever reason, the play calling went away from him, yet there he was catching a huge 42-yard reception to get Miami out of the shadow of the endzone in the third quarter. Berrios helped the ’Canes seal the win with the go-ahead touchdown from five yards out and recovered an onside kick to help Miami cling to the lead late in the game. Berrios did all he could for the U in his home state. Berrios finished the day with a final stat line of seven receptions, 78 receiving yards and one touchdown.

Honorable Mentions

Miami was led primarily by the performance of the defense this afternoon. Many members on that side of the ball had outstanding moments in today’s contest.

When he was needed most, LB Shaq Quarterman donned the “S” on his chest for the Hurricanes defense. Backed up on a their own goalline on 4th and Goal, Quarterman was shot out of cannon to sack UNC QB Chazz Surratt for a sack, turning the ball over on downs and shifting the momentum. How about that bodyslam on the FG fake by UNC in early in the second quarter.

While the entire defensive line had a good game, the brightest star of them all was RJ McIntosh. The defensive line did their best against a unknown variable when third-string QB Nathan Elliott took the majority of the snaps for North Carolina.

Today’s late game saviour was DE Joseph Jackson, who stripped North Carolina RB Jordan Brown and was recovered by S Jaquan Johnson late in the fourth quarter. While Johnson got to wear the chain, plenty of credit should go to Jackson for the effort and hustle. Johnson tied with DT RJ McIntosh for the team lead in tackles on the day with 11.

LB Charles Perry got celebrate with chain earlier in the game when he secured his first interception of the season.

In regards to the offense, it looked like they put on their ugly halloween mask and delivered a just as hideous perfomance for most of the game. However, there were a few bright spots on that side of the ball as well.

Boom goes the dynamite, gasp goes the the Tar Heel faithful. WR Jeff Thomas helped to take the air out of Keenan Memorial Stadium after his his 78-yard touchdown reception. Thomas is becoming that deep vertical threat that opposing defenses need to account for each week.

The ever reliable Christopher Herndon IV came through for the offense again. On a big 51-yard reception where he avoided multiple tacklers to score Miami’s first touchdown on the day.

IT’S ALWAYS ABOUT THE U!