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I don’t how much turkey slices or Wild Turkey pours will help erase the embarrassment of Miami’s shocking loss to the Florida International Panthers. The 30-24 defeat was an Orange Bowl homecoming from hell. True to the pattern of the season, the Canes continually refuse to sustain success. In a game in which the Hurricanes out-gained FIU 413 to 297 in total yards, had 9 more first downs (26 to 170), and out possessed the Panthers, it was the 3 turnovers that proved to be the deciding difference. Canes fans watched as the offense was stifled so much that the team didn’t score a point until Camden Price’s 22-yard FG with 1:52 left in the third quarter. Jarren Williams’ 3 interception performance, the lack of production from skill position players (K.J. Osborn, Jeff Thomas, Dee Wiggins, and Michael Harley), and the overall effort of the team are inexcusable. It was frustrating, unbearable, and left many fans wondering about the direction of the team.
The Jarren Williams Conversation
When you’re QB 1 at Miami, the wins and losses will be directly placed on your shoulders. Quarterback is a leadership position. The team goes where the quarterback leads them. Many fans took to social media to discuss the downs-and-downs of Williams’ 249 yards, 2 TDs, and 3 INTs performance against FIU. Tate Martell was even mentioned. If the coaches and staff want Jarren Williams to lead Miami for years to come, they have to do a much better job of putting him and the team in a better position to succeed. The young quarterback also needs to be better.
Why jarren williams is still on the field is beyond me. You’re telling me Tate Martel didn’t beat this guy out. ♂️
— Noey Figueroa (@noeydf1) November 24, 2019
Jarren Williams can’t come back from this. He has to transfer out. 3 picks vs FIU pretty much lost the game single handedly. He’s the main reason. Imagine living with that. Like that. He’s gotta go.
— When Ducks Cry (@Betterduck) November 24, 2019
Jarren Williams is still Miami's quarterback. He will be next year. And he will be the year after that.
— fire someone (@hurricanesmarsh) November 24, 2019
The Coaching Conversation
Manny Diaz’s first year as head coach has led to considerable conversations about the identity of the team, his “The New Miami” mantra, and the results on the field. OC Dan Enos and DC Blake Baker have been disappointments. In many aspects, the team appears to have regressed on both sides. Jarren Williams mentioned after the game that FIU was aggressive and continually biting on Miami’s routes. There was no adjustment by Enos. The quarterback run call on fourth-and-goal at the one-yard line still triggers me.
Dan Enos is Miami’s version of LSU hiring Matt Canada. Always the smartest guy in the room. Hope we learn and move on just as Lsu did.
— Scott Reese (@scottmreese) November 24, 2019
Just get me Gleason or Yost as OC. And send Blake Baker so far away from Coral Gables even a GPS can’t locate him...
— Jeremy Wilkerson DSW Recruiting (@DSW_Recruiting) November 24, 2019
➖Manny gets a fair shot (3 years to see a turnaround)
— Kiss Your Lovers & Eat Your Wings (@Canes_LoudMouth) November 24, 2019
➖Blake Baker needs to go after the season. Guy is limp for a D-Coordinator.
➖Enos needs to be seriously evaluated. Possibly also doesn’t return.
➖Ceasing all clown activities till team shows real focus n grit.
The “Where Do We Go from Here” Conversation
Miami has already seen two (Romello Brinson and Jacolby George) decommits since the FIU loss. One fan noted the inability to explain the defeat to incoming hopefuls. Decommitments are a part of the recruiting cycle. Let’s not sound the alarm bells just yet. The video of freshman Jalar Holley dancing on the sideline has been making its rounds. It’s never a great time when the character of your team and its commitment to winning is called into question.
Recruits: Coach why should we come to The University of Miami?
— Stadium and Gale (@StadiumAndGale) November 24, 2019
Manny Diaz, after the loss to FIU: pic.twitter.com/dsgK4z5cd4
Man, just saw this now. Not sure what to say...all I know, as a player or a coach if I see this while I’m getting punked 13-0 it’s not ending well! Throw the turnover chain and TD ring away! F$&k having fun!!! Winning is fun enough for me!
— Joaquin Gonzalez (@Joaquin_UMOL73) November 25, 2019
Congrats Butch, well played! https://t.co/F2dE3GrqhE
we will build this program. We need a starting point and sample size to measure where we are. Imho we got cocky, we reverted back to giving up them 1st downs on 3 and 16(Blake and Secondary). Enos did not run the ball enough last night. Trust Robet Burns let him play more with
— D.Green (@DerrickGrn) November 24, 2019
The Hurricanes take on the Duke Blue Devils this Saturday for their regular-season finale. Another loss, similar to that of the FIU disaster, will have fans continue to question if “The New Miami” is just the same old Miami with a different name.