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No one knows yet if the University of Miami will self impose a postseason ban. But if they decide to play and finish off the ACC Coastal Division Championship with a win next week over Duke, today's performance just might make them a little scarier for FSU and/or any potential bowl opponent.
Morris from sharp from the get go, and hit Walford for 34 yards on UM's opening offensive snap to set the tone. A stingy defense and some sharp passes kept Miami in control of the first quarter and a half, however they were kept out of the end zone and settled for 3 Jake Wieclaw field goals and a 9-0 lead.
Any hopes USF had to move the ball consistently seemed to be wiped out in the 2nd quarter when Denzel Perryman knocked USF QB Bobby Eveld from the game with a ferocious hit. Eveld was replaced by freshman Matt Floyd.
Following a beautiful interception by Jimmy Gaines, Morris and UM finally found the end zone via an absolute laser to Kendall Thompkins from 15 yards. USF cut into the margin just before the half on a 23 yard FG by Maikon Bonani, but the game did not look or feel anywhere near that close.
The Hurricanes got right to work in the 3rd quarter. Morris and Dorsett connected a number of quick passes, and Duke Johnson capped the opening drive of the half with a scintillating 8 yard scamper. A few possessions later Miami would put the game well out of reach when Morris would draw the defense offside and take advantage of the free play with a bomb to Waters for 87 yards. Morris' hard count and ability to capitalize when drawing the defense in the neutral zone is beginning to look like a trademark, and has been a nice weapon all year.
In the fourth the highlight reel continued when Morris scrambled to create time, rolled to his right and unloaded to a wide open Walford for 65 yard TD and a 37-3 lead. From that point forward, Miami played mostly back-ups.
Morris finished the game 21-32 for 432 yards and 3 TDs.
Duke Johnson had 66 yards rushing and a TD.
Dorsett was sure-handed all day led the receivers with 11 catches for 104 yards. Walford added 3-135, and the freshman Waters who filled in for an injured Allen Hurns accumulated 4 for 130.
No matter what happens this week, Miami will travel Durham to take on the Duke Blue Devils. Whether the game is for a trip to the ACC Championship game remains to be seen.
Regardless of how long Miami's season goes on, Coach Al Golden and staff can definitely look at today as a day they young Hurricanes took a major step forward in their development. And in what has been an up and down season, that is great news for Miami fans!!