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Let's face it, this wasn't a Picasso.
But Miami pretty much controlled things from the get go, and pummeled a pretty decent Duke team from start to finish.
They let the Devils hang around, but were easily the best team on the field.
This was a very, very spirited effort.
.@TheStateOfTheU Great team win. Oline & RB's stepped up. Kaaya had 2 incredible TD's. The D came to play. Quieting the negativity. Go Canes
— John Pickens (@Jpickens15) September 28, 2014
Of course this is no time to rest on their laurels as they travel to Atlanta next week to take on undefeated Georgia Tech.
Let's break it all down:
The Good:
- I know we all get sick of the attendance (lack thereof) theme (44,509 is the reported paid attendance). Kudos the the hardcore fans who showed up (early or late).
A Miami crowd is late-arriving? NAH! RT @Ale_Narciso1: Lower bowl has been slowly filling up throughout the game pic.twitter.com/hQKkhO7Cu4
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) September 28, 2014
- Ladarius Gunter's coverage on his fourth quarter interception was textbook coverage and a brilliant catch on the sidelines.
- Speaking of defense, UM's much maligned unit showed up and dominated. Was Nebraska's O underrated? Was Duke's O overrated coming in? Both, maybe? The tackling for the most part was soooooooo much better than last week.
- Freshman Brad Kaaya to freshman Joe Yearby for 46 and a the clutch TD. Great protection, great read, great toss and catch.
- UM's offensive line mauled the Duke defensive front all night.
The Bad:
- Why not run the ball until they can stop it???
Play-calling through three quarters: 29 rushes, 6.1 yards per carry (Johnson 6.5, Yearby 7.7). Kaaya: 17-for-31, 163, 1 TD, 0 INT.
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) September 28, 2014
- Rough night all around for Stacy Coley, especially a drop in the first half on what coulda/shoulda/woulda been a TD.
Who is this impostor wearing the #3 jersey on offense and special teams this year? This is not the Freshman All-American we saw last year.
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) September 28, 2014
- Get well soon big fella......(ditto Taylor Gadbois who was shaken up in the 4th quarter) Miami is suddenly very short at RT.
Oh no RT @mattyports: Kc McDermott out for the rest of the game, WQAM reports. Severity of injury is unknown.
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) September 28, 2014
On no. Gadbois down now. Kc McDermott already done with a knee injury. Trevor Darling, you're up.
— StateOfTheU.com (@TheStateOfTheU) September 28, 2014
- Gus Edwards late fumble.... Can't have that big fella.
The Ugly:
- Just a strange strange game, this summed it up best:
Somehow I feel like the Canes should be up 20 but at the same time are lucky to be up 6. This game is Ebola.
— Rizz (@Rizzmigizz) September 28, 2014
- Blocked extra point, ugh... could have been costly.
- Refs calling a penalty on Denzel Perryman for doing push ups after a missed INT?? Over officious and silly!
The refs will do anything to punish #Canes! BS Flag for this?!? https://t.co/G38sVFIYLh
— Stat (@Stat1124) September 28, 2014
Team Grades:
Offense:
They really should have put more points on the board (unofficially 421 net yards, just 22 points). Joe Yearby (8-59 rushing, 4 catches 61 yards, 1 TD receiving) was a real weapon. Duke Johnson sliced and diced an over-matched Duke defensive front (24-144-1). Kaaya's two TD tosses were beautiful.
Defense:
Perryman looked like a completely different player from last week. The Devils did help the 'Cane D out with a couple of bad snaps, but for the most part it was all UM when Duke had the ball. Ufomba Kamalu, Anothony Chickillo, and Tyriq McCord all had very nice games. Duke QB Anthony Boone was harassed all night.
#Canes had 15 pass breakups, 5 QB hurries combined coming. They have 10 PBUs and 5 QB hurries tonight vs. #Duke
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) September 28, 2014
Special Teams:
Justin Vogel had a great night, the rest was so-so.
Coaching:
ESPN reported multiple times during the broadcast that Al Golden and staff made the defense watch EVERY single missed tackle from last week. The motivational ploy seemed to work. Mark D'Onofio brought more pressure, finally. Duke Head Coach David Cutcliffe is one of the best minds in the ACC, but he couldn't find a way to overcome the very apparent talent advantage of the 'Canes. James Coley got a little too cute with the play calling, but it didn't matter. There were a lot of whispers leading up this game that seat of the staff as a whole was going to get very warm with a loss. They put all that aside and got a very important W. Hopefully this is the kind of win that turns the corner for the staff and the program.