Notebook: Thoughts from win over GT

Notebook: Thoughts from win over GT

Peter Ariz
Peter Ariz
**Freshman defensive end Joe Jackson was a standout player for the Canes today, as was junior Trent Harris – both starred in roles that we haven’t seen them in this season. Prior to this game, defensive coordinator Manny Diaz had shown primarily 4-3 looks. Today against Georgia Tech’s triple option, there was heavy use of a 3-4 with Jackson and Harris used as the stand-up rushers on the edge.

Harris, who has been touted by coaches for his knowledge of the game, had 7 tackles, 3 TFL, and 2 sacks on Saturday, including one strip sack that led to a Shaq Quarterman scoop and score.

Jackson, the lanky, twitchy pass rusher from Gulliver Prep, had a big sack for the Canes, as well as a scoop and score of his own directly after Quarterman’s touchdown.
Miami’s leading tackler today was Jamal Carter with 9 (all solo).

Michael Pinckney struggled a bit early on against the outside pitch, but came on as the game progressed. He had a big third-down sack for Miami’s defense and wrapped up the win with his first career interception.

Overall, the defense gave up some chunks of yardage, but it’s been a very long time since we’ve seen a Miami Hurricanes defense who has a nose for the football like this. The mentality they’re playing with can break a game open, as we saw today with back-to-back defensive touchdowns.

**Miami’s passing game did not have to get too fancy on Saturday. Brad Kaaya was 13-19 for 241 yards and a touchdown. Again though, the Canes did not really take any shots deep downfield. Stacy Coley’s touchdown came on a quick slant. Chris Herndon’s 48-yard reception was essentially a dump down that he turned into a big play.

Every game is different, but one stat that stood out to me was the fact that Clemson QB Deshaun Watson threw for 304 yards on 48 attempts last week against Georgia Tech – only 63 more yards thank Kaaya on 29 more attempts.

Look for Mark Richt to open things up next week against Florida State, especially in the down field passing game and in the use of the tight ends Chris Herndon and David Njoku. Ahmmon Richards will need to be involved in the game plan next week as well.

**For the first time this season, the Canes did not have a ball carrier go for over 100 yards. Joseph Yearby was Miami’s most effective runner on the afternoon, averaging 7.2 yards per carry (9 rushes, 65 yards, TD). Mark Walton scored too – both him and Yearby have scored in all four of Miami’s games this season.

Gus Edwards got involved in the action. We haven’t seen much of him over the first few games, but Edwards got his first carry in the 2nd quarter and had two rushes in the game for 7 yards.

**Miami LT Trevor Darling missed a couple of series early in the game after limping off the field, but returned to action. LB Zach McCloud also hobbled off the field, but it did not appear serious either. CB Adrian Colbert returned to action today after missing the Appalachian State game.

**Welcome to Miami – Florida State week.
 

Comments (55)

Great write-up pete. Thanks for the coverage.

Undefeated in the Mark Rick Era. FSU at home. What a time. Let's ride.
 
Joe Jackson, Michael Pinckney, Trent Harris, Corn Elder & Shaq Quarterman were all great this game.

I feel like Ahmmon needed the ball more, and he still played lights out... Can't wait until he really gets unleashed!
Berrios, Coley & Herndon all played well too.
 
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Berrios has too few touches so far. Here's hoping the playbook opens up and he gets more touches.
 
I about puked when Darling went down. Good to see him come back from that.
 
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Pete, isn't the playcalling a bit conservative? Their DBs clearly couldn't cover our WRs, but Richt insisted on three yards and a cloud of dust, even in the fourth quarter when we could have put them away for good. When we threw it, it looked like 7on7. It was almost too easy. Love Richt, but I think this needs to change.
 
I thought maybe he was trying to rest the defense by running the ball. Can't blame him. I thought the running game would be better.

But yeah, the middle of the field was open.
 
Pete, isn't the playcalling a bit conservative? Their DBs clearly couldn't cover our WRs, but Richt insisted on three yards and a cloud of dust, even in the fourth quarter when we could have put them away for good. When we threw it, it looked like 7on7. It was almost too easy. Love Richt, but I think this needs to change.

Think how much our already thin defense would be on the field if we are scoring on quick passing drives. GT is a team that if they get a drive going, your defense will be on the field 6 or more minutes. That is an eternity. Now think think about us scoring in less than 2 minutes and the defense goes back for another 6+ minutes. Those guys will have played a full game by halftime.
 
Richt was chewing up the clock by running it and trying to keep the d off the field. Didn't work first two possessions of 2nd half. Then opened the playbook and scored a TD. To beat Tech need to chew up clock and minimize possessions. That is what Richt was doing.
 
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Stayed healthy, covered and won. Let's beat FSU.
 
Pete or Dmoney or whoever:

someone on another board mentioned this was Diaz's first time against the triple option. Is that true? if so, that was a pretty nice defensive effort for the first time.
 
That win was butt-ugly.

But we really didn't do much - and still won.

Didn't see crossing patterns, didn't go deep, didn't use our tight ends - FSU isn't going to had DIDDLY-SQUAT for film to look at.
 
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GT gashed us a little bit but playing with 3 true FR LBs can make that happen. I remember the game in 08 under Shannon. Not gonna be too critical when we come up against GT, I saw some changes and adjustments and our D is still attacking which causes big plays. You can win like that. I can't be too hard on the offense. Tech had almost 40 mins of the ball, it's very difficult to get in a rhythm like that. I'll take the win and love it. 4-0 and getting better

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Agree that the playcalling seemed vanilla again, I'm
Thinking next week is when we see the full compliment of plays.


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Clemson QB Deshaun Watson threw for 304 yards on 48 attempts last week against Georgia Tech – only 63 more yards thank Kaaya on 29 more attempts.
Interesting.

And GT definitely seemed to be more focused this game.
 
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I do not want to see a frigging 3-4 for any reason. When the option dominated college football every played the Okie defense which while a 5 -2 was essentially a 3-4. Our 4-3 drove the option out of college. Why the heck would anyone think going with the 5-2/3-4 against the offense that use to dominate it is a good idea. I was liking Diaz a lot, now i am back to worried about his hire.
 
The kids live up to "Big time players make big time plays in big games" Let the world be on notice, no longer will we ruin our youth with bad coaching.(Unless Diaz ever pulls that 3-4 thing again.)
 
Why isn't Berrios used like that kid Switzer from UNC? He should be our 3rd down go to WR


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