After the Hurricanes lost to NC State a few weeks ago I went all Pete Axthelm and predicted that our beloved team would not win another game the rest of the season. Fortunately I was wrong, as the 'Canes ended the 2023 regular season with an emphatic 45-20 victory in Chestnut Hill over the Boston College Eagles
Yeah, you know what they say about winning -- it beats losing.
Especially if it means finishing with a 7-5 mark, after last years 5-7 showing in Mario Cristobal's first year leading the Miami program. And it's better than 6-6 because nowadays in terms of recruiting, and the perception of recruits, optics matter more than ever.
After the defense got gashed on the opening drive as if they were still in tryptophan induced coma, the 'Canes quickly took control of things, and behind a steady effort from Tyler Van Dyke, they just methodically beat up BC.
TVD was solid today (23/36, 290 yards, 2 TDs), as he directed the Miami offense. All three starting wideouts contributed, as did the stable of running backs. Yeah, that wasn't an Eagle defense with Luke Kuechly, or Mike Ruth, but it was still good to see this production for a unit that went dormant the last two-thirds of the season.
Yeah, I guess you could say that this was proof of the new culture under Cristobal, because in past years, we've seen UM teams not even show up for the final game (just look at last years non-effort against Pitt at home.)
If this was the quarterback play and offense that Miami had throughout the season, this would've been a 10-plus win squad. And that's the frustrating thing about this season, you could see the progress being made, but you got the sense it could've been much better in terms of the bottom line.
How does this season play out if Miami goes into 'victory formation' against Georgia Tech and takes a knee?
- Unlike last week versus Louisville, Miami had the ball up 21-7 with about two-and-a-half minutes left in the half, they attacked downfield, went up-tempo. This drive was capped off by a Henry Parrish two yard touchdown to put Miami up 28-7. Instead of just sitting on the ball, and grinding the ball, they pressed the gas pedal.
I consider this a sign of growth from coach Cristobal.
- And speaking of Parrish, can we put some respect on his name? For some reason he seems to take a lot of heat from our fan base. I get it, he's not Edgerrin James or Willis McGahee, but he's a solid, dependable runner with nimble feet. He isn't a home run hitter but if there 5-6 yards to get on a play, he will usually make the right reads/cuts to get that yardage.
That 15 yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter to put UM up 14-7 is a run that no one else on this roster could make, as he bounced it outside and used his quickness to turn the corner. Later on in the game he broke off a couple of more long runs. Again, he may not have they physical features of a Mark Fletcher, but he has superior accleration and better vision. Parrish finished the day with 11 carries for 111 yards and two scores.
He may not be in the pantheon of all-time great Miami backs, but I'll always remember him as a player that understood how to play the game correctly, was very reliable and always left it out there for Miami.
- Speaking of giving credit, Xavier Restrepo had another big day with 6 grabs for 117 yards, and great diving catch on a fourth down in the 3rd quarter to keep a scoring drive alive. He is now the doorstep of surpassing the 1,000 yard mark going into the bowl game.
For some reason he's a player that some in the Miami fan base believes can be easily replaced. I couldn't disagree more. All 'X' does is produce, and he's a sound and dependable player. Something that is an absolute must in the slot position. His production speaks for itself. Whenever he leaves the program, he will be missed greatly.
- Kiko Mauigoa, I call him 'Elmers' because he is the glue to this defense. A lot has been made about the impact of a lot of newcomers this season, Mauigoa has been as good as anyone as he has helped solidify the linebacking unit. His return in 2024 is as important as any player on the team, alongside Matt Lee.
- Another regular season in the books. As I mentioned earlier, I believe this is a MUCH better team than last season. For all my criticisms of Cristobal, I'm still a supporter of his. But at the same time, moving forward, my belief is that he has to really look at his offensive approach and improve his game management to take this program where we all want it.
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
Yeah, you know what they say about winning -- it beats losing.
Especially if it means finishing with a 7-5 mark, after last years 5-7 showing in Mario Cristobal's first year leading the Miami program. And it's better than 6-6 because nowadays in terms of recruiting, and the perception of recruits, optics matter more than ever.
After the defense got gashed on the opening drive as if they were still in tryptophan induced coma, the 'Canes quickly took control of things, and behind a steady effort from Tyler Van Dyke, they just methodically beat up BC.
TVD was solid today (23/36, 290 yards, 2 TDs), as he directed the Miami offense. All three starting wideouts contributed, as did the stable of running backs. Yeah, that wasn't an Eagle defense with Luke Kuechly, or Mike Ruth, but it was still good to see this production for a unit that went dormant the last two-thirds of the season.
Yeah, I guess you could say that this was proof of the new culture under Cristobal, because in past years, we've seen UM teams not even show up for the final game (just look at last years non-effort against Pitt at home.)
If this was the quarterback play and offense that Miami had throughout the season, this would've been a 10-plus win squad. And that's the frustrating thing about this season, you could see the progress being made, but you got the sense it could've been much better in terms of the bottom line.
How does this season play out if Miami goes into 'victory formation' against Georgia Tech and takes a knee?
- Unlike last week versus Louisville, Miami had the ball up 21-7 with about two-and-a-half minutes left in the half, they attacked downfield, went up-tempo. This drive was capped off by a Henry Parrish two yard touchdown to put Miami up 28-7. Instead of just sitting on the ball, and grinding the ball, they pressed the gas pedal.
I consider this a sign of growth from coach Cristobal.
- And speaking of Parrish, can we put some respect on his name? For some reason he seems to take a lot of heat from our fan base. I get it, he's not Edgerrin James or Willis McGahee, but he's a solid, dependable runner with nimble feet. He isn't a home run hitter but if there 5-6 yards to get on a play, he will usually make the right reads/cuts to get that yardage.
That 15 yard touchdown scamper in the second quarter to put UM up 14-7 is a run that no one else on this roster could make, as he bounced it outside and used his quickness to turn the corner. Later on in the game he broke off a couple of more long runs. Again, he may not have they physical features of a Mark Fletcher, but he has superior accleration and better vision. Parrish finished the day with 11 carries for 111 yards and two scores.
He may not be in the pantheon of all-time great Miami backs, but I'll always remember him as a player that understood how to play the game correctly, was very reliable and always left it out there for Miami.
- Speaking of giving credit, Xavier Restrepo had another big day with 6 grabs for 117 yards, and great diving catch on a fourth down in the 3rd quarter to keep a scoring drive alive. He is now the doorstep of surpassing the 1,000 yard mark going into the bowl game.
For some reason he's a player that some in the Miami fan base believes can be easily replaced. I couldn't disagree more. All 'X' does is produce, and he's a sound and dependable player. Something that is an absolute must in the slot position. His production speaks for itself. Whenever he leaves the program, he will be missed greatly.
- Kiko Mauigoa, I call him 'Elmers' because he is the glue to this defense. A lot has been made about the impact of a lot of newcomers this season, Mauigoa has been as good as anyone as he has helped solidify the linebacking unit. His return in 2024 is as important as any player on the team, alongside Matt Lee.
- Another regular season in the books. As I mentioned earlier, I believe this is a MUCH better team than last season. For all my criticisms of Cristobal, I'm still a supporter of his. But at the same time, moving forward, my belief is that he has to really look at his offensive approach and improve his game management to take this program where we all want it.
Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.
