UM-FAMU POSTSCRIPTS
A few notes, quotes and thoughts on UM's 41-7 thrashing of Florida A&M:
### Terrific defensive effort by the Hurricanes, who limited an overmatched opponent to 114 yards --- including .8 per carry on 33 rushing attempts and 6 for 17 accuracy (for 89 yards) in the passing game. The only blemish: There were a couple of sizable completions --- one against Tracy Howard.
"Our defense has improved a lot," said receiver Philip Dorsett, who caught TD passes of 4 and 32 yards.
Thurston Armbrister had a sack/strip for the second game in a row and added another sack later. Anthony Chickillo recovered Armbrister's strip sack and deflected a pass later in the game.
Denzel Perryman was exceptional in the first half, with six tackles --- one for loss and most of the others for short gains.
Insidetheu.com reported Perryman*sustained a minor shoulder injury during the game. But Golden said*Perryman didn't play in the second half only because he wanted to hold out Perryman, Duke Johnson*and Stacy Coley after intermission.
### Brad Kaaya had some impressive throws, including a 32-yarder to a diving Dorsett in the back of the end zone, and closed 12 for 22 for 177 yards and two touchdowns and two picks in a bit less than three quarters.
One of the interceptions, off a deflection from Clive Walford, wasn't his fault. The other pick was slightly overthrown in*the end zone; Herb Waters was the intended receiver.
"I'm not a big stats guy, just a big wins guy," Kaaya said. "I felt a little more comfortable. I feel we handled [the short week] well."
Said Al Golden: "Brad made really nice throws. We did a better job protecting him. I'm excited about Brad."
Golden said he didn't open up more of the playbook for Kaaya. "I think he got better," Golden said.
### Golden said Kevin Olsen's two-game suspension has ended. But there is no QB controversy. This is Kaaya's job unless Golden eventually decides otherwise.
### Jake Heaps played slightly more than a quarter, finishing 5 for 8 for 41 yards.
### Kaaya has developed terrific chemistry with freshman receiver Braxton Berrios, who led UM with six receptions for 63 yards. "He's a good route runner; he's a guy I look for on third down," Kaaya said.
Berrios started tonight and is playing a lot. By the way, freshman Tyre Brady also started at receiver, as UM opened in a four-receiver set (Dorsett, Herb Waters, Brady, Berrios).
### Duke Johnson finished with 98 yards on nine carries in his one half of work, moving into ninth place on UM's career rushing list with 2054 yards. Freshman Joe Yearby had 95 yards on 14 carries (6.8 per carry).
Gus Edwards closed with 34 yards on four carries (including a 15-yard TD run) and Trayone Gray had three rushes for 16 yards, including a 10-yard TD run on his first UM rushing attempt.
"The offensive line was much better tonight," Johnson said. But overall "we have a long way to go."
### Special teams is a concern. Ronald Regula's high snap, recovered by FAMU in the end zone, accounted for the Rattlers' only score.
"I haven't seen a high snap from Ronnie on punts all summer," Golden said. "I didn't know where that came from."
And Matt Goudis missed field goals of 45 and 32 yards, while hitting them from 20 and 23. "We've got to get Matt on track," Golden said. "He's proven to be effective."
### A bunch of newcomers*who didn't play much or at all at Louisville*
### Another concern: UM was 2 for 10 on third down and now 3 for 23 for the season. Golden said he would need to analyze the tape before offering theories on the matter.
### A bunch of newcomers*who didn't play much or at all at Louisville*got playing time, including Michael Wyche, Anthony Moten, Nick Linder,*Chris Herndon, among others.
### Golden's take: "It wasn't perfect but we got better in a lot of different areas. I was afraid we weren't going to have our legs. I don't know*that I'm satisfied with anything right now."
### Defensive end Al-Quadin Muhammad was in uniform but again held out in what appears to be a double-secret suspension as UM mulls his status. Quite a while ago, Muhammad and his then-roommate (who has since*graduated from UM) had a physical confrontation that*left the roommate injured, according to a person briefed on the situation.*The UM administration is still deciding how*to handle this.
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