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Some thoughts from Whitlock Cabin (Miami-Texas A@M thoughts)...

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k9cane said:
- When Toney had that fumble near midfield with the game tied halfway through the 4th, it felt like Miami was going to lose didn't it? Like, 'here we go again'. But the defense bowed up and created a stop. Corey Heatherman has been an absolute Godsend for Miami.
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One thing I've noticed is that a little adversity that used to change momentum doesn't seem to have the same effect any more. We don't give up at all.
 
That was a masterpiece on defense. An all-timer.

A&M has a really good offense. I’ve seen dozens of games at ND Stadium (maybe around 100) and A&M this year was one of the most dynamic offenses I’ve seen. Concepcion and Craver are absolute burners. Reed can obviously run so well and he can sling it when he has good protection.

We did a great job of limiting them—never would’ve predicted we’d hold them to 3 points.

The way our DL gets pressure with 4 and the way they get off blocks to completely shut down the run is a sight to behold.

The defense seemed like it was on the field a ton and it was remarkable to me how they not only didn’t wear down, but seemed to get stronger as the game went on.
 
Ryanmilli said:
That was a masterpiece on defense. An all-timer.

A&M has a really good offense. I’ve seen dozens of games at ND Stadium (maybe around 100) and A&M this year was one of the most dynamic offenses I’ve seen. Concepcion and Craver are absolute burners. Reed can obviously run so well and he can sling it when he has good protection.

We did a great job of limiting them—never would’ve predicted we’d hold them to 3 points.

The way our DL gets pressure with 4 and the way they get off blocks to completely shut down the run is a sight to behold.

The defense seemed like it was on the field a ton and it was remarkable to me how they not only didn’t wear down, but seemed to get stronger as the game went on.
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I am reminded that Jimmy Johnson said you’ll know Miami is back when their defense “can get there with four.”
 
The moment felt too big for Dawson today. Felt like he was trying to show everyone how much of an innovator he is and ended up doing way too much. These teams are way too talented and disciplined for all that cute ****.
Let's hope he learns from this and gets his act together by NYE because we have enough talent to get it done against OSU but we have to come correct.
 
If I’m not mistaken, we didn’t have one holding penalty or fall start from the offensive line. The line only had two penalties I think. One offsides and the weak roughing the passer on the final drive.

That’s impressive in front of 107,000 screaming people.

The biggest problem was Dawson’s playcalling for the first half, plus the wind affecting the kicker.

Better play calling in the first half in this game could’ve been 24-3 or worse.
 
TemplarCane said:
If I’m not mistaken, we didn’t have one holding penalty or fall start from the offensive line. The line only had two penalties I think. One offsides and the weak roughing the passer on the final drive.

That’s impressive in front of 107,000 screaming people.

The biggest problem was Dawson’s playcalling for the first half, plus the wind affecting the kicker.

Better play calling in the first half in this game could’ve been 24-3 or worse.
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Canes never got Beck in a rhythm outside of the first drive in the 2nd half. So much focus on Mali that we forgot about CJ and Marion on the outsides. They were winning their one on one matchup. We left a TON of points on the board.

That wind was humming! When Austin the student pushed those two kicks before the game started, I knew that field goal kicking was going to be a problem. Those goal posts were literally rocking during the game.

That atmosphere was crazy. We dang near stood up the entire game and I was in section 414!!! Don’t like that they were playing music during our huddles to get the crowd going. That’s garbage and didn’t know that you could do that. Thought that was what the band was for. Hoping we can get back to using EVERY weapon against OSU.
 
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PRcane787 said:
Beck was rusty after the long layoff.. def missed some open throws .. like that deep Jojo go route he had the CB beat for 6 had Beck not overthrown him..

Agreed with OP, we got way too cute in the 1st half with the gadget plays ..
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Would have helped if JoJo ran that full route at full speed.

Did he ever get back in the game after that play?
 
jupo2001 said:
Canes never got Beck in a rhythm outside of the first drive in the 2nd half. So much focus on Mali that we forgot about CJ and Marion on the outsides. They were winning their one on one matchup. We left a TON of points on the board.

That wind was humming! When Austin the student pushed those two kicks before the game started, I knew that field goal kicking was going to be a problem. Those goal posts were literally rocking during the game.

That atmosphere was crazy. We dang near stood up the entire game and I was in section 414!!! Don’t like that they were playing music during our huddles to get the crowd going. That’s garbage and didn’t know that you could do that. Thought that was what the band was for. Hoping we can get back to using EVERY weapon against OSU.
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Dawson kind of figured it out in the second half what works and what doesn't. He's got a lot of **** thrown against him from me this year, but not today. He immediately said after the game that he ****ed up and I respect that.

He had a plan, I get what he tried to do. Elkos defenses attack downhill, so he tried to soften them up with misdirection and horizontal plays - they were just waiting for that at the expense of missing run fits whenever we ran north and south. If he tried to do it the other way, setting up the perimeter with north and south running, who knows if the game would've been this close.

Ultimately, the last drive was Dawson understanding how the game went and going with the best plays we had. Aggies were dialed in on Fletcher and that opened the run lane for Toney to go around the edge. Play was so well designed and blocked up, nobody came close to touching Toney.
 
The gimmicks work against Syracuse and sorry teams like that. It doesn’t work in the playoffs.

Dawson almost blew it. It was evident from the start and anyone with eyes that all Miami had to do was run it right at them.

Every announcer, media and even Mario at half said as much. That was one of the worst called games I’ve ever see. From an OC.

Heatherman and the defense saved this team along with Fletcher.

Let’s see what Dawson does in 10 days cause OSU is way too fast to try all that gimmick crap again.
 
PRcane787 said:
Beck was rusty after the long layoff.. def missed some open throws .. like that deep Jojo go route he had the CB beat for 6 had Beck not overthrown him..

Agreed with OP, we got way too cute in the 1st half with the gadget plays ..
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I'm not faulting Beck or Davis. Both had to deal with 30 mph wind gusts.
 
DrNovaCane said:
Was looking forward to your comments…

I couldn’t agree more with you on the “force feeding” of Mali…

It destroyed the offensive rhythm for most of the game…

We cannot take that plan into OSU game and win…
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it's like ice cream -- its great but there is a time and place for it. It's not supposed to be fed to you for three times a day in lieu of real food. It's a dessert

Yesterday I felt like Dawson was just dialing it up to dial it up, without any real rhyme or reason
 
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k9cane said:
It was frustration, then elation at Kyle Field. As I'm back here in my AirBNB cabin (so this is how Abraham Lincoln hung out) in Bryan Texas Im still in a bit of awe. The #Canes beat a game and rugged Texas A@M Aggies squad by a score of 10-3 in a game that was not really a masterpiece but as a UM fan, it ended up looking like the Mona Lisa.

Survive and advance. That's what the Mario Cristobal Hurricanes did today in hostile(yet still, cordial territory --- more on that later) today. No, this isn't a national title win, but after 20 years of not being 'back', make no doubt about it, this is a milestone victory for the program.

Miami took another step to becoming a football 'progrum' today. There's no denying it's impact. The euphoria I was a part of in section in 131 in Kyle was unforgettable. Again, this is just a step, but one that should be appreciated and enjoyed by our fan base.

Some thoughts on the game...

- I love the new Malachi Toney-centric offense, but I thought it went a bit too far today by Shannon Dawson. Miami seemed to be better off just running their base stuff and letting Carson Beck throw on early downs, and letting Mark Fletcher control the game. It's one thing to run gadgets, but when you force them inorganically it disrupts the flow of your offense. The offense I saw today will not get the job done moving forward in the playoffs.

Just my view -- and Im just a fan -- some of those Toney plays would've been more effective if he was more of a decoy.

Today was a day to just run your basic stuff and just execute it consistently - and mix in the Mali-cat.

- Carter Davis became the FAU version whose percentage last season was a good batting average. He had been so good up until this point this season. As Toney scored late, I wondered if Miami scored too quickly, but at the same time, when you have a kicker who misses 3 kicks in a game, you can't be choosy

- Speaking of Fletcher, this guy etched his name in Hurricane lore today. He ran hard and came up with that big run late. I've felt that he gets too much heat for who he isn't ( Edgerrin James, Clinton Portis, Willis McGahee, etc) instead of being appreciated for who he is -- a reliable, solid chain moving guy. And when he busted that long run this was confirmation that he isn't just a JAG. No more slander on this young man's name. They don't win that game without number 4 on offense

- When Toney had that fumble near midfield with the game tied halfway through the 4th, it felt like Miami was going to lose didn't it? Like, 'here we go again'. But the defense bowed up and created a stop. Corey Heatherman has been an absolute Godsend for Miami.

Damari Brown wasn't dressed but Keointe Scott returned and he was active as always. The Aggies have a speedy and talented set of WR's and they gave up some plays but held their own. Muhammad Toure just absolutely sold out late on that pass to Ruben Owens, knocking himself out. Several of our guys hobbled off the field and they kept battling.

- Finally, a salute to Aggie nation and College Station. A great college football atmosphere and some of the nicest and most hospitable people you will ever meet. They created a great settting on game day. Gig'em to you guys.
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Smacks of the "Devin Hester package" from days of yore.
 
BeastMode said:
The gimmicks work against Syracuse and sorry teams like that. It doesn’t work in the playoffs.

Dawson almost blew it. It was evident from the start and anyone with eyes that all Miami had to do was run it right at them.

Every announcer, media and even Mario at half said as much. That was one of the worst called games I’ve ever see. From an OC.

Heatherman and the defense saved this team along with Fletcher.

Let’s see what Dawson does in 10 days cause OSU is way too fast to try all that gimmick crap again.
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remember yesterday when you said if we don’t score 7 the game is over?

And then we fumbled?

And then we won?
 
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