Some thoughts on the Louisville loss

[Category81]

Ya boy Samson committed an egregious pre-snap penalty to kill a drive. McCoy ain’t perfect but I am more than fine with that dude playing.

That was a killer because we were going to go for it if we didn’t get the 3rd and 2. Possible touchdown drive wasted due to a terrible penalty.

 

[jman94]

The most disappointing part of this UL loss is that there is still evidence of rot/disease that has plagued this program for a decade that Mario has still not eradicated. This D$ soliloquy could have been written after any of the losses to UL/UVA/GT/UNC/NC ST. That we’ve taken over the years across multiple regimes. All issues noted- QBs tossing picks, scheme issues (now in year 4, it’s the run scheme-), penalties, coming out flat after a bye, not getting enough out of talented young players, playing down to competition and a “poor atmosphere” at the Rock have all been cited ad nauseum around here for the last decade.

Penalties have been a problem at UM dating back to Al Golden. Richt never fixed it, manny never fixed it and neither has Mario. Guys like James Williams and Jacolby George were villainized around here just for two pillars of this team, Francis and Toney to pick up 15 yard drive killers early in this game. Mario’s OL, the only contribution he brings to the on field product, can’t even get the ball lined up and snapped on crucial third & shorts without an operation penalty. We have 0 evidence to suggest Mario will ever get this rectified as even going back to Oregon, his teams were amongst the most penalized in the country.

The only thing about this program that has changed in the last 10 years is that we spend more money now and we do have more talent. However, we still underachieve in every other area. Tick tock, Mario.

 

[Shooter McGavin]

The atmosphere?!?!

Should’ve of left it out of your post completely. Friday night when all the traffic is headed north. No to mention the team came out flat.

This is all on Mario and the team how they came off a bye week flat. Not the fans.

Tired of people taking shot at the fans. We aren’t the ones coming up with the ****** offensive scheme and missing tackles.

I was there early as were many others and there was no getting up for a first drive TD, a 3 and out and then another drive for a TD with no juice by the team.

Lastly, your comment about the run game not changing much - well, that’s part of the ******* problem. Mario and Shannon are just going to bang their heads vs a wall as it’s their way or none at all vs being like a Brohm, whom changes and schemes better concepts. Ridiculous!!!

***** move by the by the owner of this site to bring up the fans

 

[Mr. Dynasty1]

Dawson just ran it up the middle again..

You mean Mirabal apparently

 

[IamaCane4Life]

I'm not demoralized, but I'm anxious.

All of us would've signed up for 5-1 and sweeping our rivals. This is modern college football. I didn't have Louisville as the loss - their OL looked miserable on tape - but maybe we should've seen it coming. Mario's Oregon teams routinely dropped these games, and this was his fifth loss as a double-digit favorite (tying him with Kalen DeBoer and Hugh Freeze). Either way, we enter the second half of the season as a Top 10 team.

The reason I'm anxious is the calendar. This is the stretch where we always collapse. Another loss would be devastating. We thought for a minute it might be easy, and now we're back to sniffing glue.

Our culture is about to get a stress test. Miami will be favorites in every game. The team is relatively healthy. If they stay on point and together, this will be a very successful season. But they need to deal with adversity for the first time in a while.

The first three drives set the tone for this game. We didn't do a good job of handling the bye/game/bye stretch, and it showed early. We couldn’t tackle, the team looked flat, and there was no juice in the building. On Louisville's first play, their RT and Jaleel Skinner execute a textbook double-team on Rueben Bain to pop Isaac Brown. Brohm calls a beautiful drive from there and Louisville scores a short TD.

We get the ball, Francis Mauigoa commits an 15-yard unsportsmanlike, and the drive is dead on arrival. We didn't run once because of down and distance. Three and out.

Louisville gets the ball at the Miami 46 after a good return. Brohm calls three papercuts for a first down, and then Chris Bell takes a crosser through the heart of our defense for six.

From that point, Louisville controlled the game. Brohm is the real deal and his team played hard. Miller Moss, who can be erratic, was decisive with a quick passing game that neutralized our pass rush (2.32 seconds before pass). I underrated Louisville's defense- they have good athletes who made some incredible plays to capitalize on our mistakes. They deserved to win.

There were lot of reasons for the loss, but two stand out as obvious. We can't win with four interceptions. It took me back to 2023 because there wasn't even pressure. Just teams playing pass and reading our QB. We spent a lot time this off-season discussing Cam's failure to checkdown to Arroyo against GT, but Carson Beck made a similar mistake with Alex Bauman on the first INT. Beck needs to take the easy money when it's there. That's his game.

Beck's response will be the story of the season. The media is waiting for him to fold and lose the locker room, as evidenced by Danny Kannell's tweet. We all have have TVD PTSD as Miami fans. I think Beck is a different player, with more winning experience and a tighter relationship with his team. But he'll need to prove it.

The other story is the nine penalties. We’re 130th in penalties per game after finishing 98th last year. It’s a consistent problem that causes us to play below our talent level.

A lot of the focus will be on the running game. I don’t expect a wholesale philosophy change after years of success, but I do think you’ll see more outside runs going forward. We’re only averaging 80 yards over the past two games. That’s unacceptable, even if teams are scheming to take away the run.

But I thought the biggest issue with the running game was the penalties. Our whole philosophy is based on controlling down and distance, and we were always behind the sticks because of unforced errors. We only had 18 total rushing attempts in a close low-scoring game. Louisville controlled the pace with their quick passing, and they ran better than they have all season. It felt like every time Heatherman went to a different pressure look, Brohm called an Isaac Brown run right into the soft spot of the front.

Miami's offensive line played their worst game of the season. While pass blocking was mostly fine, Matt McCoy got beat clean on a crucial fourth down and caused Beck’s third INT. With good protection, Beck finds Elija Lofton wide open in the flat.

Three players are still dragging on the offense. Lofton has regressed as a blocker and still looks lumbering in the passing game, while also making mental mistakes. Jordan Lyle is bouncing around and struggling to fit the run scheme. Jojo Trader only played one play.

There’s reason the staff is force-feeding Lyle/Lofton and pushing JoJo- they’ve seen their impact ability in practice. But for a variety of reasons, it’s not translating to production. The good news is it’s a long season. But it’s not forever, and we need to see signs of life soon.

Malachi Toney has been consistently performing like one of the best playmakers in America. His physicality is the revelation to me- he's stiff-arming and running over older players like nothing. Him and CJ Daniels are a playoff-caliber duo, but they need help.



The other star receiver on the field was Bell. I called him the best draft-eligible receiver earlier in the week, and that might’ve been selling him short. He’s playing like the next best receiver in America after Jeremiah Smith. Unreal horsepower.

From a playcalling standpoint, two things stuck out to my untrained eyes- we should have played with more urgency and tempo down in the 4th, and we got too screen-happy in the 3rd. Even in a bad game, we need to trust our veteran QB to make decisions with good pass protection.

Random personnel note- we played both Booker Pickett and Herbert Scroggins with Akheem Mesidor banged up. I wonder if we see them (and Marquise Lightfoot) more against Stanford.

I saved this one for last, because it’s not an excuse. But the atmosphere was terrible to start the game. Some of it was traffic and people getting off work. That’s not a fan issue. But the student section was half full and taking selfies. Let’s be better.

The good news is that we don’t have to wait through another bye. We will see how this team responds right away. Go Canes.

So now it’s the fans’ fault the team underperforms? What’s next — the fans being blamed for Cristobal’s coaching too?”

 

[Hurracanes]

You mean Mirabal apparently

I don’t care who it is. It needs to change.

 

[STG]

All that to not mention any of our coaches (out schemed/coached), gameplan (lack of), in game adjustments (lack of), but plenty of blame to players. Like I said, company man.

 

[DMoney]

All that to not mention any of our coaches (out schemed/coached), gameplan (lack of), in game adjustments (lack of), but plenty of blame to players. Like I said, company man.

You didn’t read the post.

 

[Angry Ibis]

I don’t care who it is. It needs to change.

It won't if we think it is Dawson...

 

[3rd-43]

Is the run game going to change? Will there be a reflection, review, and revision from the HC on his continuous pattern to not adapt throughout the season?

If not, we are cooked.

I already know the answer*

 

[TemplarCane]

0 wrinkles coming out of the bye. Just thought we could show up and run the same plays we always have. That needs to change. We need to adjust. Something we haven’t done in 20 years given our second half season struggles.

Good coaches and coordinators know they need to break tendencies.

 

[STG]

You didn’t read the post.

Yes, I did very clearly. 99% of the emphasis was placed on players. Again, didn't expect anything different.

Let me state it for you. Mario is a joke of a gameday coach. He has now lost 6 games as a double digit favorite since arriving at UM, and 10 overall as a favorite. The MOST in both categoroies by any HC in the country since his arrival at Miami. And it is happening in year 4.

Mario is the epitome of someone who does less with more. This issue has been existent since Oregon. He has now had 9 straight years where he has lost at least 1 game as a double digit favorite. Do you understand, have any idea how bad of a HC you have to be for that to occur at that rate, that consistently?

In addition, he has also had one of the most penalized teams in the country since his days at OU. Again, that is also a yearly occurence. That has never changed. Are you catching on here? Do you not see the GLARING issues he has when he is the head man of a team?

Now, let's throw in there that he believes his run scheme, because this is 100% his and Mirabals scheme, actually is a good one. IDC what you want to say as a blanket statement in years past, but this is not an effective scheme in any capacity. And the unwillingness to adapt to it, because he is a caveman, will continue to hinder any of his offenses and undoubedtly lead to Ls.

 

[Hoyacane1620]

Everybody schemes to beat our defense and it seems we just wash, rince, repeat and hope. Well it finally bit us in the ***. No excuse not to exploit other defense weakness with our experienced QB, Oline and playmakers.

I was frustrated watching the game. Then I listened to Brohm and read a transcript of some things he said. That made me angry. He changed scheme, play calls and developed new plays using the three QBs. They called that play "three amigos". He said the intent was to make the defense have to think rather than react to what they expected to see...... Wow, imagine that....

 

[joeB954]

I was at the game and I will say a lot of fans came in late. That’s what Friday night games are going to be. It was a sellout. Even though all the seats weren’t filled it was a good crowd. Louisville took the crowd out quick with 14 straight points. I feel like the fans did their job. The team, aside from a couple players didn’t look like they were ready to play. How are you not ready after a week off? Our offense is high school level at best. Zero creativity, especially in the run game. Whey do they send Lyle up the middle like he’s a power back? They have no ability to get the best out of players talents or use them the right way. Why would a speed back wanna come here and run up the **** middle. Dawson sucks and Cam Ward made him look like an offensive guru. Brohm was the only person out there that knows how to scheme an offense

 

[rascon]

I miss reporting from back in the day before coaches had influence over who gets credentialed.

I’d love to see Mario get questioned about the OL and the job Mirabel is doing with them and why they rarely vary in their responsbiliites and how his preferred run game approach might not be a perfect fit for the passing game approach that Dawson brings to the table.

I’d question why we don’t have confidence in pulling our OL to get our RB into situations where the defense can’t lock in on the gap they know they will be going to. Or if not pulling, why do rarely use other blocking techniques? I’d like some analysis of how often we toss sweep/outside zone and what the average yards before and after contact vs A gap runs. I’d also be interested to see what our OL “holding penatites” are in each case, because I have a couple suspicions on that.

I would question why isn’t Mirabel banging his hand on the table looking to show off his crew by putting them in many different situations letting everyone (NFL) see how well rounded they are instead of minimizing their responsibilities in an effort to reduce any chance that they might be exposed.

For the record, I think they would do well, but there’s an underlying rationale by Mirabel why he insists on dive runs at apparently regardless of cost. (namely momentum). I just don’t know what that is.

 

[TemplarCane]

I posted about this already, but I’m gonna say it. Our offense appears to be completely designed to mask a glaring deficiency. Our inability to effectively stretch the field vertically either because we don’t have the guys that can do it or the guy that can get it to them.
I watched Arizona State and that dude Tyson, I watch Bama with Williams, I saw several other teams with tall fast physical wide receivers that would come here and start day one with barely any practice.
It amazes me that for years I see these players all over the country and we can only manage tri county dudes that are under 5’11 and don’t even make the NFL. And to make it even more ridiculous, we can’t even get them from the portal.
How tf does Louisville find and develop a dude like Bell while we can’t recruit an equivalent or even get something close from the portal?
It’s so confusing and frustrating.

Is the offense limited because Mario has been unable to recruit these WR types or has Mario been unable to recruit these WR types because of the offense?

One reason is the QB position. Cam Ward was great, and the 1st pick in the draft, but signed late for one a season and had no recruiting impact. Beck also signed late.

Miami's QB room was Emory Williams and WHO? when those WRs were making school decisions.

Next year is the same. Beck is leaving and the QB room is Emory, Judd, Nickel, and an incoming FR.

 

[Hoyacane1620]

You people sound like Louisville was a bunch of scrums. They have bunch of athletes, too. Their big-*** WR clowned our supposed best CB & motored thru the secondary. Yeah, can argue deserved to lose & out-schemed/coached, but every team going forward will bring its best & want a piece of Miami. This isn’t fantasy football.

I don't think anyone is diminishing the talent - Brown and Bell- on the offense for LVille. The frustrating part is Miami was never in a position to effectively respond. Two defensive players SAID there were plays and formations they never saw on film. We all know that; they had 14 point before the crowd even sat down.

What was the response? The same old thing. first down - run up the gut. second down - another run. 3rd down and long and Beck has to throw with a blitz coming at him...

 

[CaneMutiny06]

I was at the game and I will say a lot of fans came in late. That’s what Friday night games are going to be. It was a sellout. Even though all the seats weren’t filled it was a good crowd. Louisville took the crowd out quick with 14 straight points. I feel like the fans did their job. The team, aside from a couple players didn’t look like they were ready to play. How are you not ready after a week off? Our offense is high school level at best. Zero creativity, especially in the run game. Whey do they send Lyle up the middle like he’s a power back? They have no ability to get the best out of players talents or use them the right way. Why would a speed back wanna come here and run up the **** middle. Dawson sucks and Cam Ward made him look like an offensive guru. Brohm was the only person out there that knows how to scheme an offense

Agree, I was there and that was the best weekday-game crowd against a conference opponent that I can remember at least in the last decade. There were empty seats but It was better than the USF game (pre-delay) and better than last year’s VT crowd.

Of course it was late arriving, Friday rush hour dictated that, but the crowd was fine and got engaged when the team gave them reason to be.

 

[DMoney]

He has now lost 6 games as a double digit favorite since arriving at UM, and 10 overall as a favorite. The MOST in both categoroies by any HC in the country since his arrival at Miami. And it is happening in year 4.

You're repeating something that's in the first paragraph of my post, and stating it like it's some suppressed truth. Read for yourself:

[M]aybe we should've seen it coming. Mario's Oregon teams routinely dropped these games, and this was his fifth loss as a double-digit favorite (tying him with Kalen DeBoer and Hugh Freeze).

You then ranted about penalties, which I also addressed at the very top. I noted we were bad with penalties last year, and it wasn't just about this group of players.

Again, you didn't read the post and just wanted an excuse to vent emotions.

 

[STG]

You're repeating something that's in the first paragraph of my post.


You then ranted about penalties, which I also addressed at the very top. I noted we were bad with penalties last year, and it wasn't just about this group of players.

Again, you didn't read the post and just wanted an excuse to vent emotions.

No, actually call out Mario, Mirabal, etc. like you do the players consistently and in depth, but you won't.

You stating "Mario's Oregon teams routinely dropped these games, and this was his fifth loss as a double-digit favorite", doesn't come close to calling him out for what those results truly mean.

No mention that the 5 (6), is the worse in the country during his time here. No mention that it is completely unacceptable period, let alone for someone allocated the resources he had both at OU and now UM. No mention that he is clearly a coach who does less with more and any team he leads, regardless of talent acquisition, will always be at a disadvantange against any staff who is simply better than him when it comes to Xs and Os.

This is year 4. We are unlikely heading to the ACCCG. And this when both FSU and Clemsom are dumspter fires. UNC, VILLE, SMU have already been there since Mario has arrived. It's likely GT and UVA go this year, yet we don't, again. That is pitiful.

The ROI to this point has been poor. He was not provided the resources he was, to likely not even make the ACCG after 4 years, forget mentioning even winning it.