no, it wasn't a Rembrandt but W is a W and you can see just how close and how far this program is from really getting back to the premiere level. Miami beat a gutty Cuse squad 27-19 but really it should've been an easier game if not for some drops from Ahmonn Richards(who still ended up with a productive yet frustrating day back at the office). Miami left(or dropped) at least 10-14 points on the table.
Some thoughts:
- Hats off to the D. Yeah, they had some busts(like giving up 3rd and 25) but to hold Babers unit to 19 is a great achievement and the TO Chain was being brought out liberally in the first half. I know people hate our rotating of players but in todays game and tempo - especially playing a team like the Cuse - you better develop depth and even if you dont have it- still trot guys out there because even the best conditioned players only have so many good plays in them
And the last couple of drives where they held off a hard-charging Orangeman team was testament to the depth of Miami front 4 which from the very first play kept hitting Dungey over and over again. I have great respect for Dungey, Kellen Winslow Jr would call him a 'soldya' of the highest degree. But the run defense remains problematic, over 200 yards given up. On the flipside they kept harrasing Dungey for much of the game
- Michael Jackson certainly had a great game with his multiple INT's(he had a lease on that TO Chain in the first half) but Malek Young did a great job I thought on Isahamel(sp?). He has really turned into a very good corner. In terms of the secondary, I noticed Knowles played very little and two frosh, Smith and Carter played a lot. Yeah, I think they will continue to be worked into the rotation as the season goes along.
- Zach Feagles was feable on his first kick but to his credit the rest of the game he did a nice job of pinning the Cuse deep in their territory.
- As for the offense, short-yardage run blocking/scheme is still problematic. And that's the problem in not just coming off the ball, playing in the gun' exlusively, not having a true FB and not being able to run ISO's.
- Based on what I saw today, I start putting the ball in Rosier's hands and just trust the guy. Yeah I said it. Don't protect him, let him play ball. Once again, when it mattered, he's Joe Cool and take away drops he has a monster game statistically and this game isn't all that close. He did this today with very little semblance of a running game till the very end. Speaking of the run game, Homer once again delivered big runs later. He is great in these late situations vs units that are fatigued
- Ahem, gogeta4, how bout our guy Chris Herndon? Lets keep utilizing this guy. He is a real weapon. A future 10 year NFL'er. By the way, we actually saw a few shifts and even a motion from our offense today!!
- OK, should we check Jeff Thomas social media account or is he all good now? This kid is coming on strong week by week.
- Anyone else wonder why we didn't run more clock during that last TD drive? Or is that just who we are - a team that has a certain cadence?
- Overall, it all looked soooo good early on and then became very frustrating to see Cuse get back into it and make it difficult. But you see that we need a few more parts/depth but this team has real character and grit. Get past UNC next week and then onto a huge stretch vs Vatech and ND.
Hey, Miami won. And you know what they say about winning - it beats losing
