The Miami Hurricanes were humiliated by a superior team on Saturday, losing to the University of North Carolina, 59-21.
What went right:
Not much. Cornerback Artie Burns, who has played with a heavy heart since his mother passed, was on fire. He was all over the field, and poured his heart out in his efforts towards defending. Pass breakups, good tackles and heart was shown by Burns all day despite the team getting blown out.
Joseph Yearby had a decent day, finishing with 13 carries for 74 yards. While his stats were decent, his emotions were exactly what this team needs. Much like Burns, he showed heart and held people accountable. This is exactly what UM needs next season, more players held accountable for their lack of execution:
@TheStateOfTheU @CanesFamNews Yearby knows… pic.twitter.com/4X7xlX7Sod
— Samoan SniperGang (@954Canes) November 14, 2015
What went wrong:
Nearly everything. This game was a lot like the Clemson game earlier this year: pathetic, humiliating and baffling.
The offensive line was atrocious, again, with numerous penalties, missed blocks and poorly executed play. Quarterback Brad Kaaya ran for his life on every play, taking huge hits throughout the game. Unacceptable.
Our defense hasn’t progressed. The defensive line still can’t stop the run, the linebackers are still taking poor angles on tackling the ball carriers and the safeties are no where to be found. This could be coaching or this could be a lack of talent, but regardless, nothing has changed in years.
North Carolina isn’t that talented. They would get blown out against the top nationally ranked schools like Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State and Oklahoma. Those schools are far more talented and well coached than UNC. For North Carolina to hang 59 on Miami’s defense gives you an idea of just how far away Miami is from competing at a high level.
Kicker Michael Badgley missed a 32-yard field goal, on what seemed like an easy attempt in the second quarter. Pathetic.
At one point in the second half, UM was down 45-0. Delaware and NC A&T (who?) played UNC closer than that. The UM football program has hit rock bottom this season, and it will take an immaculate coaching job to right the ship.
There is a terrible hatred going on for the University of Miami by the national media outlets. The officiating didn’t have much of a factor in the game, but many penalties got called on UM for “unsportsmanlike celebrations”. Why is Miami getting so heavily penalized every game for talking trash, when the opposing team is never penalized for doing disrespectful gestures? UNC’s Marquise Williams and Ryan Switzer both held up the U gesture and then turned it upside down to mock UM, and neither were given a penalty. A gesture like that isn’t unsportsmanlike? ACC refs continue to call each game very inconsistently -to put it mildly- and most calls seem to never go Miami’s way. UNC embarrassed and taunted UM, much like Clemson did, and Miami deserved every piece of trash talk they received. Its understood emotions and trash talk are part of the game, but that upside down U gesture was bush league.
Looking forward:
Remember this feeling UM fans-and bring this exact hatred and passion when rooting on UM next year versus UNC. Don’t let Chapel Hill fans and players show us up like that.
Miami has a long way to go and a lot of re-staffing to do before fans can get an ounce of hope for the future. It will be interesting to see how this team performs during the final two games of the season. Georgia Tech always gives Miami a fit with the triple option offense, and after that performance by Miami, this game has the potential to be disgusting. Miami will host GT at SunLife stadium, Saturday, November 21 at 12:30 p.m.
Brandon Carusillo is a senior majoring in public relations and minoring in psychology. He’s from Coral Springs and wants to work as an entertainment agent when he graduates. He loves music, sports, writing and photography.
words_brandon carusillo.