In my preview yesterday, I said that this game would show if the Miami Hurricanes was a legit team; either they were turning the corner and are prepared to compete as conference play begins next week, or an underachieving squad that has gotten lucky the past two weeks.
Last night’s game proved the latter. Without a shadow of a doubt, Al Golden does not have this team prepared at all to play at the level they are capable of. Unfortunately, for Hurricanes fans, “Coaching kills Miami” is once again the headline.
The #FireAlGolden squad was out in Cincinnati, and don’t expect the banners to disappear anytime soon if Golden can’t get the team on track; especially with their next three games coming against ACC title contenders Florida State, Virginia Tech, and Clemson.
It’s not just that the Hurricanes lost, it’s HOW they lost.
GAME RECAP
Brad Kaaya and the offense were moving the ball extremely well on their first drive and were poised to score the first touchdown of the game until a holding penalty forced Miami back, forcing them to settle for a field goal.
Criticism of Golden, other than the Hurricane’s overall performance, has been about the play of the defense. On their first drive, Cincinnati drove down the field after several missed tackles; including one missed in the backfield by Rashawn Jenkins on running back Hosey Williams that Williams was able to break for a touchdown. Jenkins was able to redeem himself by making a spectacular interception which resulted in a Mark Walton touchdown to bring the score to 13-14 Cincy to end the quarter.
The game looked poised to be a shootout with a first half highlighted by big plays from both teams. Miami was able to regain the lead after a big pass completion to David Njoku, finished off by a Joe Yearby touchdown run to take the lead 20-17.
Safeties Deon Bush and Jamal Carter’s presence was missed greatly in the first half, as Hayden Moore was able to pass the ball almost at will. Shaq Washington made several spectacular catches, and Cincinnati was able to regain the lead heading into half time 27-20.
The game looked poised to be a shootout as both teams went back and forth for most of the first half, but failure to convert on early third downs prevented Miami from making a real dent into Cincinnati’s lead.
In the second half the defense was superb, containing the Cincinnati offense and giving Miami several chances to cut into the lead. But once again, Miami’s continued inability to convert on third down (finishing 4/14 on the night) would prove to be their Achilles’ heel.
In the red zone and down by seven with ten minutes remaining, the Hurricanes were hoping to put the ball in the end zone. On third and six, a run play to Yearby was called that went for only one yard. Driving nearly 80 yards, instead of getting in the end zone, Miami came away with three points. It was yet another third down failure that would prove catastrophic to the Hurricanes chances of winning the game.
On their first play following the Miami field goal, Moore completed a 52 yard pass to Mikal McKay, and Williams then burst through the line for a 17 yard gain. Cincinnati scored on a pass from Moore to tight end Tyler Cogswell. After starting on their own 20 yard line, it took Cincinnati only five plays to increase their lead to 11 points, with the score 34-23.
With another chance to get into the end zone, Kaaya lead Miami to the Cincinnati five yard line with five minutes left in the fourth quarter. After failing AGAIN on third down, Miami went for it on fourth down. Kaaya attempted a pass into the end zone to Standish Dobard that was deflected by Tyrell Gilbert, officially ending the Hurricanes comeback bid.
Final score: Cincy 34 Miami 23
MIAMI’S BAGGAGE WEIGHING THEM DOWN
At times, we saw just how talented the players on this Miami team are. Joe Yearby and Mark Walton ran hard, and Kaaya was efficient as always; but what ultimately failed Miami is coaching.
Petty drive killing penalties committed by the same player week after week comes from a lack of discipline. Continued failure to convert on third down shows lack of confidence. Getting gashed through the air by a freshman quarterback when you have three NFL caliber defensive backs shows lack of preparation. Refusing to score at least three points with the game still within reach shows horrible game management.
All of this falls on the shoulders of the one making the decisions on the sideline, the one tasked with putting his team in the best position to win, a process that starts the week before kickoff. Golden had 11 days to prepare his team; I don’t think 12 would’ve helped.
Miami made the interesting choice to wear their all white alternative “Stormtrooper” uniforms to counter the “blackout” at Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium. Brides wear white at their wedding to represent purity, and rebirth. On that end, Miami is the bride, a once sexy, beautiful woman who is now on the tail end of her peak years, desperate to find a suitor who can help her recapture her former glory, while dealing with the baggage she’s gathered over the years.
Right now, that baggage is Al Golden. With a brutal three weeks ahead, Golden needs to clean up his act if he expects to carry the Hurricanes over the threshold this season.
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