Saturday, October 31, 2009

Miami vs Wake Forest Revisited


Last year Miami narrowly escaped with a 16-10 victory over Wake Forest at Dolphin Stadium. Thearon Collier's 25-yard reception on a third-and-10 with three minutes remaining sealed the game for the 'Canes.

The end of the game also featured the appearance of Chris Hayes, whose story was chronicled on ESPN's Gameday this morning. The web article can be read here.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Edgerrin James & Ottis Anderson


Edgerrin James and Ottis Anderson were on hand to see Bennie Blades, Steve Walsh and Eddie Dunn inducted into the University of Miami Ring of Honor. James was inducted in 2008 and Anderson was inducted in 1999.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Steve Walsh


Steve Walsh is one of three new additions to the University of Miami Ring of Honor. Walsh posted a record of 23-1 in his two seasons as a starting quarterback for Miami and led the Hurricanes to the 1987 national championship. Walsh closed his Hurricanes career tied with Vinny Testeverde for a then school record for career touchdown passes with 48.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Jeremy Shockey


Jeremy Shockey led the Saints with four catches for 105 yards, including a career long 66 yarder, during the New Orleans Saints' big 46-34 comeback victory over the Miami Dolphins Sunday.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Bennie Blades


Bennie Blades is one of three new additions to the University of Miami Ring of Honor. Blades was a first-team All-American in 1986 and 1987, won the Jim Thorpe Award and finished his UM career as the 'Canes all-time interception leader with 19.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Forty Scored Seven Years Ago


Today marks the 7th anniversary of the 'Canes last appearance in Morgantown, WV. Why is this significant, you ask?

It's not that the 'Canes amassed 524 total yards in the 40-23 victory over the Mountaineers.

Nor is it that it was Miami's 800th game, or that Miami tied a school record with its 29th straight win, or even that Ken Dorsey moved into the top spot on Miami's all-time list for passing yards, completions and total offense, surpassing Gino Torretta in all three categories.

The real reason for celebration is that we won't, in the foreseeable future, have to go back there!

Since this blog is a positive blog, we won't tell you about Danyell Ferguson's fan-fueled rocky ambulance ride (1996), Randy Shannon taking a garbage can to the head (hurled from the upper deck, also 1996), the student section's propensity for tossing liquor bottles at the opposition (pick a year!), or even my personal experiences with a drunken fan breaking my monopod in a post game celebration (1993), the thrown orange I took in the back (1998), my several run-ins with frat boys, fans or alumni spitting tobacco at me (1993, 1996, 1998, 2000) or any of the other welcoming behavior we experienced on the campus of West Virginia University.

I know that not all West Virginians, or even all Mountaineer fans, are represented by the examples I named above; those we did encounter were bad enough that I am happy not to have to go back there again, even though we are 7-1 all time on their tobacco-stained turf.

WVU fans' classlessness isn't limited to Miami. Jay Coulter writes: "Talk to an Auburn fan who made the trip to Morgantown last year and you'll almost certainly hear a bad story. Many that made the trip say the fans were the worst they'd encountered in all their years of traveling to games. They were described as rude, classless and mean spirited."

That's a lot of swagger from a team whose all-time greatest accomplishment includes spending one entire week of being ranked #1.

So today marks the celebration of seven Mountaineer Field-free years; here's to many, many more. I can't think of anything more positive!

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Clemson 40, Miami 37


Jacoby Ford's 26-yard touchdown reception from Kyle Parker (shown above) gave Clemson a 40-37 overtime win Saturday over the ninth-ranked 'Canes last night.

The game winning play wasn't even in Clemson's playbook. Ford, a product of Cardinal Newman high school, drew it up on a whiteboard on the Clemson sideline with quarterback Kyle Parker and offensive coordinator Billy Napier.

For Dave Hyde's story, click here.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Miami vs Clemson Revisited


1,498 days after Miami and Clemson last met, the Tigers (3-3, 2-2 ACC) will visit the 'Canes (5-1, 2-1) today at 3:30pm at LandShark Stadium.

The Sporting News' take on the meeting can be read here.

On September 17, 2005 in Death Valley, the 'Canes needed three overtimes to defeat the Tigers 36-30.

Tyrone Moss (above) scored the eventual game winner on a 25-yard touchdown run in the third overtime. Moss bounced out to the right side for his scoring run and safety Kenny Phillips intercepted Charlie Whitehurst when the Tigers got their possession in the third overtime.

Moss finished with 139 yards rushing and three touchdowns, two in overtime. His 1-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter put Miami up 20-10, while his 3-yard scoring run gave the Hurricanes a brief 27-20 lead in the first overtime.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Malcolm Grant


Redshirt sophomore Malcolm Grant, a Villanova transfer who sat out last year per NCAA rules, is Miami's first true point guard since Anthony Harris. Grant and his teammates are gearing up for the 'Canes first home exhibition game on Monday, November 9th against Florida Southern at the BankUnited Center.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Jimmy Graham


Tight end Jimmy Graham leads the 'Canes in touchdown catches with three so far this season, despite last playing football as a high school freshman.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Tavares Gooden


Tavares Gooden led the Ravens with eight tackles during Baltimore's 33-31 defeat to the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday.

Ravens blogger Steve Hasler wrote: "Tavares Gooden finally revealed what all the buzz has been about him. He showed great instincts, covered receivers well, ran hard to the ball, showed uncanny speed, reacted and shed well, tackled hard and in fact led the team in tackles. Gooden’s best play may have been streaking across the field to catch Peterson from behind after Reed let him escape." You can see that play, at about 2:45 into the highlights, here.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Ray Ray Armstrong


Ray Ray Armstrong and the 'Canes defense held UCF to 53 yards rushing on 24 attempts during Miami's 27-7 victory over the Knights last Saturday.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Jared Campbell


Miami defensive back Jared Campbell deflects a pass intended for UCF wide receiver A.J. Guyton during the 'Canes 27-7 victory over the Knights last Saturday in Orlando.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Miami 27, UCF 7


Micanor Regis and the 'Canes defense held UCF running back Brynn Harvey to 25 yards rushing on 12 carries during Miami's 27-7 victory over the Knights last night in Orlando.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Miami vs UCF Revisited


Graig Cooper rushed for 90 yards and this late 4th quarter touchdown to lead the 'Canes to a 20-14 victory over the Knights last season.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Women's Basketball Opens Season with First Practice


While the University of Miami women's basketball team's first game of the 2009-10 season isn't until Nov. 13, the team will officially start practice today at the BankUnited Center. You can read more here.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Shenise Johnson


Hurricanes sophomore Shenise Johnson poses in her Team USA uniform at the BankUnited Center on Tuesday. Shenise was a member of the 2009 FIBA U19 World Championship squad that brought home the gold from Thailand in August.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Kellen Winslow II


Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Kellen Winslow caught 9 passes for 102 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Bucs' 33-14 loss to the Eagles on Sunday. Winslow is shown above catching a touchdown in the 2002 Hurricanes victory over Virginia Tech.

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Sam Shields


Miami defensive back Sam Shields levels Florida A&M's Philip Sylvester during the 'Canes 48-16 victory over the Rattlers last Saturday.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Mike James


Miami running back Mike James dives over the Florida A&M defense and the goal line for a touchdown during the 'Canes 48-16 victory over the Rattlers last Saturday.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Miami 48, FAMU 16


Miami junior running back Damien Berry carried the ball 14 times for 162 yards and a touchdown to lead the Hurricanes to a 48-16 victory over Florida A&M last night.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Jacory Harris


Hurricanes quarterback Jacory Harris, sporting a new haircut seen here, overcame two early interceptions to throw for 202 yards and three touchdowns against Oklahoma last week. What haircut might he reveal before tonight's game? We'll be watching.

Friday, October 9, 2009

Jared Campbell


Miami junior defensive back Jared Campbell loses his helmet while tackling Oklahoma running back Chris Brown during the 'Canes 21-20 victory over the Sooners last Saturday.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Ray Ray Armstrong


Hurricanes freshman defensive back Ray Ray Armstrong introduced himself to Oklahoma tailback DeMarco Murray and the rest of the college football world during the first quarter of Miami's 21-20 victory over the Sooners last Saturday.

Murray was on a first-quarter run when he hurdled 'Canes defensive back Vaughn Telemaque. Armstrong was waiting. The result is below.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Santana Moss


Santana Moss, shown here with the 'Canes in 2000, had two catches for 74 yards and a touchdown last Sunday in the Washington Redskins 16-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Corey Nelms


Hurricanes track star and walk-on defensive back Corey Nelms made his first tackle a memorable one to open the second half against Oklahoma Saturday. Nelms' hit on Mossis Madu "was the turning point in the game" according to head coach Randy Shannon. The senior all-ACC hurdler is in his first season on the football squad.

Monday, October 5, 2009

Javarris James


Javarris James, shown here shaking off a facemask from Oklahoma defensive back Quinton Carter, gained 150 yards on 15 carries during Miami's 21-20 victory over the Sooners last Saturday.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Later, Sooners!


Hurricanes quarterback Jacory Harris is all smiles after leading Miami to a 21-20 victory over the #8 Oklahoma Sooners last night.

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Time for Redemption


Tonight, the 'Canes face Oklahoma at Landshark Stadium at 8pm on ABC. With a victory, UM can take back possession of this series after a 51-13 blowout loss in Norman in 2007. After losing two games to the Sooners in the '70's, the Jimmy Johnson era won all three matchups in the '80's. The series is currently even at three victories each.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Matt Pipho named semifinalist for Campbell Trophy


Hurricanes offensive lineman Matt Pipho is among the 154 semifinalists for the 2009 William V. Campbell Trophy (formerly known as the Draddy Trophy).

Nominated by their schools, which are limited to one nominee each, semifinalists must be a senior or graduate student in their final year of eligibility, have a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, have outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor, and have demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship. Renamed this fall in honor of Bill Campbell, the chairman of Intuit, former player and head coach at Columbia University and the 2004 recipient of the NFF's Gold Medal, the award comes with a 25-pound bronze trophy and a $25,000 post- graduate scholarship.

"The Campbell Trophy semifinalists represent everything great about college football, having achieved excellence in all aspect of their lives," said NFF President & CEO Steven J. Hatchell. "It is the NFF's duty to promote their accomplishments while encouraging future generations of gridiron standouts to aim high on and off the football field."

The NFF Awards Committee will select and announce up to 15 finalists on Oct. 29. Each finalist will be recognized as part of the 2009 NFF National Scholar- Athlete Class, receiving an $18,000 post-graduate scholarship. The Campbell Trophy winner, who will have his scholarship increased to $25,000, will be announced live at the NFF's Annual Awards Dinner on December 8 at the prestigious Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. A total distribution of $277,000 in scholarships will be awarded that evening.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Sylvia Bullock


Sophomore forward Sylvia Bullock poses during last week's Women's Basketball photo day in the UM Fieldhouse in Coral Gables.