'Canes Volleyball heads to NCAA Tourney

Yesterday, the University of Miami volleyball team received a bid to the 2009 NCAA Women's Volleyball Tournament with an at-large selection out of the Atlantic Coast Conference.

This will be the second NCAA Tournament appearance for the 'Canes since the program began in 2001. Miami's last trip to the NCAA Tournament ended with a trip to the Round of 16 in 2002. On their way to the "Sweet 16", the Hurricanes upset Duke and 15th-ranked Wisconsin, before falling to No. 4 Nebraska in Lincoln, Neb.

Miami (18-12) will meet cross-town rival FIU (31-3)--champions out of the Sun Belt Conference, in the opening round on Thursday, Dec. 3. Miami and FIU will square off in the first match of the day on Thursday at 5 p.m. ET. The second-round contest will be played Friday at 7 p.m. ET. All matches will take place on the UF campus inside the Stephen C. O'Connell Center.

Miami 31, USF 10

Hurricanes running back Damien Berry gained 114 yards on 12 carries as Miami defeated the South Florida Bulls 31-10 last night in Tampa. The 'Canes amassed 240 yards on the ground, with Graig Cooper contributing 83 yards and Javarris James adding two touchdowns to the rushing total.

Miami vs USF means more than a "W"

I lieu of our usual "revisited" game day posts, we've decided to remind our fans about USF's belief they are one of us.

After the Bulls' upset victory over Florida State in Tallahassee earlier this season, University of South Florida Executive Associate Athletic Director Bill McGillis placed a very visible billboard near the I-275 & I-4 interchange in Tampa trumpeting the Big 3 of Florida college football, Florida, Miami and FSU, turning into the Big 4.

Coupled with Kayvon Webster's dramatic change of heart on National Signing Day last February, where the Miami Pace Monsignor senior shunned his oral UM commitment in favor of the geographically misnomered school in Tampa, the Bulls believe they have earned our respect.

Let's show them they aren't one of us.

Sean Taylor

Sean Taylor lost his life two years ago today, from gunshot wounds to the leg after being shot at during a home break-in.

The Sun-Sentinel's Ethan Skolnick wrote a story in today's paper that can be read here.

For more information about the Sean Taylor Foundation, click here.

Caneshooter.com's Black Friday Sale

Tomorrow, Caneshooter.com will have it's own Black Friday sale. 'Canes fans can take 25% off their entire order all day Friday, November 27th from 12:00am to 11:59pm EST. A classic Hurricanes photo would make the perfect gift for the Miami fan that has everything! Enter promo code "blackfriday" at checkout.

Riquna Williams

Riquna Williams, who came into yesterday's game with Houston leading the ACC with 27.5 points per game, went off for 21 second-half points and scored 28 for the day as the 'Canes defeated the Cougars 68-54 to move to 5-0 on the season. The Pahokee, Fla. native hit four three-pointers and had two other three-point plays in the contest.

Antonio Dixon

Philadelphia lineman and UM alum Antonio Dixon blocked a field goal attempt by Chicago's Robbie Gould during the Eagles' 24-20 victory over the Bears Sunday night.

Dwayne Collins

Hurricanes forward Dwayne Collins earned MVP honors as Miami defeated South Carolina 85-70 in the championship game of the Charleston Classic on Sunday night.

Collins scored 17 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in the championship game. In the opening game against Tulane, Collins notched 14 boards to go with his 22 points. All totaled, Collins scored 48 points and collected 34 rebounds in the three game tournament.

Miami 34, Duke 16

The Miami bench erupts as senior Darryl Sharpton intercepts a Thaddeus Lewis pass and returns it 73-yards for a touchdown in his final home game during the 'Canes 34-16 win over the Duke Blue Devils Saturday.

Miami vs Duke revisited

Jacory Harris threw for four touchdowns and ran for another during Miami's 49-31 victory over Duke last season. Harris came of the bench in the 2nd quarter to rally the 'Canes from a 10 point deficit, completing 18 of 28 passes for 185 yards.

Ian Symonette & A.J. Trump

Hurricanes offensive linemen Ian Symonette and A.J. Trump enjoy a moment of solitude at the locker room entrance before Miami's 33-24 defeat to the North Carolina Tar Heels in Chapel Hill, North Carolina last Saturday.

Diane Barnes

Senior Diane Barnes grabbed a career-high 14 rebounds and also scored 12 points, recording her second double-double of the season, helping the 'Canes women's basketball team to an 88-46 victory over the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats at the BankUnited Center last night.

Reggie Wayne

Reggie Wayne led the Indianapolis Colts with 126 yards receiving and two touchdowns, including the game winning catch after Patriots coach Bill Belichick's infamous 4th down call, during their 35-34 victory over New England last Sunday.

James Dews

Senior James Dews led four Hurricanes in double figures as Miami's men's basketball team cruised to the 108-58 win over Nova Southeastern on Monday evening at the BankUnited Center.

Dews converted a career-high five-of-seven three-pointers en route to a game-high 19 points as the Hurricanes hit a total of 14 shots from long range. It is the most three-point baskets since Miami hit a school-record 15 treys versus Georgetown on March 3, 1993.

Ken Dorsey & Jacory Harris

Former Hurricanes quarterback Ken Dorsey consoles Jacory Harris after his worst performance as a 'Cane, throwing four interceptions during Miami's 33-24 loss to North Carolina Saturday.

North Carolina 33, Miami 24

'Canes fans likely won't forget the name Kendric Burney anytime soon.

The junior cornerback for the Tar Heels returned one of his three interceptions for a 77-yard touchdown and his third pick resulted in a bizarre fourth-quarter score that helped North Carolina beat the 'Canes 33-24 on Saturday.

Burney finished with 170 interception return yards, a single-game ACC record, and became the first Tar Heel to have three picks in a game since Dre' Bly in 1996.

Miami vs North Carolina revisited

Last year at Dolphin Stadium, North Carolina quarterback Cameron Sexton threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Brooks Foster with 46 seconds left to defeat the Hurricanes 28-24. One highlight for the 'Canes was this Travis Benjamin punt return which featured two huge blocks, the second by linebacker Colin McCarthy, who knocked University of North Carolina linebacker Ryan Taylor on his back.

Sebastian the Ibis

Sebastian the Ibis watches himself on the Jumbotron before the 'Canes 52-17 victory over Virginia last Saturday at LandShark Stadium.

Greg Olsen

Former 'Canes tight end Greg Olsen had five catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns in the Chicago Bears 41-21 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday.

Tim James

In honor of Veteran's Day, you should read the story written by Dan LeBatard about former Hurricanes and Heat star Tim James, who is serving our country in Iraq with the US Army.

Durand Scott

Freshman point guard Durand Scott, a five-star recruit making his first Miami appearance, scored a game-high 17 points with five assists and five steals to lead the University of Miami to an 85-52 exhibition win over visiting Florida Southern College last night.

“It felt great,” said Scott after the game. “I was happy to be there and just wanted to go out there and have fun with my teammates. I wanted to get a feel for the guys – just to know how they play and how I can play with them, when to pass, who the shooters are, who runs well on the floor – so I know how to put myself in the right position to make them better.”

Senior forward Dwayne Collins added five blocks. The 'Canes open the regular season at home on Saturday versus North Carolina Central at 4 p.m.

Thearon Collier

Thearon Collier's amazing 60 yard punt return for a touchdown, during which he eluded seven Virginia defenders and was the beneficiary of two huge blocks, caused head coach Randy Shannon to get airborne during the 'Canes 52-17 victory over the Cavaliers last Saturday.

Miami 52, Virginia 17

Graig Cooper rushed for a career best 152 yards and a touchdown, Thearon Collier returned a 60-yard punt return for a touchdown as the Hurricanes defeated Virginia 52-17 yesterday at LandShark Stadium.

Collier's punt return quite possibly was the play of the year for the 'Canes.

All alone because the punt block rush was on, Collier avoided two Cavalier defenders and retreated several yards and evaded Virginia's Perry Jones while making a wide arc toward the Hurricanes' sideline. Two huge, crowd inspiring blocks, the last from Chavez Grant (shown above), finally sprung him free down the UM sideline to give the 'Canes a 17-10 lead.

Bryan Pata

It was three years ago today 'Canes defensive lineman Bryan Pata was murdered outside his Kendall apartment. Last year I blogged about a photo shoot I did with Bryan's mother Jeanette for Unrestricted Magazine which can be read here. Read today's story in the Miami Herald here.

Brittany Viola & Amy Deem

Yesterday was Iron Arrow's tapping day at the Coral Gables campus as a part of homecoming week, and two members of the athletic department were tapped. Iron Arrow is the highest honor attainable at the University of Miami.

Brittany Viola won the 2008 NCAA championship in diving's ten-meter platform. She is shown (above) with assistant AD's Tony Hernandez and Connie Nickel.


Amy Deem has guided 35 student-athletes to a combined 128 All-America honors and 10 individual National Championships, including 2006 NCAA Outdoor triple jump Champion Tabia Charles, 2005 NCAA Indoor and Outdoor shot put champion Kim Barrett and 2004 NCAA 100-meter Champion Lauryn Williams. Williams and assistant AD Tony Hernandez are shown here with Coach Deem.

Miami vs Virginia revisited

Last season against Virginia Jacory Harris threw a 26 yard touchdown pass to LaRon Byrd to cap a 15 play, 95 yard drive to send to game into overtime, then threw a 9 yard touchdown pass to Aldarius Johnson on the 'Canes first possession. After the Cavaliers fumbled on the first play of their possession, Miami emerged victorious 24-17.

Reggie Wayne

Reggie Wayne led the Indianapolis Colts to a 18-14 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on 12 catches for 147 yards and a touchdown. Wayne was a game-time decision after nursing a minor groin injury last week.

Jacory Harris

Miami sophomore quarterback Jacory Harris and Duke senior quarterback Thaddeus Lewis share this week’s Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Back of the Week award.

Harris earned this third Offensive Back of the Week award this season after he picked up his second career 300-yard passing game in a 28-27 comeback win at Wake Forest. He completed 22-of-43 attempts for 330 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner to Travis Benjamin with 1:08 left in the game that capped a nine-play and 82-yard drive. Harris surpassed the 2,000-yard passing mark to become the first Hurricane to throw for more than 2,000 yards in a season since Kyle Wright in 2005.

Aldarius Johnson

Aldarius Johnson makes a clutch reception on a 4th-and-sixteen with the 'Canes down 27-21 in the closing minutes to keep the drive alive. Two plays later, Travis Benjamin scored the the go ahread touchdown to give the 'Canes a 28-27 comeback victory over Wake Forest Saturday.

MIami 28, Wake Forest 27

While Travis Benjamin couldn't grab this pass (above) in the first half, he came up big when it mattered most.

Benjamin's 13-yard touchdown catch from Jacory Harris with 1:08 left lifted the 'Canes to a 28-27 victory over Wake Forest yesterday in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Harris went 22 of 43 for 330 yards and three touchdowns and the Hurricanes overcame both a 17-0 first half deficit and the Demon Deacons 555 total yards of offense for the victory.