Re-Imagining the Miami Hurricanes' 2013 Season Without Injuries

The Miami Hurricanes finished the 2013 college football regular season with a 9-3 record, but a couple of injuries have left ‘Canes fans imagining what could have happened with a Miami team at full strength.

Al Golden’s team won its first seven games, including victories over in-state rival Florida, Georgia Tech and North Carolina, but then the injury bug struck—among others—running back Duke Johnson.

And it turned the tide of Miami’s blossoming campaign.

Florida State, Virginia Tech and Duke topped the Hurricanes in three consecutive weeks, and a once-promising season transformed to utter disappointment quickly.

The injuries alone were not solely responsible for the Miami losses, but—as is the case for every team—the bumps and bruises did not help.

It is important to recognize that as a whole, Al Golden’s squad made it through the season relatively injury-free. The problem, however, is that the injuries affected key players.

Most notably, the sophomore Johnson suffered a fractured ankle against Florida State, and the Hurricanes struggled without their superstar. Overall, Miami went 2-2 in his absence, rushing for an average of 121.0 yards per game compared to 198.3 when Johnson was in the backfield.

Considering junior wide receiver Phillip Dorsett led the team with 842 receiving yards last season, big things were expected from the speedster. However, Dorsett tore his MCL against North Carolina and missed five games before playing a few snaps vs. Pittsburgh in the season finale.

Fellow junior wideout Rashawn Scott was the second-leading receiver during the 2012 campaign, catching 35 passes for 512 yards. But Scott broke his collarbone while diving for a pass against Florida Atlantic during the ‘Canes’ season opener, and he caught just one pass after returning.

Sophomore safety Deon Bush never really found a rhythm during the season after undergoing hernia surgery this offseason. A.J. Highsmith—one of Bush’s main replacements—was constantly picked on by opposing offenses, and his struggles triggered frustration among Miami fans.

But in reality, the injury that most affected the Hurricanes was Duke Johnson’s.

At the time of his unfortunate ankle injury, Florida State was in control of the game, leading 35-14 as the fourth quarter approached. The Hurricanes offense certainly missed Dorsett’s speed and ability to stretch the field, but the Seminoles still would have won the game.

Against Virginia Tech, the Hurricanes became a one-dimensional offense.

That would not necessarily be a problem, but it was raining, and the game was entirely on quarterback Stephen Morris’ arm. The option for Miami to hand the ball off was not there, and the Hokies defense took advantage.

Ultimately, Miami mustered 28 yards on 24 carries, and Morris was forced to throw 29 rain-soaked passes. Johnson’s injury hurt Miami, but the loss was unavoidable even without him.

Three fumbles are really what doomed the ‘Canes in this game, losing two on long kick returns and failing to recover one in the end zone.

But what if Johnson was in the game?

His replacement, Dallas Crawford, carried the ball 10 times for 37 yards—but the sophomore ripped off a 35-yard run. So, in other words, Crawford gained two yards on nine carries. Had Johnson played that game, the Miami ground game certainly would have been more effective.

Plus, he may have been back deep for the kick Artie Burns returned and consequently fumbled. Johnson had returned 10 kickoffs to that point, so throwing him back to bust a long return was a definite option.

Eventually, however, the Hurricanes lost by 18 points, and the 549 total yards of offense they allowed were not productive, but Morris and co. would have been more efficient with Johnson.

The following week, the now-Coastal Division champion Duke Blue Devils spoiled the ‘Canes run for the division crown.

Again, the Miami defense was the weak link, and Duke quarterback Brandon Connette and the Blue Devils' rushing attack bulled its way to 358 yards and five touchdowns, making a spectacle of a porous Miami defense.

Crawford ran for 115 yards, so the Hurricanes were not one-dimensional. Johnson's presence was needed in the fourth quarter, though, since the Blue Devils outscored Miami 17-0 during the final frame to come out on top 48-30.

Johnson lifted the team to a win before, and he would have been asked to do it again. Earlier in the season against Wake Forest, Johnson propelled the 'Canes to a 24-21 victory, running for 85 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries in the fourth quarter.

With all that being said, however, the injuries to Johnson, Dorsett and Scott made other players step up, and two players jump off the paper.

During the last two contests, led by true freshman Stacy Coley and senior Allen Hurns, Miami returned to its winning ways. Coley racked up 227 offensive yards (154 receiving, 73 rushing) and four touchdowns, while Hurns was a mere yard away from 300 combined against Virginia and Pitt.

Additionally, Stephen Morris finally found his stride, throwing nine touchdowns to just two interceptions over the final four games, though Duke Johnson was not in the lineup.

Running back Gus Edwards, Coley and other young 'Canes also received invaluable playing time, so Golden's continued build toward the future gained some experience.

Ultimately, at best, the Hurricanes would have finished the season 11-1 and preparing for a rematch with Florida State this weekend.

Unfortunately, Miami can only imagine that dreamed scenario—no matter how close and attainable it once was.

The 'Canes were in position to win every game other than their meeting with Florida State, but mistakes by players actually on the field doomed Miami.

Instead of looking back at what could have happened, however, the Hurricanes will look forward to their first bowl appearance since 2010. And if Miami pulls out a win in its respective game, the 'Canes will have won 10 games in a single season for the first time since 2004.

Imagine that.