Hokies Dominate Canes

September 26, 2009

 Blacksburg, VA – When it rains it pours. That statement rang true for the Miami Hurricanes Saturday when they met the Virginia Tech Hokies in a down pour at sold out Lane Stadium.

            A lot of hype surrounded the Canes and their sophomore quarterback Jacory Harris as they ventured into Blacksburg to take on ACC Coastal Division rival Virginia Tech.  In the past week, Harris even found his name colliding in the same sentence with the phrase ‘Heisman Candidate.’  However, the excitement of the Canes 2-0 start was quickly squashed by the Hokies who defeated Miami 31-7.

            Many, including myself, picked Miami to start their 2009 season 0-4 and possibly be on their way to a 3^rd straight losing season.  However, Miami shocked Florida State and Georgia Tech with an explosive offense led by a very poised Jacory Harris.  However, the explosive offense that brought them victories in their first two games, was absent against Virginia Tech and Harris’ poise and calm approach failed to deliver any kind of an offensive threat.

            Early in the first quarter, Virginia Tech’s Dorian Porch forced a fumble from the hands of Harris which the Hokies recovered on the Miami 11 yard line.  Shortly after, freshman running back Ryan Williams ran in a touchdown giving Virginia Tech an early 7-0 lead.

            As the game went on, the weather never improved and neither did the Miami Hurricanes.  After their first three possessions, the Canes had run only 13 plays for a total of 25 yards and trailed 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

            It looked as though the momentum might shift at the beginning of the second quarter when Virginia Tech botched a snap on a punt attempt which Miami recovered on the Hokie 23 yard line.  However, Miami failed to capitalize on the great field position and after three quick plays, the Virginia Tech offense was back on the field where a 34 yard run by Josh Oglesby put them in the red zone. 

The Canes were handed another gift when kicker Matt Waldron missed a 25 yard field goal attempt.  But again, Miami was quickly forced to punt; a punt which Virginia Tech blocked (the 5^th career punt Matt Bosher has had blocked) and then recovered for a touchdown giving them a 21-0 lead going into the half.

            After the first half of play, Miami had just 54 total yards and Jacory Harris was 2 of 9 for 38 yards and -25 yards rushing.

            Despite Miami’s struggles, the real credit for this victory goes to the performance of the Hokies, and nothing should be taken away from them both offensively and defensively.

The Virginia Tech defense pressured Harris and showed him a pass rush that he had not seen in the previous two games.  Harris was never able to adjust, finishing the game a mere 9 of 25 for a total of 150 yards, along with a fumble, and an interception.  Running back Graig Cooper gained only 55 yards on 11 carries for the Canes and Javarris James had only 35 yards on 14 carries, but did account for Miami’s only touchdown.  Strong defensive play by Hokies Dorian Porch, Jake Johnson, and Cody Grimm held the Miami offense to a total of 209 yards and hushed all Heisman chatter regarding Jacory Harris.

The Virginia Tech offense was led by junior quarterback Tyrod Taylor and freshman running back Ryan Williams.  Taylor and Williams had their way with the Miami defense throughout the entire game.  Williams totaled 151 rushing yards on 35 carries, 40 yards on 2 receptions, and scored two touchdowns.  Taylor carried the ball 10 times for 75 yards and connected with wide receiver Jarrett Boykin for a 48 yard touchdown.

Miami’s only spark on offense came early in the second half when Harris came out throwing.  With just five plays, ending with a hand-off to Javarris James, the Canes put one in the Virginia Tech end-zone.  Down only two touchdowns with a whole half to play, it looked as though Miami might turn it around.  However, on their second possession of the third quarter, tight end Jimmy Graham dropped two key passes that would have amounted to significant yardage for the Canes.

With Miami looking deflated and the momentum shifted, Virginia Tech took advantage of Graham’s misfortune by again giving the ball to Ryan Williams who ran it deep into Miami territory.  This set up Matt Waldron, who redeemed his earlier miss by tacking on three points with a 22 yard field goal.

With Georgia Tech beating North Carolina and the Miami loss, no undefeated team remains in the ACC.  At this point in the season, I give the edge to Virginia Tech.  They have the weapons both offensively and defensively to take home an ACC Title.

          Virginia Tech also has the advantage of playing Duke in the coming week whereas Miami hosts the Oklahoma Sooners who should be well rested coming off a bye week.  The question is, can Coach Randy Shannon get his team and young quarterback to rebound from such a crushing defeat?  The Canes have some threatening playmakers, but their weaknesses on offense and defense were highly exposed by Virginia Tech.  Look for Oklahoma to hand Miami their second loss at Landshark Stadium next Saturday.

--Gregory Joss