Miami Football: Report Card Grades for Miami vs. Ohio State

The Hurricanes defense was able to shut down the Buckeyes offense, but it was not an impressive win whatsoever.

Miami ran the ball well, but turnovers and penalties haunted them once more. In fact, Miami can actually thank Ohio State for playing a very poor offensive game.

Either way, a win is a win, and Miami needed it to gain some confidence heading into the harder part of their season.

Here is the game's report card for the Miami Hurricanes.

Quarterbacks: D-

Jacory Harris played in his first game of the year coming fresh off a one-game suspension, and it wasn't impressive at all.

Although Harris had two short touchdown passes, his two interceptions trumped them.

Every time Harris goes into a five or seven-step drop, I close my eyes and hope he doesn't throw into coverage; it's that bad.

Take the two interceptions he had this game and four he had against the Buckeyes last year and it proves Harris just doesn't have what it takes in big games.

He throws into coverage too much and gets the ball off way too late.

If I were coach Al Golden I would honestly think about sitting Harris and letting the sophomore Stephen Morris take over the reigns.

Harris just doesn't have what it takes to bring this team back to relevance.

Running Backs: A+

Ohio State doesn't give up 100-yard rushers that often, in fact, in the last 80 games the Buckeyes have only given it up 10 times.

Lamar Miller did it in the first quarter.

With huge question marks at quarterback, Coach Golden came into this season knowing that Miami had to be successful in the rushing game and against Ohio State they did just that.

Miller ended the night with 26 carries for 184 yards.

Backup running back Mike James also got into the action with 45 yards and a touchdown.

Wide Receivers/Tight End: B

This one is a tough one because of the quarterback play of Jacory Harris, but Allen Hurns and Tommy Streeter made some tough catches throughout the night.

Hurns was Harris's primary receiver all night as he caught six passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns.

Streeter also had a good game catching two passes for 44 yards including an amazing catch he made with his knees on a big third down.

Travis Benjamin caught three passes but for only 13 yards.

It was a much better performance than last year against Ohio State when Miami dropped at least six passes.

If Harris or Morris can throw the ball better, Miami may have a very good receiving corp.

The Hurricane tight ends only had two catches for five yards.

Offensive Line: B+

The offensive line is supposed to be the strength of this Hurricane team, and they proved why as they opened gaping holes at times for the Miami running backs.

The offensive line allowed Miami to run for 240 yards against an Ohio State team that has given up just 80 rushing yards in the last two games.

Jacory Harris did have some pressure throughout the night especially coming from the left tacklea position that has been filled by four different players already.

With Seantrel Henderson out, no one has really stepped up to take over the starting position.

Defensive Linemen: D+

The Hurricanes defensive linemen were supposed to be much improved, especially with the talents of Olivier Vernon, Marcus Forston and Adewale Ojomo.

Vernon is out for four more games due to suspension, and Forston and Ojomo played their first game Saturday night and were unheard of for most of the night.

The defensive unit seemed to be getting pushed around all game as Miami was having problems with the size of the Buckeyes front line.

The Buckeye quarterbacks had all day to throw the ball at times but were unable to find any open receivers.

Freshman Anthony Chickillo did get his first career sack as a Hurricane.

Linebackers: C+

The Hurricane linebackers definitely seem a lot better with Sean Spence is back in the starting lineup.  Spence served a one game suspension and made some very key tackles throughout the game.

Middle linebacker Jimmy Gaines recorded six tackles in the victory giving him 13 tackles in two games.

The Hurricane linebackers did a good job in covering Ohio States great tight end, Jake Stoneburner who had no catches.

Stoneburner came into the game with four touchdowns in the last two games.

Cornerbacks: A-

I am not 100 percent sure if the Buckeye pass offense is that bad or if the Hurricanes corners played that well.

We will say it was just a little of both. Either the way, the Hurricanes defensive backs held the Buckeyes to just 35 total passing yards.

With question marks at cornerback, the Hurricanes rotated multiple players at the safety and cornerback position.

The cornerbacks did a lot better this game compared to the first one against Maryland where Miami gave up 348 passing yards.

Safeties: A

Although Miami may be missing their best safety, Ray Ray Armstrong, there doesn't seem to be a drop off in talent.

Vaughn Telemaque had another very good game as the Hurricanes were able to stop any deep throws attempted by the Buckeyes.

Telemaque continued to play hard and made a couple more bone-crushing tackles.

JoJo Nicholas also played safety and caught his interception while playing the free-safety position.

Special Teams: B

Miami was to have the edge in kick and punt returns, but they were unable to really make any waves as the Hurricanes only had three return opportunities all game.

The Hurricanes continued to cover pretty well compared to last year when one of their best tacklers was punter/kicker Matt Bosher.

Kicker Jake Wieclaw made his second field goal of the season and is now two-for-two for the season.

The biggest surprise of the young season has been transfer punter Dalton Botts who had four punts for 191 yards, 47.8 yards per punt.

Coaching: A

Although this is not the same Ohio State team from last year, the Hurricanes coaching staff did a very good job in correcting problems they had in their previous game against Maryland.

They called a very good offensive game all night and were able to limit their false starts penalties only committing two all game.

The defense coaching adjustment was much improved, although it helps when you get five starters back from suspensions.

Intangibles: B

The Hurricanes played a much better game than they did against Maryland.

They were able to limit penalties against Ohio State, but the problem at quarterback is still a huge red flag for this team.

On the defensive side, the Hurricanes are still hurting with the suspensions of Oliver Vernon and Ray Ray Armstrong.

The Buckeyes team though just looked horrible on offense, and I am not really sure it had anything to do with how great the Hurricanes defense is.

Overall though, a win is a win and Miami was able to avoid their first 0-2 start since 1978.