Miami Football: Winners and Losers from Hurricanes' First Month

The Hurricanes went through the definition of an up and down month.

Miami started off the season at Maryland where they almost pulled an improbable upset without eight of their starters. They came up just short when Stephen Morris threw an interception that was returned for a touchdown with just under a minute to play.

Miami would then play Ohio State at Sun Life Stadium where they held the Buckeyes to under 40 total yards passing in a dominating 24-6 victory. Things were finally looking up for the 'Canes after the heartbreaking season-opening loss to Maryland and the Shapiro scandal that rocked the Miami campus in August.

With Kansas State coming into Sun Life Stadium, the 'Canes were expected to defeat Kansas State, where they would enter the Top 25 for the first time in 2011. This was not to be as Kansas State defeated the Hurricanes 28-24 as Jacory Harris was stopped one yard short of the end zone with 49 seconds remaining.

Their third straight game at home was a bit of a head scratcher. Bethune-Cookman led 7-0 after one quarter. For 22 minutes of the game, Cookman dominated. It wasn't until seven minutes remained in the second quarter that Miami finally scored. Cookman actually held a two-to-one advantage in time of possession and outgained the 'Canes in total yards 422-335.

With the 'Canes at an unimpressive 2-2 mark through four games, here are the winners and losers from the first month.

Lamar Miller

Lamar Miller may be the MVP of the Hurricanes through early October.

Since the suspensions of eight starters were announced in August, Miller has stepped up to lead the Hurricanes.

Since the first game at Maryland until the latest effort vs. Bethune-Cookman, this starting running back has been the most consistent 'Cane.

Lamar Miller has gained over 100 yards rushing in each of the four games this season. His best game was the only game in which he didn't score. Miller was the 'Canes offense in their 24-6 victory over Ohio State when he gained 184 yards through the ground. Jacory Harris struggled mightily throughout the night, throwing for only 123 yards and two interceptions.

The' Canes gained 363 total yards, and 240 of the yards were on the ground.

Miller has 511 yards on the ground for a 6.7 average. If Marcus Lattimore, LaMichael James and Trent Richardson are in the top tier of running backs at the NCAA level, Miller has to be just a level below them. That's how good he's been this season.

If it weren't for Lamar Miller, the Hurricanes would have no offense.

Winner: Lamar Miller

Allen Hurns

Allen Hurns has been the Hurricanes most consistent receiver through one-third of the season.

In Miami's 32-24 loss to Maryland, Hurns led the team with four receptions for 69 yards. He had a chance for a touchdown in the first quarter on a deep pass at the right side of the hash marks had it not been for an overthrown pass by Stephen Morris.

In the team's best effort of the season, in the 24-6 victory over Ohio State, Hurns had six receptions for 54 yards and two TDs.

Although he's been quiet in the past couple of games, Hurns has proven to be a reliable deep threat and possession receiver when called upon.

With Travis Benjamin back from suspension and warming back up to the playing field, expect Hurns' role to remain the same as it's been the past couple of weeks.

If Benjamin is to be sidelined/suspended again, Allen Hurns has proven that he can fulfill Benjamin's role in the offense.

Winner: Allen Hurns

Vaughn Telemaque

Telemaque has carried a defense that has gone through much change since the preseason.

In the aftermath of the suspensions that sidelined six 'Canes defensive starters, Telemaque has stepped up from the onset.

When Danny O'Brien dissected Miami in front of a national television audience on Labor Day, Telemaque is the 'Cane that stopped the bleeding. O'Brien had started off 10-13 and threw a touchdown on the Terrapins' opening drive. On Maryland's second drive while at the Miami one, Telemaque picked off O'Brien's pass to prevent a touchdown.

In that game alone, Maryland was inside Miami's 11 six times, but only came up with one touchdown. Telemaque had eight tackles in this game to lead the team.

The defense has gone through many changes in the starting lineup since that week. Adewale Ojomo and Ray-Ray Armstrong have been benched and Ramon Buchanan was recently announced as being out for the season.

With the defensive leader out for the year, Telemaque has a chance to improve his draft stock by becoming the true leader of the defense as the season progresses.

Winner: Vaughn Telemaque

Offensive Line

This offensive line has gone through so much turmoil.

Standout tackle Seantrel Henderson went through back surgery right before the season started. He did not return to action until the Bethune-Cookman game in a reserve role.

All-ACC lineman Brandon Washington moved from starting guard to starting tackle. Redshirt freshman Jon Feliciano was inserted into the starting lineup at tackle as a reaction to Henderson's injury.

Even though all of this turmoil, the offensive line has remained one of the strengths of this team.

The 'Canes rushing attack hasn't been dominant, but they've been good enough to put Miami in position to win all four despite Jacory Harris' ineffectiveness. The 'Canes only rush for 30 yards less than they pass for.

On the season, the offensive line has given up only four sacks, which is good for 16th-best in the nation.

This offensive line has paved the way for Lamar Miller's four 100-yard rushing games and has given Jacory Harris a great amount of time to throw the football.

Imagine what this line will look like with Seantrel Henderson back.

Winners: Offensive Line

Jordan Futch

Futch was expected to be a starter at the beginning of the season, got demoted and is now expected to be back in the starting lineup with Ramon Buchanan out for the season.

Futch has only nine tackles on the season and did not play vs. Ohio State.

In the event of Ramon Buchanan's injury, Futch needs to help out Sean Spence to anchor the linebackers. Both are experienced seniors. The 'Canes rank 99th in run defense and were recently called out by Al Golden through the media.

Jordan Futch can make a difference if he chooses to step up.

Loser: Jordan Futch

Adewale Ojomo

Ojomo was one of the eight starters suspended for the season opener at Maryland. He had draft stock entering the season and was looking to build upon that in 2011 in his senior season.

It's not looking good so far.

Adewale was benched after the upset loss to Kansas State where the 'Canes got torn to shreds on the ground, not just by the running back, but by starting quarterback Colin Klein. Klein gained nearly 100 yards rushing and keyed the zone option read that left the Hurricanes scratching their heads.

The 'Canes currently rank 99th in run defense.

Ojomo was one of the scapegoats as he was benched in favor of highly touted freshman Anthony Chickillo.

Loser: Adewale Ojomo

Jacory Harris

I know Harris gets a lot of slack, but almost every bit of it is warranted.

Harris has not improved by much in his senior season. He's the same quarterback that forces passes into double coverage. He's the same quarterback that is very talented, yet makes dumb decisions when receivers aren't open.

Harris threw for two costly INTs against Ohio State. He did throw for two TDs, but his TDs were mainly set up by the great running game. Harris threw for 123 yards in that game and was obviously handcuffed by Golden due to Harris' penchant for mistakes.

Harris had a good game at Kansas State, throwing for a couple of touchdowns, but he also had an interception as Miami was in Kansas State territory in the second quarter.

Has Harris been the main problem for the 'Canes inconsistency through four games? No. Has he made things better? No.

The Hurricanes rank 88th in the nation in passing. Golden obviously knows that Miami does not have an elite passing attack, hence the reason why he has Harris throwing so many short-yardage passes. The Miami offense is handcuffed by Harris' inconsistency, which is the reason why they have to rely so heavily upon the running game.

Has Harris improved slightly this year? Yes. He is completing 69 percent of his passes.

However, you still get nervous when Harris drops back to pass. If it wasn't for Ohio State's terrible offense, Harris would have lost the game for Miami.

In Harris' senior season, where he was expected to make significant strides, Harris has made just baby steps. For a quarterback who's been one of the league leaders in interceptions thrown over the past two seasons, that is simply not enough.

Loser: Jacory Harris