Give West Virginia credit, they played Miami for four full quarters. Miami played a lacksidasical game, but managed to pull it out with a field goal by freshman John Pettie with :14 seconds left.
I was a win, but with huge loss. Frank Gore and Maurice Sikes were both lost to knee injuries with MRIs to come tomorrow. Hopefully they'll both be back for FSU next week or else I'll be writing a requiem on Miami's season.
It was a great game, but they've got to quit doing this to me. This is worse than any of the Wide Left games ever were.
Plus, I'm so wound up, I probably won't be able to sleep until sometime late Monday night after going through the emotional rollercoaster.
Quick player observations:
Brock Berlin - Corso and Herbstreit talked about how Berlin is a product of the Spurrier system. I mentioned this a few weeks ago. He played best when the pressure was on and he relied on instinct instead of trying to overthink.
Kellen Winslow - Too much talking, but he certainly backed it up when the chips were down. We need more of the player and less of the talker.
John Pettie - I'm going to declare that John Pettie got himself an NFL contract on that last kick. All those streaks, all that Miami history, their entire season riding on one kick - and he nailed it. Pressure kickers are a precious commodity - ask Bobby Bowden.
Miami's Defense - Too many players out of position, too poor a job of tackling. They played extremely well in the second half, but that will be too late against FSU or VT.
Permalink | Send To A Friend | Linking Blogs | Digg this!
Filed under:
Big East
Comments (5)
Great game, the catch by Wi... (Below threshold)1. Posted by john ludwig | October 2, 2003 11:56 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Great game, the catch by Winslow on 4th and 13 to save the last drive was astounding.
In addition to your comments on Miami's defense, I thought, in the first half particularly, they were very passive and lethargic. No adjustments or movement before the snap, very flat. They don't seem to be active enough, they could put more pressure on the opponent thru some activity.
1. Posted by john ludwig | October 2, 2003 11:56 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 2, 2003 23:56
2. Posted by Chris Noble | October 3, 2003 7:03 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
That was an astounding catch, but it is also one that is expected of Kellen. He's supposed to be a leader, supposed to be the man. He has to make those kind of grabs. But to be honest, I'm more impressed with the physicality he showed when the rest of the offense was flat.
After that last timeout by Miami, like Lee Corso said on SportsCenter after the game, I felt a change in Miami - and particularly Kellen's demeanor. When they broke from the sideline I knew - even with 3rd and then 4th and 13 - that they were not going to lose. Call it confidence, arrogance, swagger, or the Orange Bowl mystique, but it was there for the first time all night.
And you're right, Miami's defense was very passive. They really didn't seem to get into the game until the second quarter - Vilma was particularly guilty of this. Randy Shannon is a great coordinator, but he has got to do a better job of getting Miami's D to play within the scheme. Too often, they're out of position trying to get themselves on SportsCenter, which is why they're getting burned. Miami's D probably has more talent than the offense, but they have got to get it together a little better.
2. Posted by Chris Noble | October 3, 2003 7:03 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2003 07:03
3. Posted by Hector Vex | October 3, 2003 9:33 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Tell you what - I was pulling for West Virginia. This Miami team has gotten lazy. This isn't the Miami team we're all used to with all those records. There were untucked jerseys, playings walking slowly on field, cell phones on the sidelines...
This is a quality loss for West Virgnia. That Marshall kid at QB was amazing. Miami needs a loss to bring them back to reality. They are beginning to think that they are above it all.
But they won. Major awesome comeback. I can't wait til Winslow gets to the NFL. He's going to make a huge impact to whatever team he plays for. He's a ball magnet... in the football sense.
3. Posted by Hector Vex | October 3, 2003 9:33 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2003 09:33
4. Posted by Val Prieto | October 3, 2003 9:46 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I agree, the Canes looked like crap. I'm getting more than worried on this play like pop warner for three quarters then coming back in the forth to win the game. Seems to be their M.O. of late.
You definitely gotta hand it to the West Virginia team, they showed up to play. Up until Winslow's catch on 4th and 13, I really thought the mighty Canes were gonna lose.
4. Posted by Val Prieto | October 3, 2003 9:46 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2003 09:46
5. Posted by Chris Noble | October 3, 2003 7:26 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Hector, you were pulling for WVU?!? Be gone from this discussion you heathen! :-)
You're right, though. Miami did look, act and play sloppy. And Winslow will be a better NFL TE than Jeremy Shockey - Winslow's improvement in his blocking skills are a testament to his willingness to work on his game.
Miami has FSU coming this week. If they play like they did last night they are going to get spanked all the way back to Coral Gables.
And along with Marshall, don't forget that #9 kid A. Jones. He played a major league game for WVU last night. Defensively, he was the best player for either team last night.
5. Posted by Chris Noble | October 3, 2003 7:26 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on October 3, 2003 19:26