Steve Kim: Back to the Scene of the Crime

Published Nov 9, 2005

Back to the Scene of the Crime

It was nearly two years ago to the day that Miami came into Blacksburg in 2003 to face a wounded Virginia Tech Hokie squad that had taken a whipping a week before at the hands of West Virginia. Going into that contest, UM was ranked second in the nation and Larry Coker's record as the Hurricanes? head man was a sparkling 31-1.

But on that frosty night, with a bushel full of Brock Berlin interceptions, Miami would fall 31-7. And the Miami mojo hadn't been quite the same since.

They would lose their second consecutive game the next week at home against Tennessee. But they would right the ship to win in the Big East and finish in the top five nationally. But in 2004, they would again suffer stunning back-to-back losses against North Carolina and Clemson in midseason. But they still had an opportunity to go BCS bowlin' if they could beat Virginia Tech in the season finale. But again, they would fall short against 'Beamer Ball,' losing by a score of 16-10 at the Orange Bowl.

Hokie players would celebrate their Sugar Bowl berth by pouring C&H all over the Canes home turf. Insult was added to injury in Miami's inaugural run in the ACC. It was the second home loss of the season, the third in two years. Blasphemy.

Kicking off 2005, Miami would outplay archrival FSU, yet somehow lose that game in Tallahassee on Labor Day night. It would mark their sixth loss in their last 19 games. Decidedly unMiami-like.

Had 'The U' taken a U-turn?

UM would rebound with six consecutive wins and eventually climb back to number five in the BCS ratings going in to face the third-ranked Hokies last weekend. The Canes were listed as six-point dogs by Vegas but around the country they got the Rodney Dangerfield treatment.

Reading Dennis Dodd and the ilk, you would've thought it was Miami of Ohio going into Lane Stadium. Make no mistake about it: the Canes were backed up against the wall. But for once, coming into a game in this rivalry, the pressure may have actually been on the Hokies.

And they reacted to a Hurricane on Saturday night about as well as Michael Brown and FEMA did in August. With waves upon waves of defenders coming at him, Hokie prodigy Marcus Vick must have thought he was buried underneath an avalanche, as all-white clad Cane defenders would force him to cough up the ball six times en route to a 27-7 Miami victory - a score which was not indicative of just how badly Miami dominated the game.

Lane Stadium was thunderous as the Hokies came onto the field with the sounds of Metallica blaring ?Enter Sandman.? By the time it was 27-0 in the third quarter (thanks to a TD from the Miami defense) it was as quiet as a church. They didn't just re-establish themselves as the ACC's bully by taking VT?s lunch money; they took their signature lunch pail with them. Car keys that were usually jingled by the Hokie faithful as noise-makers in the fourth quarter were being turned in the ignition of their cars to beat the traffic out of town.

It was the most complete performance by a Hurricane team under the direction of Coker. Steady, secure offense, stifling defense and sound special teams play. Yes, and that counts his legendary 2001 squad that he inherited that included superstars like Ed Reed, Bryant McKinnie, Clinton Portis and Ken Dorsey. This edition of the Canes is a much more anonymous group, so much so that Shannon himself has dubbed his unit the second 'No Name' defense to play in the city of Miami.

The offense, which is still a work in progress, did a nice job in moving the chains, controlling the clock and maintaining field position. Kyle Wright, while still a bit inconsistent, is becoming a premiere signal caller - one that can guide teams to big wins like this one. He would bravely get off the canvas after being sent to the sidelines by Darryl Tapp in the first half with a jarring hit.

He would join Tyrone Moss and then later, Devin Hester, as part of the UM walking wounded. Three key players out of action in the first half. Yet, Miami found a way in hostile conditions.

Great programs do that.

And they do it by being passionate, having a sense of urgency and displaying attention to detail. And they certainly don't do it by being 'businesslike,' which unfortunately had become a mantra for the Coker-led Canes of the past few years. Sorry, but you don't bring a briefcase to play football, you bring your passion and enthusiasm.

It was evident that Miami had both in abundance on this night. But the turnaround may have come the week before as they trudged through a horrible first half against the Tar Heels that saw them losing to UNC by a score of 16-7 at the half. Bottom line, they were listless, devoid of energy and were out-hit by the very same team that had embarrassed them last season.

But as they dominated the second half of the Carolina game behind the legs of Moss and a rabid defense, you saw something else emerge that you hadn't seen for awhile in Coral Gables.

Actual emotion. Raw energy. Dancing. Celebrating. A bit of taunting.

Yeah, some may like 'classy,' but 'Hurricane football' has always been about playing with an edge, intimidation and swagger. As you saw Miami players egg the crowd on during pregame warm-ups and then carry that emotion into the game, it hearkened back to the days when Miami forged their 'road warrior' reputation.

Once again, finally, it was a 'Cane thing.'

Miami would control the game from the onset. The deep Hurricane front line led by Orien Harris, Kareem Brown and Baraka Atkins would harass Vick all night up the middle and Javon Nanton and Vegas Franklin would come off the edge and pressure Vick relentlessly. Linebackers Rocky McIntosh and Jon Beason would run free all night making plays and behind them, Kelly Jennings and Marcus Maxey provided air-tight coverage throughout.

All that should come as no surprise, given that these supposed 'no names' are the nation?s top unit. For the sixth straight game, they held the opposition to under 200 yards of total offense. Defensive Coordinator Randy Shannon may not be long for Coral Gables, unfortunately. You have to believe his name will be on a lot of Athletic Directors? short lists in the off-season across the nation.

The real surprise was the offensive line. The same unit that nearly ended Wright's career in the season opener by giving up nine sacks was sturdy in containing Tapp and Jonathan Lewis. Even with Moss hobbled, Charlie Jones was able to pick up consistent yardage and Wright looked more and more comfortable in the pocket as the night wore on.

This unit, which was anchored by Eric Winston - who is playing perhaps the best football of his career - didn't just rebuild their rep, but also Art Kehoe's, the beleaguered offensive line coach, who is a UM institution. A line that was horrid, then mediocre, then average, is now an actual asset; one that can open up holes and provide a pass pocket.

As Kehoe would say, they were tougher, they punched them in the mouth, got down and dirty and came out of the dark alley alive. They were flat out better.

In the latest BCS poll Miami was listed at four, behind USC, Texas and Alabama. You get the sense that barring a huge upset or two, this Miami team will end up a lot like the 2000 edition that closed strongly down the stretch after faltering early, and will be on the outside looking in at the national championship game. To follow the parallel, they would also set the stage for a national title the next year.

The Va. Tech win was more than about just one game, it was the type of program-defining win that Coker needed. And it was the type of conquest that can set off another run of dominant football that can have Miami challenging for college football?s throne that is currently occupied by USC. Just a few years ago it was Miami in that spot. It shows you how quickly things can change in this sport.

But it's victories like the one against the 'Noles in 2000 and the one this past weekend, that trigger such streaks. Miami may have gone back to the same place where their last run of dominance ended, to begin another era of it.

That possibility makes the upcoming trio of games against Wake Forest, Georgia Tech and Virginia equally as important as the Virginia Tech game. A lot of programs can get up for the big ones, but the truly elite teams take care of business week in and week out.

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