Report Card: Florida State

Brad Kaaya hands off to Duke Johnson(Photo Credit: Associated Press)

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                  Canes Rising Contributor


Losing always hurts, but it's worse when the loss is to a rival. Saturday's 30-26 defeat at the hands of FSU was frustrating, but it wasn't the end of the world.  A significantly younger team with little depth had the defending National Champions on the ropes late in the game.  The 'Canes couldn't finish the job, but there's plenty to build upon. This game should serve as a signal that the rebuilding project is progressing, but there's significant work to be done. 


Offense


Quarterback--Brad Kaaya has been solid all season, and he was solid once again on Saturday.  Kaaya threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns, but also threw the pivotal interception.  The young quarterback locked onto receivers at times, and he wasn't accurate for a good portion of the game. James Coley didn't help Kaaya by ignoring the playaction pass in the second half, but that doesn't excuse Kaaya's shaky decision on the final drive.  That said, Miami fans have a star in the making at the most important position.  Grade: B-

Running Back--Duke Johnson takes a lot of heat from Miami fans, most of it completely undeserved.  Miami didn't lose tonight because of Duke, but Duke wasn't able to make the big play that could have gotten Miami over the hump.  Johnson rushed for 130 yards, and averaged almost 5 yards per carry, but apparently that's not good enough for a myopic fanbase.  Joe Yearby filled in while Johnson was injured and had a rough night.  Grade: B

Wide Receivers--It was a quiet night for the receivers, as they didn't see too many targets.  Philip Dorsett caught an early touchdown, but struggled in the second half.  Stacy Coley was open twice, but couldn't come up with a catch.  Braxton Berrios couldn't make a tough catch in the endzone, which was huge.  Malcolm Lewis had a solid game as a blocker, throwing some outstanding blocks on the perimeter.  This unit missed on some big opportunities, but it wasn't an awful performance. Grade: B-

Tight Ends--One can say that this position group lost this game.  Both Clive Walford and Standish Dobard had huge fumbles, potentially taking points off of the board.  Walford was the best tight end on the field, out dueling Nick O'Leary, but he fumbled after making a big play in the first quarter.   The same exact thing happened to Dobard in the 3rd quarter.  Miami couldn't afford to turn the ball over, and these two found a way to do so.  Walford's touchdown catch doesn't make up for these drive killers.  Grade: C

Offensive Line--Art Kehoe continues to be the biggest coaching surprise of the season.  This line gave Brad Kaaya plenty of time to throw, and they opened some holes for the backs.  What was really impressive is the fact that Miami was able to consistently win on 3rd and short, converting on numerous occasions.  The only time FSU could get pressure was when they overwhelmed Miami with superior numbers. Grade: B+

Defense

Defensive Line--FSU has a mediocre O-Line, and the 'Canes still couldn't get pressure on Jameis Winston.  The only time the 'Canes were able to get to Winston is when Mark D'Onofrio sent pressure from the second level.  Ufomba Kamalu struggled, as he was manhandled by tight end Nick O'Leary. The inability of Kamalu to beat a tight end is a damning indictment on Jethro Franklin's lack of coaching acumen.  Enough is enough. This unit may not have overwhelming talent, but the fact that this line is so awful in regards to hand placement, and rush moves shows that they aren't being coached.    Grade: D

Linebackers--Jermaine Grace has officially arrived.  Grace, a highly recruited player is finally coming into his own as he dominated the game from the second level  Denzel Perryman had his usual big time tackles, and was a force in the middle.  The linebackers were everywhere, they were active, and Mark D'Onofrio used them in a variety of blitz packages.  Perryman will leave after this season, but fans should rest easy knowing Grace will fill his shoes.  Grade: B+

Secondary--This unit could have used Rayshawn Jenkins Saturday night, because Nantambu Fentress struggled.  Fentress is a gritty, tough player who isn't afraid to get active, but he lacks the athleticism to play against elite teams.  FSU's Dalvin Cook pulled a number on Fentress early in the game and it didn't get better for the former walk-on.  Artie Burns and Corn Elder did a good job of keeping Rashad Greene from being a factor as he only could garner 4 receptions.  The player who had the best game was Deon Bush, who made an breathtaking catch on an errant Jameis Winston pass late in the 1st half.  This unit limited Jameis Winston, despite not getting much help from the D-Line but Fentress' play is a sore point.  Grade: B

Special Teams

In the Miami/FSU rivalry, points are hard to come by, and not taking advantage of opportunities usually leads to defeat.  Having a PAT blocked, and missing a short field goal was the difference in the game.  Yes, Michael Badgley made some field goals, including two from 40+, but that doesn't change the facts.  Had Badgley made that one short field goal, Miami would have only been down by a single point late in the football game.  In that case, a field goal wins it, and everything changes.  Badgley isn't responsible for the blocked kick, that was just awful protection.  Justin Vogel only had 3 punts, and wasn't a factor.   Grade: C-

Coaching

Offense--In the first half, James Coley's offense dominated, scoring at will and gaining yards in bunches.  In the second half, Miami went away from some things that were working and chose to be conservative.  The rationale behind the strategy was sound: keep the clock moving while forcing FSU to stop the run, something they've been unable to do all season.  The problem with the strategy was that it didn't allow Miami to take advantage of FSU when they brought their safeties up, and made adjustments.  The lack of playaction passes in the second half, when FSU was daring Miami to take a chance was troubling.  What was even more troubling was the inability to get plays off on time.  Yes, FSU made multiple defensive shifts before the snap, but Miami should be able to adjust, and not looked rushed in the process. Coley left the defense on an island due to his play calls late in the game.  On a 3rd and long, with the defense obviously out of gas, Coley chose to call a tailback screen, instead of taking a shot down field.  An elite coordinator understands the situation, and understands his personnel.  Even if Kaaya throws an interception in that situation, it's far better than calling a play that had a low probability of success.  Odds are that it's an incomplete pass, maybe there's pass interference, but take a chance.  While fans are once again calling for Coley's head, it's obvious that the offensive gameplan was sound and it should have worked.  The problem was that Coley bailed on what was working.  Grade: C

Defense--In the "Keys To Victory" article, I mentioned that Miami had nothing to lose, and should play that way.  Mark D'Onofrio must be a fan of Canes Rising, because the 'Canes played with reckless abandon all night.  The embattled defensive coordinator called a variety of blitzes, Miami rarely sat in a base defense, choosing to have four down linemen on most plays.  One play that stood out was a delayed blitz in the 3rd quarter that led to a sack of Jameis Winston.  While this unit eventually ran out of gas, they looked well coached, and executed the game plan to perfection.  The one problem with the game plan was the fact that it called for Nantambu Fentress to play significant snaps.  D'Onofrio should have noted that Fentress just couldn't compete, and gone  to Jamal Carter.  Carter may not have the football I.Q. of  Fentress, but his athleticism easily makes up for that shortcoming.  Overall, it was a good game for the defense, and it showed that the aggressive play calling is here to stay.  Grade: B-

Report Card: Virginia Tech

Gus Edwards (Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated)

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                  Canes Rising Contributor

There's nothing more satisfying than a dominating win over a rival.  The 'Canes accomplished that Thursday night, crushing Virginia Tech 30-6.  While this isn't the best team Frank Beamer has trotted out, this win was one of the best performances of the Golden era.  It was a team effort, with the 'Canes dominating in all facets. 



Offense

Quarterback--Brad Kaaya wasn't asked to do much, but he did manage the game well.  Kaaya didn't turn the ball over, he didn't force throws, and he kept the Miami offense on schedule. While Kaaya's statistics aren't impressive, he made all the proper pre-snap adjustments.   Kaaya's best throw was early in the game when he withstood a heavy rush, and found Duke Johnson on 3rd down.  Those are the kind of throws that prove that this young man has a bright future ahead of him.   This won't go down as an outstanding performance, but he did what he was asked to do.  Grade:B

Running Backs--What a night for this unit.  Duke Johnson may have made himself a 2nd round draft pick with this performance, as he ran over, through and around the befuddled Hokies.  The Duke rushed for 249 yards, a career high.  Johnson wasn't the only person to run roughshod in Blacksburg.  Gus Edwards was also dominant, rushing for 115 yards, with 2 touchdowns. Edwards, who has been inconsistent stepped up, and finally showed some flashes.  He still runs a little too high, but he ran with power between the tackles, breaking tackles on numerous runs.   This was an outstanding performance, the best of the season from this unit.  Grade: A

Wide Receivers--Like Brad Kaaya, this unit wasn't asked to do much, making it hard to draw concrete conclusions.  Stacy Coley continues to struggle, and looks like a player who has no business being on the field.  Philip Dorsett missed out on a big play, by failing to notice that the football was right in front of him.  That said, the receivers blocked for Duke Johnson and Gus Edwards, which is something that has been missing all season.  Grade: B-

Tight Ends--Clive Walford didn't make a reception, but proved to be valuable in the running game.  Duke and Gus were untouched for most of the night, some of that is due to Clive having a great night as an in-line blocker.  This wasn't a flashy performance, but it was a solid, efficient one.  Grade: B

Offensive Line--For a team to rush for 364 yards and average 6.9 yards per carry, the offensive line has to be involved.  Virginia Tech is thin on the defensive line, but that shouldn't take anything away from what this O-Line did Thursday.  Art Kehoe's unit crushed the Hokies, running backs were rarely challenged at the line of scrimmage, and Brad Kaaya was untouched for most of the evening.  Quality of opponent should come into play, but this type of dominance doesn't happen often.  Grade: A

Defense

Defensive Line--While the 'Canes can't get pressure with only three down linemen, this unit wasn't the sieve of previous weeks.  Tech quarterback Michael Brewer was forced from the pocket on numerous occasions with Anthony Chickillo being a constant pursuer.  Michael Wyche, long a non factor was finally active on Thursday, and showed that he will be a player, once his conditioning issues are corrected.  This unit has talent, but lacks the depth to be a consistent force.  Grade: B-

Linebackers--This unit stood out all night.  Defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio finally allowed these young men to play with reckless abandon.  Raphael Kirby and Jermaine Grace were active, thanks to an array of blitz packages.  Thurston Armbrister and Denzel Perryman continued to impress, with Armbrister spending most of the night in the Hokie backfield.  This unit has rarely played this well during the Golden era, and fans should expect this unit to consistently play at this level, provided D'Onofrio puts them in position to succeed.  Grade: B+

Secondary--When your front 7 performs well, the secondary should be able to execute.  That's exactly what happened Thursday night.  Michael Brewer didn't have time to throw, and he didn't find open receivers when he did.  When receivers did get receptions, tackles were immediate, and sure.  Artie Burns continues to improve each and every week, along with Corn Elder.  Virginia Tech is awful offensively, but to limit any team to 142 yards passing is an accomplishment.  This unit benefited from a well executed game plan, and did outstanding work.  The question is whether this unit can continue to improve over the long term.  Grade: A-

Coaching

Offense--In a previous article, I mentioned that James Coley needed to grasp the obvious.  Last night, he grasped the obvious, and he didn't let go until the final whistle.  Virginia Tech has not stopped the run all season, and Coley exploited that.  Duke Johnson, and Gus Edwards were allowed to dominate the game, and Brad Kaaya was a peripheral figure.  The only problem with Coley's gameplan was his over -reliance on the wildcat formation.  The formation is effective when run in certain situations, but when your offensive line is dominating at the line of scrimmage, it's better to stick with what is working. Coley also has to understand his personnel, and when to substitute.  There's no reason why Duke Johnson should have been allowed to play once this game was safely in hand.  He's the most dynamic weapon this team has, he shouldn't be in the game during routs.    This is something that has to be addressed, and corrected.  Grade: B+

Defense--It looks like Mark D'Onofrio finally took the training wheels off of this defense.  D'Onofrio called one of his better games, and allowed this team to play winning football.  Yes, Tech is awful, but this defense dominated from beginning to end.  For the first time this season, D'Onofrio's blitz packages actually reached the quarterback, the blitz packages actually involved multiple levels of pressure, and the packages were used in high risk situations. What Miami fans were treated to on Thursday is what proponents of this system have been expecting for years.  The multiple front 3-4 can be highly disruptive, and can be exciting to watch, when it's managed properly.  For one of the few times in his Miami career, D'Onofrio managed the scheme and his players properly.  One wonders if he can manage it correctly for the remainder of the season.  Rumor has it that Al Golden was heavily involved in this game plan, a drastic change from previous weeks.  If so, then this should become standard operating procedure, because this defense wasn't dreadful.  Grade: A-

Mid-Season Report Card: Defense/Special Teams

There's been little to celebrate for Denzel Perryman and the rest of the Miami Defense(Photo Credit: Miami Herald)

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                  Canes Rising Contributor

When most people think of Miami Defense, they think of a fast, aggressive defense that overwhelms opposing offenses .  During the tenure of Al Golden, the defense has rarely been aggressive, and usually underwhelming.  This season was seen as a key season for Golden's scheme, and defensive coordinator Mark D'Onofrio.  So far, the defense has struggled. 

Defense

Defensive Line--The "Flex 34" is a scheme that centers around the defensive line.  The D-Line is supposed to create enough havoc to where the linebackers can flow unimpeded to the football. In an ideal situation, the defensive coordinator shouldn't have to rely on blitzes in order to create pressure on the quarterback.  That hasn't been the case this season for the 'Canes, as this unit has struggled mightily.  There's been very few games in which the defensive front dominated the opposition.  Calvin Heurtelou and Courtel Jenkins have been inconsistent, with Heurtelou wearing down late in games, due to overuse.  Michael Wyche has been a total disappointment, he hasn't played much, and continues to struggle with conditioning. Olsen Pierre has made some outstanding individual plays, but those have been few and far between.    Anthony Chickillo lacks the top end talent to carry this unit,  but he has been a force at times.  The problems with this unit can only be fixed by recruiting large numbers of defensive linemen, and allowing them to develop. D-Line coach Jethro Franklin should be on the hot seat, this unit hasn't developed during his tenure.    Grade: D

Linebackers--It's a shame that Denzel Perryman hasn't gotten a chance to play with linebackers that match his talent and desire.  Perryman is the heart and soul of this unit, and he's done everything he can to carry this group.  For the first time, he has some help, as Thurston Armbrister has emerged as a player.  Armbrister, who was once seen as a liability, has become a steady player, a player who is good against the run, and can create pressure on the edge.  The loss of Jawand Blue, and Alex Figueroa during fall camp forced Raphael Kirby and Jermaine Grace into the fray and they've been inconsistent. Tyriq McCord is an impressive physical specimen, but his play on the field hasn't matched his talent.  Some of McCord's ineffectiveness can be attributed to Mark D'Onofrio, but McCord should be better than this, even if he is limited.    This unit should be better than what the stats indicate, but it's hard to expect a group of linebackers to be dominant, when the defensive line hangs them out to dry.  Grade: C+

Secondary--Coming into this season, the secondary was seen as an outstanding collection of young talent.  That assessment has been true at times, but this unit has also been wildly inconsistent, and disappointing at times as well. Last season,   Tracy Howard looked like a player who was ready to take a great leap forward.  That leap forward has become a huge leap backward, as Howard has been almost useless in coverage, and an unwilling tackler.  Tracy has been passed on the depth chart by Corn Elder, a two sport athlete who has future star written all over him.  Elder has been teamed up with Artie Burns, and these two are the nucleus of the secondary.  Burns, a physical corner has turned the corner, and is starting to look like someone who will play on Sundays.  While the corner backs have developed nicely, the safeties haven't.  Dallas Crawford hasn't been the impact player he was expected to be, and Deon Bush has been unable to cover anyone.  Jamal Carter has the talent, but looks hesitant and unsure of himself.  He has shown immense potential, and will be a player once he gains experience.  Former walk-on Nantambu Fentress is an active player, but he lacks the top end size and speed needed to be a consistent contributor.  This unit has talent, it has shown flashes, but the consistency hasn't been there.  Grade: C

Special Teams

Kicker/Punter--Michael Badgley has stepped into the fray, and done a solid job.  Badgley isn't the most accurate, but he has a strong leg, and has been able to make some kicks. With Matt Goudis being unable to participate, Badgley has been an acceptable alternative.    He hasn't been tested in a late game situation, but there's no reason to believe that he can't come through if called upon.  Justin Vogel has been steady at punter, averaging over 44 yards per punt, and landing 13 of his 28 kicks inside the 20 yard line. Vogel has also been a weapon on kickoffs, with most of his kicks being touchbacks.  While not superstars, these two have done their jobs, and haven't been an issue.  Grade: B

Punt/Kickoff Returners--Miami fans came into the season expecting explosive return units, and that hasn't been the case.  Stacy Coley is averaging 9 yards per punt return, but he's been very hesistent, and he hasn't looked like the dangerous returner he once was.  Kickoffs is much of the same as Coley has missed multiple opportunities to break returns, which is something that rarely happened last season.  Braxton Berrios has been asked to return punts, but he lacks the quickness to be a difference maker at the position.  Fans should look for Trayone Gray to surface at the position.  Grade: B-

Punt/Kickoff Coverage--Minus one awful play against Louisville, these units have been solid.  Tackling has steadily improved, and the players have done a great job of staying in their lanes.  Grade: B

Mid-Season Report Card: Offense

Brad Kaaya(15)(Photo Credit: Miami Herald)

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                 Canes Rising Contributor

We're at the halfway point of the 2014 season, and the 'Canes are struggling to stay in the ACC Coastal division race.  Coming into this season, there were some major questions, and some major concerns about the program, and about Al Golden's leadership. Some of those questions have been answered, and some of those answers aren't good.  However, there's been some bright spots for the 'Canes, including the unexpected emergence of quarterback Brad Kaaya.


Offense

Quarterback--When Brad Kaaya was named the starting quarterback, many fans had doubts that a true freshman could be successful.  Kaaya has proven those doubters wrong, having an outstanding first half.  Brad has gone from a player who looked over matched against Louisville to a player who shredded Nebraska in front of 87,000 rabid fans.  Kaaya leads all the ACC in passing yards, and touchdown passes.  While Kaaya continues to struggle with his decision making, he has shown more than enough to justify the staff's faith in him.  There isn't a throw he can't make, and he has taken command of the offense.  For the first time since Brock Berlin, the 'Canes have a difference maker at quarterback.  Grade: B+

Running Backs--Duke Johnson won't win the Heisman this year, but he's been outstanding so far this season.  Duke has run for 787 yards, averaging over 7 yards per carry with 6 touchdown jaunts.  Duke has found a way to stay productive, even with defenses making him their top priority.  He's improved in many areas, including pass protection. The one area that Duke continues to struggle is ball security, he had a crucial fumble during the Nebraska game, which was the turning point in that defeat. True freshman Joe Yearby has emerged as a nice complement to Duke, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.  Gus Edwards has struggled with consistency, leading to him being a bit player.  This unit not only contains Miami's best offensive player in Johnson, but an emerging star in Yearby.  Grade: B

Wide Receivers--This position was supposed to be the strongest offensive position group, and it hasn't disappointed, even though individual players haven't lived up to their potential.  Stacy Coley was expected to be a star, a potential All-American, that hasn't happened so far with him being a non-factor this year.  Despite the struggles of Coley, this unit has been very good.  Philip Dorsett has emerged as a big play threat, averaging over 34 yards per reception.  Braxton Berrios has been a consistent player, and a favored target on 3rd down.  Malcolm Lewis is fully healthy again, and he's been a consistent contributor.  The one player who has been a pleasant surprise is Herb Waters.  Grade: B

Tight Ends--For years, Miami ignored this position, but that's changed.  Clive Walford is the leading receiver on this team, and rightfully so.  Walford has come a long way from the error prone player he once was, and has become an outstanding outlet for Brad Kaaya.  Walford's size and speed creates issues for opposing coaches, and James Coley has found a way to get him involved.  With few opportunities to shine, Standish Dobard has been a solid blocker.    Grade: B+

Offensive Line--It's been a slow, steady progression for the O-Line.  Against Louisville, this unit looked lost, they looked like a unit that would be unable to do much of anything, but they have improved by leaps and bounds from that point.  Players that were once seen as liabilities have become contributors, and players who were expected to be standouts have lived up to the hype.  This unit has been ravaged by injuries, but Art Kehoe has found a way to keep this unit functional, and  performing at an acceptable level.  Depth will be a major issue in the 2nd half of the season, but fans should expect continued improvement.  Grade: B

Report Card: Duke

Joseph Yearby breaks a tackle (Photo Credit: Associated Press)

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                Canes Rising Contributor

It was a solid win for the 'Canes on Saturday night.  While some still see Duke as a laughingstock, this team isn't anywhere near the joke they were 10 years ago. This win isn't a program defining victory, but a step in the right direction. With the win over Duke, the 'Canes are still alive in the Coastal and a favorite to play in the ACC Championship. 


Offense

Quarterback: Brad Kaaya continues to improve, having his first game without an interception.  Kaaya wasn't as sharp as he was last week, but he didn't force the action and made some impressive throws.  It's apparent to anyone who watches this young man that he has tremendous arm talent, and can make all the throws required.  Kaaya did take a couple of hits due to him holding onto the ball for extended periods, which is something to watch.  Kaaya will be expected to improve in the coming weeks, and there's no reason to believe that he won't.  Grade: B-

Running Backs: Duke Johnson didn't look fully healthy, yet he was still the best athlete on the field Saturday night.  Duke ran for 155 yards, averaging over 6 yards per carry.  His power continues to impress, but fans should keep a close eye on Duke's carries.  It's time that Joe Yearby sees more playing time, because Duke needs extended rest, he can't carry the mail alone.  Yearby finally flashed the skills that made him a big time recruit.  He has tremendous speed, and he can make things happen in multiple areas.  At this point, he's a better player than Gus Edwards, who continues to struggle.  Edwards refuses to become the power back that he was projected to be, and continues to be maddeningly inconsistent.  His fumble late in the game was a microcosm of what is quickly becoming a disappointing career.  Grade: A-

Wide Receivers: Another solid performance from this group.  Blocking continues to be an issue, so much that a simple bubble screen becomes an exercise in futility.  Stacy Coley continues to be a non-factor, showing none of the skills he showed in his freshman season.  Coley needs to step up if the 'Canes want to have an explosive passing game, but this may be an example of a player who doesn't have the drive to improve himself, as his most recent weight room numbers indicate.  Herb Waters was the leading receiver this week, and continues to be a player to watch.  Braxton Berrios is becoming a fan favorite, even though he only had one catch this week.  Berrios' role should grow, especially with the emphasis on the pass in future weeks. Malcolm Lewis is the most consistent player at this position, and will continue to see a lot of targets.   Grade: B-

Tight Ends: Clive Walford has come a long way from the error prone player he once was.  Walford has slowly become the most reliable receiver on the team, catching almost everything thrown his way.  Walford didn't see as many targets as he did last week, but that was a result of Miami not running as much play-action, and an  over-reliance on 5 receiver sets.  Walford will find his way back to the top of the play chart as the schedule gets tougher.  Standish Dobard was a solid blocker this week, he didn't have any catches.  This unit has been a pleasant surprise all season.  Grade: B

Offensive Line: The best performance of the season.  Brad Kaaya rarely had to deal with pressure, and Duke Johnson ran untouched into the second level all night long.  The problem wasn't winning the battle in the trenches, it was keeping these young men healthy.  Both Taylor Gadbois and K.C. McDermott left the game with injuries.  This unit isn't deep, so the 'Canes can't afford to lose anyone for an extended period.  Gadbois has steadily improved, the 'Canes definitely can't afford to lose him.  Art Kehoe deserves some credit for this unit's improvement.  Grade: B+


Defense


Defensive Line: Again, this unit didn't put any pressure on the quarterback.  However, this unit was bailed out by an assortment of blitzes, which helped to open things up.  This unit continues to be plagued by the lack of consistent push in the middle, and the inability of Michael Wyche to consistently contribute.  This week, the unit was schemed around, but that can't happen every week.  This unit will have to be far better if the 'Canes are to defeat Georgia Tech.  Grade: C-

Linebackers: This unit was everywhere, making tackles in bunches. Denzel Perryman rebounded from last week, picking off a pass late.  He also dropped another sure interception, then drew a penalty for doing punishment push-ups after the drop.  Perryman wasn't the only 'backer who had a huge game.  Darrion Owens, and Jermaine Grace played well, with Grace having the best performance of his young career.  Thurston Armbrister continues to impress, but he has to become a better blitzer.  Armbrister rarely gets to the quarterback, due to him not having the speed to get around the corner.  Overall this unit was active, and did what was asked.  Grade: B

Secondary: It took 5 weeks, but this unit finally showed up and played a complete game.  This unit finally decided to tackle, and with the exception of Deon Bush, did an excellent job of stopping receivers immediately.  Bush continues to struggle, choosing to go for big hits instead of the sure tackle.  Nantambu Fentress continues to be an under-appreciated member of this program, coming up big on multiple occasions.  The light may have finally turned on for Artie Burns and he's looking like a player that teams need to think about.  Burns' athletic ability, and length are great weapons, if he can become a consistent player, watch out. Ladarius Gunter had an excellent interception, and did an outstanding job of taking Duke receiver Jamison Crowder out of the game.  Crowder only had 47 yards on the night, far below his season average.   This unit forced Anthony Boone into some awful throws, and anytime a secondary can force a quarterback to complete less than 50% of their passes, it's an outstanding performance.  Grade: B+


Coaching 

Offense: James Coley called a solid game, albeit with some questionable decisions.  The reliance on bubble screens, even though the 'Canes have shown zero ability to block on the perimeter is troubling.  Duke Johnson and Joe Yearby could have run for over 150 yards each, if Coley would have maximized the running game.  It was obvious that Duke was getting whipped up front, why reinvent the wheel? It should have been obvious to Coley that Kaaya wasn't sharp, and that the passing game wasn't where it was last week.  Sometimes, a coordinator has to force their opposing number to adjust.  This game most likely would have ended in a blowout had Coley not gone away from the run game.  Grade: B-

Defense: This is more like it.  During the first three weeks of the season, fans were treated to an aggressive defense that looked nothing like the passive units of previous seasons.  Against Nebraska, the unit looked passive, and adjustments were few and far between.  While Duke doesn't have Nebraska's talent, or scheme, it's still a solid offense.  The defense dominated this game, stopping Duke throughout.  It remains to be seen whether this unit can be this solid over the long haul, but this was a solid step forward.  Grade: B

Report Card: Nebraska

Clive Walford (Photo Credit: USA Today)

Written By: Nathan Skinner
                 Canes Rising Contributor


It was a tough night for the 'Canes, a night that showed that the 'Canes still have plenty of work to do. While it was a very disappointing loss, fans should not feel that the season is over.  The 'Canes are still contenders in the Coastal division, and can still end up playing for the ACC title.  However, this team has to improve in many areas if they want to punch a ticket to Charlotte. 


Offense


Quarterback--It's safe to say the 'Canes have something special in Brad Kaaya.  In his second road start, against a traditional power, with 90,000 on his back, Kaaya was poised, and confident.  He was given a chance to make plays, and he made them, having the best game of his young career. While his numbers were solid, his performance went beyond what was on the stats page.  He looked to have a solid grasp of the offense, and looked to be an emerging leader. The fact that his offensive line was willing to risk ejection to defend him is a great sign.  He had a couple of mistakes,  but they are easily correctable. If Kaaya can continue to develop at this pace, Miami will have their best quarterback since Ken Dorsey.  Grade: B+

Running Backs--Nebraska's entire defensive game plan revolved around stopping Duke Johnson, and they partially succeeded.  Duke had to grind but he averaged over 5 yards per carry.  Duke's 3rd quarter fumble was a turning point, which casts a pall over what was a solid game.  He has to learn that he can't break free on every play, and that discretion is the better part of valor. Gus Edwards ran with power on a couple of runs, it's time to increase his workload.  Joe Yearby wasn't a factor until late, when the game was out of reach.   Grade: B-

Wide Receivers: This unit continues to struggle with blocking on the perimeter, especially on bubble screens. The 'Canes missed on a couple of huge plays because this unit cannot successfully execute a block in the open field.  Some receivers stood out, especially Malcolm Lewis.  Lewis, who has struggled to return from a horrific ankle injury, has finally turned the corner, making a great touchdown catch.  He's still not as quick as he once was but he has good hands and is always where he should be.  Another player who had a good game was Braxton Berrios, who atoned for an early drop by catching a touchdown pass late.  Stacy Coley continues to be a non-factor,  only catching 3 passes for a total of 22 yards.  Coley's performance is shocking and leads one to believe that he's not fully healthy.  His inability to get involved limits this unit.  Grade: B

Tight Ends: During the previous two seasons, it's been noted that Clive Walford has been underutilized.  That changed on Saturday.  Clive is a match-up nightmare, and he was everywhere against the Huskers.  He was the deadliest threat in the passing game, and showed why he should see far more targets as the season progresses. Standish Dobard also had a solid game, especially in the run game, throwing key blocks.  This was the best that this unit has looked all season.  Grade: B+

Offensive Line: The big uglies gave Brad Kaaya plenty of time to throw, and effectively shut down defensive end Randy Gregory.  The unit struggled in the run game, but Duke Johnson still had some holes to run through.  What really stood out was the nastiness, and the fight in this unit.  This unit stood up for Brad Kaaya, and they were willing to risk ejection to protect their leader.  That anger needs to be carried into future weeks  This unit cannot lose their composure like that again, but they need to find a way to use that anger to their advantage. Grade: B


Defense

Defensive Line:  Awful.  Just flat awful.  This game came down to a simple statement: The 'Canes could not penetrate the Nebraska backfield.  This unit did nothing to help the defense, with the defensive tackles consistently blown off the ball.  The fact that Miami didn't have one tackle for loss, even though Nebraska ran the football 54 times is a testament to how little this unit accomplished.  Where is Michael Wyche? Calvin Heurtelou struggled as well, with Courtel Jenkins being the one bright spot on a couple of plays, creating opportunities for the 'backers.  While there's plenty of blame to go around for this loss, this unit should get the majority of it.  Grade: D-

Linebackers: It's hard to criticize this unit, due to the fact that they were set up to fail.  That said, it's also hard to overlook how sloppy the tackling was.  This unit allowed Ameer Abdullah to gain extra yards, merely by not wrapping up and finishing tackles.  Yes, this unit had to fight off of offensive linemen which is a tall task for any linebacker, but even if they accomplished that, they were more likely to miss the tackle than make the play.  That is unacceptable, and needs to be corrected.  Denzel Perryman was nicked up early in the game, which truly crippled this unit.  There weren't any standout performances, just missed opportunities.  Thurston Armbrister continues to improve, which is a major development.  Grade: C-

Secondary: Awful game from what was projected to be the best unit on the defense.  While Nebraska rarely passes, and quarterback Tommy Armstrong is a mediocre passer, this unit didn't provide any help in defending the Nebraska option.  The secondary was the last line of defense and frequently did not make tackles.  On far too many occasions, members of the secondary went for the strip instead of making a sure tackle, which allowed Abdullah to gain extra yards.  These "hidden" yards allowed a limited Nebraska team to have manageable 2nd and 3rd downs.  With the issues in the front 7, the safeties had to be active in the run game.  They were not.  The only bright spot was Nantambu Fentress, the one safety who was heavily involved.  Grade: D


Special Teams--It was a light night for the special teams.  Justin Vogel only had one punt, and Michael Badgley was perfect on the evening.  This game didn't turn on a special teams play, and the coverage units were solid.  Grade: B

 Coaching 

Offense

James Coley did an excellent job with his gameplan.  Brad Kaaya was finally given a chance to succeed, and he ran with the opportunity.  While Coley did get predictable in the second half, his thought patterns were sound, and it did look like adjustments were made as Nebraska attempted to put pressure on Kaaya.  Where Coley did fail was in his management of 3rd down situations.  To go conservative on  3rd and long, and run a draw play inside the red zone was a disappointing development.   When you have a hot passer against a team that has shown little ability to stop the pass, a draw play is the last play that should be considered.  Grade: B

Defense

The heat is officially on Mark D'Onofrio.  While this scheme is predicated on having good line play, there has to be a way to support the run when the line cannot get penetration.  The inability of this defense to consistently tackle was a major factor in this game.  Tackling needs to be emphasized, especially in the secondary.  This defense, which looked solid against Louisville, looked overmatched against Nebraska.  Is it a matter of Nebraska being a team whose scheme exposes Miami's limited defensive line, or is it a deeper issue? That remains to be seen.  The fact remains that this defense looked awful on Saturday, and fans have lost faith in the scheme and the man who is responsible for managing it.  Grade: D