There’s melancholy in Miami because the mighty ‘Canes have fallen. The Ohio State Buckeyes overcame dismal play on special teams to dispatch the Miami Hurricanes by twelve points at the Horseshoe on Saturday. Ohio State defeated the depleted the 12th ranked team from the ACC on four interceptions and the hustle of quarterback, Terrelle Pryor. The Buckeye signal callers passed for 233 yards and added 113 on the ground to lead second ranked Ohio State to their second win of the season. Miami turned in a respectable defensive performance but failed to clip the home team in their first trip back to Columbus since the 2003 national championship game.
Ohio State’s special teams allowed two kickoff returns for a touchdown during the highly anticipated Saturday showdown. Devin Barclay put the Buckeyes on board in the first quarter with a 24 yard field goal. Less than twenty seconds later, Miami mowed ahead by four on the legs of kick returner, Lamar Miller. Miller raced 88 yards on the return as the speedy freshman plowed through Ohio State’s special teams unit. Matt Bosher, a Lou Groza candidate, increased Miami’s lead to 10-7 by planting a 51-yarder through the Horseshoe uprights to begin the second quarter.
DeVier Posey caught a 62 yard pass early in the second quarter to set up the Buckeyes first touchdown of the day. Brandon Saine scored on a 18 yard pass from Pryor for to tie the game on a crucial and pivotal two play drive. The Buckeyes’ defense continued to throttle Miami quarterback, Jacory Harris, and his offense. Harris finished 22-of-39 with 232 yards through the air. He managed only one touchdown, while throwing four picks. Miami was forced to punt following the Saine touchdown and Ohio State got a 41-yard field goal from Barclay to go up by three. Chimidi Chekwa intercepted Harris for Miami’s second turnover. Chekwa made the grab at the 26 yard line, putting Ohio State in favorable field position for an easy score. Dan Herron’s four yard scramble made it 20-10 in favor of the scarlet and gray.
Herron’s end zone squeeze was soon followed by another impressive Hurricane kick return. This time, the Buckeyes were burned on a 79 punt return by Travis Benjamin with three minutes remaining in the first half. Barclay and the Buckeyes would not relent and leave for intermission with only a three point advantage. The Ohio State kicker knocked two field goals of 21 and 24 yards, respectively, through the uprights to give Jim Tressel’s team a 26-17 edge headed into the locker room.
Harris orchestrated an impressive drive down the field to open the second half. Ohio State defensive end, Cameron Heyward intercepted a pass over the middle and sprinted 80 yards to the Miami 15 yard line. That was all the talented Buckeyes’ quarterback needed to give his team a 33-17 lead. Pryor’s 13 yard run completed another two play Ohio State drive five minutes into the third quarter. The 6’5” Buckeye passer punched it in after rolling right and reversing field to beat a defender. Harris tried again to lead the Hurricanes on a charge down the Horseshoe, but Miami would have to settle for a field goal attempt. Bosher’s 39 yard try was blocked as the frustrated ‘Canes surrendered the football again. The third quarter was all Ohio State. Barclay tied a school record with his fifth field goal to end the quarter with the Buckeyes on top 36-17.
The Hurricanes were finally able to cap off a drive with a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Chase Ford hauled in a Harris pass for the nine yard touchdown reception that cut the Buckeyes’ lead to twelve. But it was too late for a ‘Cane comeback in Columbus. The home team ran out the clock with seven minutes left in front of the sixth largest crowd in Ohio State history. Posey led all receivers with 105 yards. Standout senior for Miami, Leonard Hankerson, finished with seven receptions for 90 yards. Teammate and senior running back, Damien Berry, had a 90 yard rushing performance on 22 carries in the loss. But perhaps the most notable performer of the day was Pryor. The Rose Bowl MVP shook off some early inconsistencies and inaccuracies to finish the game with two touchdowns and zero interceptions. Pryor was in command of his offense and made big plays when they needed him to step up. The junior quarterback is now 21-3 as the Ohio State signal caller. I enjoyed watching this game because to me, it’s a rival game. I can hardly wait until next September when the Buckeyes travel to Miami.
Parting Points: Tough loss for Virginia Tech…not so nice finish in South Bend…painful to watch in Tuscaloosa…decimation for the ‘Noles.
The Yankees need to find a way to beat Texas…fast. Rivera blows a save?
Musician of the day- Meatloaf
Showing posts with label Miami Hurricanes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miami Hurricanes. Show all posts
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Bowling Badgers Back in Business Behind Bulldozing Back
Wisconsin was busy on the ground and efficient with the pass in Orlando’s Champs Sports Bowl Tuesday night. The Big 10 leading rusher and offensive player of the year, John Clay, accumulated 121 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead the Badgers to their tenth win of the season. Twenty-fourth ranked Wisconsin bowled over the 14th ranked Miami Hurricanes 20-14 on a cold and soggy Citrus Bowl turf. The Badgers beat Miami with a balanced offensive attack. Wisconsin quarterback, Scott Tolzien, threw a career-high 260 yards in the win. Tolzien was 19-of-26 with one interception and Clay punched out two three-yard rushing touchdowns.
The Badgers’ offensive line controlled the Miami defense early on, but struggled to contain the speedy Hurricane backfield. Junior running back, Graig Cooper, was solid for Miami in the first quarter. Cooper followed a Miami penalty with a touchdown in the first minute of the game. Sam Shields took a lateral on the opening kickoff and zipped to the Wisconsin six yard line. An illegal block cost the ‘Canes ten yards, but Cooper found the end zone as Miami jumped out to a 7-0 lead. Tolzien handed off the Clay on six of the eight plays during the Badgers’ first drive. Miami stuffed the rusher and forced Wisconsin to punt. Clay put the Badgers on the board midway through the first quarter with the first of his two rushing touchdowns. The Big 10 representatives needed just three plays to score their first seven points. Tolzien’s toss to Lance Hendricks for a 37 yard gain set up Clay’s three yard run.
The game remained tied 7-7 moving into the second quarter, when the Badger defense really started to click. The Hurricanes couldn’t piece it together on offense as Jacory Harris was continually pressured. Harris was sacked, and ‘Canes rushed for two consecutive losses on their first possession of the second quarter. Senior lineman, O’Brien Schofield, sacked Harris twice in straight possessions. Linebacker, Chris Borland, also took credit for two of Wisconsin’s five sacks. Borland was named conference freshman of the year. The once-hailed Miami quarterback looked entirely lost in Orlando against a Big 10 defense that hasn’t lived up to their primetime status as of late. Harris finished with 188 yards and completed 16-of-29 passes for 9-4 Miami. Harris was an inviting target for Wisconsin the remainder of the night.
The defense wasn’t much better for Miami in the second quarter. There were missed tackles and poor blocking by the ACC powerhouse. The Badgers thrived on running and throwing on play-action. Clay recorded seven of the ten second quarter points for Wisconsin. Philip Welch tallied the remaining three with .12 second left before the break. Welch’s kick through the uprights from 37 yards gave the Badgers a 17-7 lead heading into the halftime locker room. The Badgers came away empty on a four and a half minute drive to open the second half. Yet, Wisconsin kept grinding as the Hurricanes were spinning out of control on both ends. Miami’s meltdown wasn’t helped by an inconsistent and unproductive Harris. The ‘Canes had little success moving the ball. Harris’s longest completion was to sophomore wideout, Tommy Streeter. Streeter’s 47 yard reception in the third was his only of the game, but went for naught. Miami flopped when they went for it on fourth-and-four from the Badger 35 yard line. Wisconsin took over on downs, but also failed to score.
The fourth quarter scoring was scarce until the clock read four minutes. Welch knocked in Wisconsin’s second field goal to put the Badgers on top by 13. Welch connected from 29 yards out to provide what seemed like a commanding lead. The Hurricanes took a critical step in coming back on the ensuing possession. Harris dictated the tempo for the ‘Canes, going 79 yards on 10 plays. The result was a 14 yard touchdown pass to Thearon Collier with 1:22 left in the game. Miami was within six points of tying the score when the recovered the onside kick. Schofield sacked Harris for the third time on Miami’s own 41 yard line, and nearly threw a pick on the second play of the drive to kill the rally. The Badgers took over with .42 seconds remaining to run out the clock on the bowl game and secure their first ten win season since 2006. Wisconsin limited the dynamic Miami offense to 249 yards. Defensive end, J.J. Watt, recovered a Harris fumble, and Micanor Regis snagged an interception in the win. Montee Ball added 61 yards rushing to complement Clay’s tremendous game.
Parting Points: Song of the day- Madonna’s : “Take A Bow”.
The Badgers’ offensive line controlled the Miami defense early on, but struggled to contain the speedy Hurricane backfield. Junior running back, Graig Cooper, was solid for Miami in the first quarter. Cooper followed a Miami penalty with a touchdown in the first minute of the game. Sam Shields took a lateral on the opening kickoff and zipped to the Wisconsin six yard line. An illegal block cost the ‘Canes ten yards, but Cooper found the end zone as Miami jumped out to a 7-0 lead. Tolzien handed off the Clay on six of the eight plays during the Badgers’ first drive. Miami stuffed the rusher and forced Wisconsin to punt. Clay put the Badgers on the board midway through the first quarter with the first of his two rushing touchdowns. The Big 10 representatives needed just three plays to score their first seven points. Tolzien’s toss to Lance Hendricks for a 37 yard gain set up Clay’s three yard run.
The game remained tied 7-7 moving into the second quarter, when the Badger defense really started to click. The Hurricanes couldn’t piece it together on offense as Jacory Harris was continually pressured. Harris was sacked, and ‘Canes rushed for two consecutive losses on their first possession of the second quarter. Senior lineman, O’Brien Schofield, sacked Harris twice in straight possessions. Linebacker, Chris Borland, also took credit for two of Wisconsin’s five sacks. Borland was named conference freshman of the year. The once-hailed Miami quarterback looked entirely lost in Orlando against a Big 10 defense that hasn’t lived up to their primetime status as of late. Harris finished with 188 yards and completed 16-of-29 passes for 9-4 Miami. Harris was an inviting target for Wisconsin the remainder of the night.
The defense wasn’t much better for Miami in the second quarter. There were missed tackles and poor blocking by the ACC powerhouse. The Badgers thrived on running and throwing on play-action. Clay recorded seven of the ten second quarter points for Wisconsin. Philip Welch tallied the remaining three with .12 second left before the break. Welch’s kick through the uprights from 37 yards gave the Badgers a 17-7 lead heading into the halftime locker room. The Badgers came away empty on a four and a half minute drive to open the second half. Yet, Wisconsin kept grinding as the Hurricanes were spinning out of control on both ends. Miami’s meltdown wasn’t helped by an inconsistent and unproductive Harris. The ‘Canes had little success moving the ball. Harris’s longest completion was to sophomore wideout, Tommy Streeter. Streeter’s 47 yard reception in the third was his only of the game, but went for naught. Miami flopped when they went for it on fourth-and-four from the Badger 35 yard line. Wisconsin took over on downs, but also failed to score.
The fourth quarter scoring was scarce until the clock read four minutes. Welch knocked in Wisconsin’s second field goal to put the Badgers on top by 13. Welch connected from 29 yards out to provide what seemed like a commanding lead. The Hurricanes took a critical step in coming back on the ensuing possession. Harris dictated the tempo for the ‘Canes, going 79 yards on 10 plays. The result was a 14 yard touchdown pass to Thearon Collier with 1:22 left in the game. Miami was within six points of tying the score when the recovered the onside kick. Schofield sacked Harris for the third time on Miami’s own 41 yard line, and nearly threw a pick on the second play of the drive to kill the rally. The Badgers took over with .42 seconds remaining to run out the clock on the bowl game and secure their first ten win season since 2006. Wisconsin limited the dynamic Miami offense to 249 yards. Defensive end, J.J. Watt, recovered a Harris fumble, and Micanor Regis snagged an interception in the win. Montee Ball added 61 yards rushing to complement Clay’s tremendous game.
Parting Points: Song of the day- Madonna’s : “Take A Bow”.
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