Game Preview: Miami Hurricanes vs. Virginia Cavaliers
Forget and Overcome
The last vision Miami Hurricanes fans remember from Saturday is Brad Kaaya’s pass falling into the hands of Florida State’s DB Jalen Ramsey, who sealed the comeback victory for the Florida State Seminoles. After the gut wrenching loss to Florida State, the Miami Hurricanes look to rebound this weekend when they play the Virginia Cavaliers in Charlottesville, Saturday Night at 7 ET on ESPN2. The past week has been filled with optimism and criticism of the program following the 3o-26 loss to Florida State. Some think Al Golden has turned this program around and is now headed into the right direction, and that the team is playing the best football they have had all year — well at least the players do. The only way to prove that is to win out in these next two divisional games, and to beat a decent team in the bowl game. The Virginia Cavaliers and Miami Hurricanes are both out of the Divisional race, but can the Hurricanes stay motivated, and finally overcome a road victory at prime time this season?
London’s last stand?
The former colleague of Al Golden, Mike London, is on life support concerning his employment at the University of Virginia. Virginia is 4-6 on the year, and 2-4 in the ACC. Many thought this was Mike London’s year to prove himself worthy of being the football coach of the Virginia Cavaliers, but it seems that so far, he is failing and could lose his job at the end of the season.
Virginia’s Season in Review
Virginia started the season with a very close, competitive loss to a top ranked UCLA team 30-28, showing a dominant front 7 on defense. They had an impressive victory over the #21 ranked Louisville Cardinals at the time, who the Canes failed to beat on Labor Day Night. The next week, Virginia traveled to Utah to play BYU and played competitively, but could could get not the W. The next two weeks, they had victories over Kent State and divisional foe Pittsburgh. So at 5-2, Mike London and his team are in decent position to have a positive year that could save his job. However after the victory, the dropped the next 4 games to Duke, North Carolina, Georgia Tech and Florida State that has really hurt London’s chances of not being fired. Like Miami, they looked competitive in the first half against Florida State. However, Mike London could save his job and the season by winning out in their next two games against Miami and Virginia Tech and become bowl eligible. With that in mind, the Virginia Cavaliers staff and players will be playing for their head coach, and the Canes should not overlook this game.
UVA Stat Leaders
- QB Grayson Lambert – 122-204, 1275 yard, 8 TDs
- RB Kevin Parks – 165 carries, 669 yards, 4 TDs
- WR Darius Jennings – 24 rec, 466 yards, 2 TDs
UVA Team Stats
- Offensive Passing – 242 (ranked 54th)
- Offensive Rushing – 142 ( ranked 92nd)
- Defensive Passing yards allowed – 229 yards per game ( ranked 7oth)
- Defensive Rushing yards allowed – 118.6 per game (ranked 15th)
Keys to Success
As I mentioned before, the Virginia Defense has a stout front-7 ranking 15th in the nation against the rush nationally. Golden has mentioned that they have his attention his weekly press confrence which may give the Canes the most trouble.
Much like the Florida State game, Miami will have to use Brad Kaaya to help them to victory. UVA will take the Louisville and Florida State approach to stopping the running attack with Duke Johnson by stacking the box. One thing to watch for: Duke Johnson is on pace for a remarkable achievement, he only needs 122 yards to be the all time rushing leader in Miami Hurricanes history. Luckily, the Canes have Phillip Dorsett and Clive Walford to create mismatches for the Virginia secondary. Look to James Coley to exploit their secondary with Dorsett if they leave a one high safety in the game. Clive Walford has 33 catches and 522 yards on the season with 7 TDs and was recently named a semifinalist for the John Mackey award. He could make huge strides in these next two games in hopes to win this award.
Nov 15, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes tight end Clive Walford (46) runs past Florida State Seminoles defensive end Chris Casher (21) for a touchdown during the second quarter at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
On the other hand, the Virginia Cavaliers have suffered from some inconsistency woes from the quarterback position. Turnovers have contributed to much of UVA’s losses this season with 22 total on offense. The Canes may see split time of Grayson Lambert and Matt Johns, who also has thrown 8 TDs on the season. The Virginia offense does not really give one headaches, because both quarterbacks have a total of 13 interceptions combined. The Canes will need to continue to force turnovers on defense, which they have been great at doing so as of late, causing two against the Seminoles.
Can the Special Teams get it together this week? Michael Badgley is coming off a tough performance with missing a key field goal and a blocked XP in the 1st half of the Florida State game. He will need to overcome the adversity, and become reliable in this game.
Quick Notes:
- Anthony Chickillo is full go for Saturday’s Game
- Deon Bush is out with a hamstring injury, can the Miami secondary cope without him?
- Game can be watched on ESPN 2 at 7 ET Saturday Night.
- Scott Stadium in Charlottesville, VA,
- Broadcasted on 560 WQAM by Joe Z and DBJ
- Go Canes