Independence Bowl 2014: Players to Watch

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After a discouraging loss to the Pittsburgh Panthers on Senior Night, the Miami Hurricanes look to bounce back in the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, LA to end the season on a good note. Overall, the 2014 Miami Hurricanes have been a big disappointment to the fan base because this team was predicted to win the Coastal by the media in the preseason. Many players, including the seniors and Duke Johnson (undeclared for the Draft but likely to declare), will suit up in the Canes uniform for the very last time in the career. The South Carolina Gamecocks’ have a few players from South Florida such as LB Skai Moore, DB Chris Lammons and Al Harris Jr. These particular players will be the players to watch for the bowl game for South Carolina because they hold a personal stake in this game. They were not recruited enough by the Miami coaching staff. But who are some of the Cane players to watch?

Standish Dobard

After a quite season, Dobard has seen significant amount of playing time in the past few games including FSU, Virginia, and Pitt. He has been mostly been used for blocking purposes, but now he will have to step up. Clive Walford, who lead the Canes in catches, is ruled out for this bowl game due to a knee injury suffered in the Pitt game.Dobard will have to fill in some big shoes. Dobard a Louisiana native, played HS football in the city of New Orleans. Will he show up in front of the Home State? Dobard had a crucial fumble in the Florida State game that really swayed the momentum for the Noles. Can he overcome that ghost? Will Brad Kaaya still utilize the TE? With the absence of Walford, Dobard has received a significant amount of reps with the 1st team, so he will be a player to watch for.

Nov 29, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes tight end Standish Dobard (5) makes a catch as Pittsburgh Panthers linebacker Anthony Gonzalez (28) during the second half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Duke Johnson

Many say Duke Johnson was a Miami Hurricane from a different era in the days of old and glory. Duke, one of the best to put on the uniform, quietly reached the milestone record of becoming the all-time rushing leader in Canes history in the Pittsburgh game, but much of that was overshadowed due to the loss. Although unofficial, there have been reports that Duke Johnson will declare for the NFL draft:

Multiple sources expect #Miami RB Duke Johnson to announce he's entering the NFL Draft. "I'd be shocked if he stays in school", said one.
— Rand Getlin (@RandGetlin) December 25, 2014

If this will be Duke’s last game in the Canes uniform, he will go out with a “bang” and give it his all. It is likely that NFL scouts will be watching and taking notes on his performance against the Gamecocks. The Canes hold a significant advantage here, because South Carolina has been getting gashed all year in the run game. Duke will be a player to watch for in this game, for it may be his last.

For the Gamecocks, Moore, Harris Jr., Lammons, and Mike Davis

Skai Moore was not recruited by the Hurricanes coaching staff until National Signing Day in 2013; he received a offer from Mark D’Nofrio , but he already committed to South Carolina. In that year, the Miami coaching staff put all their eggs in one basket by recruiting Matthew Thomas from Booker T Washington. Thomas ended up choosing Florida State and left the Miami coaching staff desperate, therefore giving Moore a very late offer. Moore grew up a huge Canes fan, and probably would have committed if offered earlier. Moore has played well for the Gamecocks; he was all freshman SEC last year when the Gamecocks went 11-2 in 2013. Moore would recieved a lot of playing time in the line backing core if he were at Miami now, and would have added a significant amount of depth. More than likely, Moore will a have chip on his shoulder with Al Harris Jr. Al Harris Jr. a DB, was also snubbed by the Canes coaching staff and holds a small vendetta against the Canes. Chris Lammons was 4 star prospect DB in High School, he was recruited by the Canes, but nearly enough. He resembles the characteristic of a player getting out of “Fence of Miami”, which maybe unavoidable in today’s age, but surely he will look forward to playing against the Hometown Team. Both of these DB’s and long with Moore will be players to watch for.

Sep 6, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks linebacker Skai Moore (10) looks to stop East Carolina Pirates running back Chris Hairston (22) during game action between the South Carolina Gamecocks and East Carolina Pirates at Williams-Brice Stadium. South Carolina wins 33-23 over East Carolina. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Mike Davis, like Duke Johnson, will suit up for the last time in a Gamecocks uniforms. He will set out to impress the NFL Scouts in the Bowl game and will look to have a huge day. It should be noted that the Canes have struggled against talent running backs in Al Golden’s regime. Pittsburgh’s James Connor and Nebraska’s Amer Abdullah ran for an abundant of yards this season against the Canes Defense. Mike Davis and Steve Spurrier will see this on film, and South Carolina will feed Mike Davis to offset their productive passing game.

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