- Joined
- Nov 3, 2011
- Messages
- 5,974
First off, this was the first Canes game I've been able to attend live in seven years, and my wife's first live Canes game ever - what a fantastic experience! From where we were sitting (nosebleeds on the home side, surrounded by Tech fans) I was concerned at first, but let me say that GT has some of the nicest fans I've ever been around. After the game it was nothing but "wow, what a game - you guys deserved to win. Good luck the rest of the way!" Classy bunch, at least the ones around us.
Now, on to the game itself. This game literally had it all - massive momentum swings, special teams debacles, bizarre penalties, spectacular touchdowns, gutty defensive stops, overtime... It was a physically and emotionally exhausting game (and I'm just some overweight white guy watching from a bleacher seat - can't imagine how the players feel right now!)
I thought Morris played well when it counted most - super-clutch performance by him. His first quarter was spectacular - the opening deep ball to Dorsett was gorgeous, and reminded me of the opening TD pass Jacory threw to Benjamin at FSU a couple years ago. That said, there were stretches (much of the 3rd quarter) where he just couldn't hit a short out/slant to save his life - throwing at guys' feet, etc. And the INT was once again a deep ball with zero air under it. But man, that last drive was unreal - and to be honest, I no longer have that gut-wrenching fear that used to overtake me every time a Miami QB drops back to pass. =) I think going forward, Morris can correct some of his mechanical/timing mistakes, and there's really no way I can sit here on my computer and nitpick a kid who threw for over 400 yards and led a flawless 2-minute drill to send the game to overtime. Kudos all around!
How about Mike James? Seriously. He carried the run game Saturday, played with a toughness I haven't seen from him in two years, and then went out and both tied AND won the game for us. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy - hope he puts up big numbers throughout the year and makes millions of dollars in the league. Nobody deserves it more.
Duke had the quietest 200 all-purpose yards ever, but you just KNOW every time he touches the ball, good things are bound to happen. The screen pass he broke was a thing of beauty (shades of Willis v. FSU), and I think he'll break UM records this year - even with the coaches taking it easy with him. All this kid needs is 15-20 all-purpose touches per game and he'll make it worth the price of admission.
Phil Dorsett is rapidly turning into a legit #1 WR option. The fumble was certainly inexcusable and was the turning point for GT's run, but how can you argue with this kid's speed and quickness in the open field? And I do think that Fisch's offense is well-suited for PD to put up massive numbers in the "catch-and-run" game.
At the beginning of spring ball, who here thought you could put the words "Davon Johnson" and "clutch receiver" in the same sentence? Certainly not me. But with Lewis going down with that terrible injury, DJ has earned his spot in the rotation. How cool is it to see a guy everyone had written off doing so well? Love it!
Speaking of former write-offs, Brandon McGee is playing his *** off right now. Another kid I hope gets drafted somewhere and makes us proud.
I gotta admit, I was a Kehoe-doubter at the beginning of the year, but so far through 4 games, I'm really starting to come around. Morris had ALL DAY to throw and our OL was driving guys off the ball, particularly in the 4th quarter (another credit to the U Tough program.)
On to the defense. Here's what I saw - GT played a **** of a game. This wasn't a case of the option falling apart, bad pitches, breaks going our way, and us lucking into some 3-and-outs. Yeah, they got their 250 yards rushing or whatever, but I saw a patchwork front 7 hold the line and play good, disciplined football for 4 quarters... well, 2.5 quarters anyway. But the quarter-and-a-half where GT was running roughshod, it was usually just one mental error, a single overpursuit/bad angle that led to big plays. That's the essence of the Paul Johnson offense. Then you look at the 4th quarter. A bunch of KEY stops - the 3rd and then 4th and inches plays in overtime were just superb assignment football. By guys like King, Grimble, Pierre, Green, Eddie "Clean Out Your Locker" Johnson, and of course Chick who had the game of his life Saturday. Yeah, when we go back to playing a real offense, I'm sure the old problems will rear their ugly heads, but for now, I'm gonna bask in this one. Like most on this board, I was scared ****less of getting "Virginia-ed", and it never happened. All-in-all, I'll take it!
The Malcolm Lewis injury was one of the hardest to watch in recent memory. Major props to Golden, his staff, the medical/training personnel, and the team for their swift, professional, and still very human response to the situation. The care showed by every member of this organization from top to bottom is heartwarming - here's to Malcolm making a full recovery and balling out next year!
Looking at the big picture - a young team, injured at key positions, on the road, in conference, against an exotic offense that just steamrolled their last conference opponent, comes out with one of the most thrilling wins in a very long time. For me personally, this win is top-3 for games that I've been privileged to witness live - UF in 03, FSU in 02 (Wide Left), and now this one. Gutty, hard-fought, and intensely emotional game - let's enjoy this one, and then we can see just how much this team has really grown up this Saturday. Believe it or not, I think the NCST game this weekend just got a LOT harder, and now has all the makings of a quintessential "let-down" game. We win again this weekend, and I think 8 wins is well within reach. One thing's for sure - it sure as **** won't be boring!
Now, on to the game itself. This game literally had it all - massive momentum swings, special teams debacles, bizarre penalties, spectacular touchdowns, gutty defensive stops, overtime... It was a physically and emotionally exhausting game (and I'm just some overweight white guy watching from a bleacher seat - can't imagine how the players feel right now!)
I thought Morris played well when it counted most - super-clutch performance by him. His first quarter was spectacular - the opening deep ball to Dorsett was gorgeous, and reminded me of the opening TD pass Jacory threw to Benjamin at FSU a couple years ago. That said, there were stretches (much of the 3rd quarter) where he just couldn't hit a short out/slant to save his life - throwing at guys' feet, etc. And the INT was once again a deep ball with zero air under it. But man, that last drive was unreal - and to be honest, I no longer have that gut-wrenching fear that used to overtake me every time a Miami QB drops back to pass. =) I think going forward, Morris can correct some of his mechanical/timing mistakes, and there's really no way I can sit here on my computer and nitpick a kid who threw for over 400 yards and led a flawless 2-minute drill to send the game to overtime. Kudos all around!
How about Mike James? Seriously. He carried the run game Saturday, played with a toughness I haven't seen from him in two years, and then went out and both tied AND won the game for us. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy - hope he puts up big numbers throughout the year and makes millions of dollars in the league. Nobody deserves it more.
Duke had the quietest 200 all-purpose yards ever, but you just KNOW every time he touches the ball, good things are bound to happen. The screen pass he broke was a thing of beauty (shades of Willis v. FSU), and I think he'll break UM records this year - even with the coaches taking it easy with him. All this kid needs is 15-20 all-purpose touches per game and he'll make it worth the price of admission.
Phil Dorsett is rapidly turning into a legit #1 WR option. The fumble was certainly inexcusable and was the turning point for GT's run, but how can you argue with this kid's speed and quickness in the open field? And I do think that Fisch's offense is well-suited for PD to put up massive numbers in the "catch-and-run" game.
At the beginning of spring ball, who here thought you could put the words "Davon Johnson" and "clutch receiver" in the same sentence? Certainly not me. But with Lewis going down with that terrible injury, DJ has earned his spot in the rotation. How cool is it to see a guy everyone had written off doing so well? Love it!
Speaking of former write-offs, Brandon McGee is playing his *** off right now. Another kid I hope gets drafted somewhere and makes us proud.
I gotta admit, I was a Kehoe-doubter at the beginning of the year, but so far through 4 games, I'm really starting to come around. Morris had ALL DAY to throw and our OL was driving guys off the ball, particularly in the 4th quarter (another credit to the U Tough program.)
On to the defense. Here's what I saw - GT played a **** of a game. This wasn't a case of the option falling apart, bad pitches, breaks going our way, and us lucking into some 3-and-outs. Yeah, they got their 250 yards rushing or whatever, but I saw a patchwork front 7 hold the line and play good, disciplined football for 4 quarters... well, 2.5 quarters anyway. But the quarter-and-a-half where GT was running roughshod, it was usually just one mental error, a single overpursuit/bad angle that led to big plays. That's the essence of the Paul Johnson offense. Then you look at the 4th quarter. A bunch of KEY stops - the 3rd and then 4th and inches plays in overtime were just superb assignment football. By guys like King, Grimble, Pierre, Green, Eddie "Clean Out Your Locker" Johnson, and of course Chick who had the game of his life Saturday. Yeah, when we go back to playing a real offense, I'm sure the old problems will rear their ugly heads, but for now, I'm gonna bask in this one. Like most on this board, I was scared ****less of getting "Virginia-ed", and it never happened. All-in-all, I'll take it!
The Malcolm Lewis injury was one of the hardest to watch in recent memory. Major props to Golden, his staff, the medical/training personnel, and the team for their swift, professional, and still very human response to the situation. The care showed by every member of this organization from top to bottom is heartwarming - here's to Malcolm making a full recovery and balling out next year!
Looking at the big picture - a young team, injured at key positions, on the road, in conference, against an exotic offense that just steamrolled their last conference opponent, comes out with one of the most thrilling wins in a very long time. For me personally, this win is top-3 for games that I've been privileged to witness live - UF in 03, FSU in 02 (Wide Left), and now this one. Gutty, hard-fought, and intensely emotional game - let's enjoy this one, and then we can see just how much this team has really grown up this Saturday. Believe it or not, I think the NCST game this weekend just got a LOT harder, and now has all the makings of a quintessential "let-down" game. We win again this weekend, and I think 8 wins is well within reach. One thing's for sure - it sure as **** won't be boring!
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