As coach Al Golden’s Hurricanes keep winning, he said, “we’re getting everybody’s best punch.”
This year’s version of Florida State, next up on the schedule, can land crosses, jabs and haymakers with ruthless efficiency. After this weekend’s win over Wake Forest, it remains clear Miami has work to do to get into fighting shape for Saturday night’s game in Tallahassee (8 p.m., ABC).
Miami (7-0, 3-0 ACC) and Florida State (7-0, 5-0) are two of the 10 unbeatens left in major college football, but UM, which opened the week as a 21-point underdog, is expected to be knocked from those ranks.
While the Seminoles have trailed for just less than 38 minutes this season, the Hurricanes have come from at least 10 points down in each of their last three games. Two weeks in a row, Miami has scored the deciding touchdown in the final minute. A pair of fourth-quarter TDs by Duke Johnson gave UM a 24-21 win over Wake Forest on Saturday.
“It was a challenge for us,” Golden said. “We didn’t convert enough on offense. We didn’t stop them enough on defense on third downs. It’s really as simple as that. There’s really no excuses.”
Miami adjusted in the second half, but the Canes allowed Wake to convert 6 of 9 third downs in the opening 30 minutes and gave up a fourth-down touchdown pass to fall behind 14-3.
Starting slowly could doom the Canes against the Seminoles, who have outscored opponents 82-28 in first quarters and whose lowest single-game outputs — 41 points and 489 total yards — would be the envy of many other offenses. Heisman-contender quarterback Jameis Winston has four excellent wide receivers, a talented tight end in Dwyer alum Nick O’Leary, a stable of good running backs and a solid offensive line.
“You can’t defend all of those things all game,” Golden said. “They’re an extremely talented team led by an excellent quarterback right now. They’re not beating themselves. They’re explosive. They’ll make you pay for any mistake that you make.”
Coverage errors allowed Wake Forest to turn short passes into first-down gains — and nearly helped the Demon Deacons knock off the Hurricanes as Dominique Gibson, a former Glades Central standout, shook a tackle and scored a 44-yard catch-and-run touchdown to put Wake Forest up 21-17 with 4:02 left.
Miami also didn’t force turnovers at its normal rate. After gaining at least two in each of its previous five games, UM intercepted one pass late in Saturday’s game.
Though the Hurricanes will face questions about their readiness, Golden believes his team is equipped to handle the national spotlight and the weight of one of college football’s best rivalries.
“I know it sounds cliche, but we have to use our maturity and experience and be able to do that, and hold each other accountable all week,” Golden said. “That’s the biggest thing for us. I’m not worried about the magnitude of games. I plan on being here a long time and taking part in a lot of these games.”
Canes checkups: Johnson's injury, termed a mild concussion by ESPNU's broadcast team, doesn't seem to be serious. Quarterback Stephen Morris' ankle is another matter.
Morris, who was inconsistent even before taking a hit to his right ankle Sept. 21 against Savannah State, said he continues to feel effects from the injury. After Saturday’s game, Golden said he expected to rest Morris until Tuesday.
“To be honest with you, this is the best he’s looked, physically,” Golden said. “I’m really hoping that will be the last little 10 percent or whatever we need to get him over the hump.”
Golden said UM’s most productive receiver, senior Allen Hurns, felt fine Sunday. Hurns fell awkwardly on his left side and missed the second half with a hip pointer. Golden said senior safety Kacy Rodgers II (ankle) “wasn’t quite ready to go” against Wake Forest but hoped he would return against Florida State.
Noteworthy: Miami remained at No. 7 in Sunday's Associated Press poll, and Florida State stayed at No. 3.
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