Hurricanes Rage in ACC Match-up
Georgia Tech’s battering ram of an offense amassed over 400 yards rushing in last season’s match against Miami. This year it was Miami with the battering ram pounding the iron-like Yellow Jackets into a flimsy sheet of foil. The Hurricane offense seemed virtually unstoppable behind outstanding QB Jacory Harris.
The Yellow Jacket team looked tired and slow playing their 3rd game in 12 days. Were they really that tired, or are ACC teams starting to bottle up the flex bone? LSU dominated the Yellow Jackets in last season’s bowl game, then last week Clemson was able to shut down the Flexbone and rally back from 17 points down.
The game seemed to start off the way Georgia Tech likes. They used their options and misdirection to push the ball downfield on the opening possession. Although the drive stalled in the redzone, the Yellow Jackets still picked up a field goal and consumed almost 7:00 off the clock. That would be the last Tech score for a long time.
Jacory Harris and the Hurricane offense took over with little flare. But facing a 3rd and 11 in their own territory, Harris hit consecutive passes of 36 yards and then 40 yards for a TD. Miami offensive coordinator Mark Whipple pulled down on the ‘Kick Ass’ lever and never relented.
Georgia Tech got the ball at their own 40 thanks to the second kick in a row out-of-bounds by the Hurricane kicker. They responded with a three and out to bring the exhausted defense back on the field.
Jacory Harris orchestrated a 6:00 drive ending in a TD, but this time OC Whipple ordered up short passes that seemed to baffle Tech’s defense and keep them chasing.
Georgia Tech answered with a solid drive into the redzone where a Roddy Jones TD run was called back for a ‘Block in the Back’. On a gutsy call to go for it on 4th and 13 to avoid kicking from the baseball infield, Georgia Tech was fortunate to claim a ‘Pass Interference’ for another shot at the endzone. The Yellow Jackets squandered the opportunity. Again faced with a 4th Down, the Yellow Jackets elected to kick a field goal from the infield only to slip up and miss on the attempt.
Miami took the ball and again attacked through the air. Jacory Harris connected with LaRon Byrd for 29 yards as the Hurricanes began to march. The drive would stall, but Miami would still snag another three points.
Miami took the 17-3 score to the half. At this point Miami piled up a lead against a predominantly running offense and was feeling higher than Willie Nelson on an island vacation. Georgia Tech’s offensive lines and defensive lines always seemed a step behind. The running backs couldn’t seem break loose after initial contact. The Yellow Jackets had opportunities after getting their first four possessions at the 40 yard line.
Miami opened the second half attacking through the air. Harris connected with Travis Benjamin on a 20 yard strike. The Hurricanes marched 60 yards before Javaris James punched in a TD from 3 yards out.
Georgia Tech would not recover.
Miami (2-0) is now the clear favorite to win the ACC Coastal division having knocked off ranked Florida State and now the Yellow Jackets (2-1). The Hurricanes have to be comfortable with Harris as the signal caller. Harris provides the confidence and poise required of an excellent leader. The Hurricanes have little time to celebrate, however as they must prepare for #13 Virginia Tech and #12 Oklahoma in the next two weeks.
Superhuman Effort: Jacory Harris put on another impressive display at QB. He finished 20 of 25 for 270 yards and 3 TDs.
Grievances and Gripes: Whoever scheduled 3 games in 12 days for the Yellow Jackets should be beat on their ass. A team might get away with the feat later in the season when the players are game conditioned, but not to start a season.
Gamblers Lounge: Miami made a mockery of the 5.5 points they gave Georgia Tech, but the game would not reach the 54 point over/under.