Miami went into the 2009 season with two new coordinators and facing one of the most difficult opening four-game stretches in the country -- a road trip to Florida State followed by Coastal Division opponents Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and national title runner-up Oklahoma.
The Canes went 3-1 during that stretch, their only loss coming to the Hokies in Blacksburg, and seemed poised for big postseason possibilities. It was a remarkable start to the season, considering some thought the Canes might start 0-4, but quarterback Jacory Harris looked like a Heisman contender, and the defense showed up against Georgia Tech’s tricky spread option.
It wasn’t the nonconference opponents, though, that dropped Miami from great to good. It was an overtime loss to Clemson and an unexpected upset by North Carolina that knocked the Canes out of realistic contention for a BCS bowl. Harris struggled in the second half of the season and finished with a league-high 17 interceptions.
While it wasn’t the extraordinary season some Miami fans had been hoping for, it was still an improvement in coach Randy Shannon’s third season. Miami earned its first nine-win regular season since 2005, and Shannon has improved the program’s record by two wins in each in of the past three seasons. An accomplishment that has gone relatively unnoticed was the fact that the Canes went 4-0 during regular-season nonconference play for the first time since 2005. It was also another quiet season in regards to off-field issues, which had plagued the program in the past.
Offensive MVP: Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson: He was the Canes' most consistent player on offense, as he made at least one catch in all 12 games, and he finished with a team-high 44 receptions for 773 yards and six touchdowns. He made a catch of 20 yards or more in 10 of 11 games, and finished with the most receiving yards since Andre Johnson in 2002.
Defensive MVP: Cornerback Brandon Harris: He led the ACC in passes broken up (14) and passes defended (16). He tied for fifth nationally in passes defended per game (1.33). He is third on the team with 52 total tackles (37 solo, 15 assists), forced two fumbles and intercepted two passes.
Turning point: Miami’s loss to North Carolina. Harris threw a career-high four interceptions and the No. 14 Canes lost, 33-24, and were on the outside looking in at BCS hopeful teams.
What’s next: The Champs Sports Bowl matchup against Wisconsin gives Miami a chance to earn its first 10-win season since 2003.
The Canes went 3-1 during that stretch, their only loss coming to the Hokies in Blacksburg, and seemed poised for big postseason possibilities. It was a remarkable start to the season, considering some thought the Canes might start 0-4, but quarterback Jacory Harris looked like a Heisman contender, and the defense showed up against Georgia Tech’s tricky spread option.
It wasn’t the nonconference opponents, though, that dropped Miami from great to good. It was an overtime loss to Clemson and an unexpected upset by North Carolina that knocked the Canes out of realistic contention for a BCS bowl. Harris struggled in the second half of the season and finished with a league-high 17 interceptions.
While it wasn’t the extraordinary season some Miami fans had been hoping for, it was still an improvement in coach Randy Shannon’s third season. Miami earned its first nine-win regular season since 2005, and Shannon has improved the program’s record by two wins in each in of the past three seasons. An accomplishment that has gone relatively unnoticed was the fact that the Canes went 4-0 during regular-season nonconference play for the first time since 2005. It was also another quiet season in regards to off-field issues, which had plagued the program in the past.
Offensive MVP: Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson: He was the Canes' most consistent player on offense, as he made at least one catch in all 12 games, and he finished with a team-high 44 receptions for 773 yards and six touchdowns. He made a catch of 20 yards or more in 10 of 11 games, and finished with the most receiving yards since Andre Johnson in 2002.
Defensive MVP: Cornerback Brandon Harris: He led the ACC in passes broken up (14) and passes defended (16). He tied for fifth nationally in passes defended per game (1.33). He is third on the team with 52 total tackles (37 solo, 15 assists), forced two fumbles and intercepted two passes.
Turning point: Miami’s loss to North Carolina. Harris threw a career-high four interceptions and the No. 14 Canes lost, 33-24, and were on the outside looking in at BCS hopeful teams.
What’s next: The Champs Sports Bowl matchup against Wisconsin gives Miami a chance to earn its first 10-win season since 2003.
Heather Dinich | email
College Football- ESPN.com ACC blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2007
- Wrote for The Baltimore Sun
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Heather Dinich
Dinich covered ACC and Big Ten football for five seasons before joining ESPN.com in November 2007. She's an Indiana grad but somehow her favorite day of the week is Saturday.
You must be signed in to post a comment