After humbling opener, 'Canes look to bounce back against FAMU
What better way to overcome a season-opening loss than by playing five days later in front of family and friends?
The Miami Hurricanes (0-1) host the Florida A&M Rattlers (0-1) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Sun Life Stadium hoping to forget about their time in Louisville.
With a short week, the Hurricanes will try to work out the kinks against an FCS opponent. While the defense showed improvement from last season -- only to get tired in the fourth quarter because the Cardinals held the ball for nearly 10 minutes -- the offense failed to sustain drives and capitalize on red-zone opportunities.
Miami leads the series 8-1 with all eight wins in South Florida. The first meeting was in 1979 and saw Florida A&M capture a 16-13 victory. These teams last met in 2010 when the Hurricanes won 45-0.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Miami's offensive play-calling vs. Florida A&M's defense
If you were on social media during the Hurricanes' 31-13 loss to the Cardinals on Labor Day, you saw the feedback fans offered the coaching staff concerning the conservative nature of calls on offense.
Although head coach Al Golden said true freshman quarterback Brad Kaaya wouldn't be treated as such, many believed the playbook wasn't expanded for fear of mistakes. Miami opened the second half with six straight run plays. The fast weapons around Kaaya -- senior Phillip Dorsett and sophomore Stacy Coley -- combined for just 48 yards on four catches.
Louisville took advantage and closed out the game with 17 unanswered points in the second half. The Hurricanes mustered just a pair of 24-yard field goals and a 2-yard touchdown pass despite five red-zone opportunities.
Will offensive coordinator James Coley open things up more against an FCS opponent? Is there a better time or way to practice?
Florida A&M's defense allowed 439 yards to Jackson State, but it did force four field goals in the red zone. In three of those cases, the offense was inside the 5-yard line and couldn't score a touchdown. Sound familiar?
TRENDING UP
Florida A&M: Senior quarterback Damien Fleming went 16 of 27 with 188 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions through the air in the opener. He also added a team-high 59 yards on the ground.
Miami: The defense recorded four sacks (from four different players) against Louisville, which equaled the amount the unit collected over the final four games of the 2013 season. It also forced two fumbles inside the opponent's 10.
TRENDING DOWN
Florida A&M: The Rattlers held a 17-16 lead over Jackson State with 46 seconds remaining but lost on a Hail Mary on the game's final play. Since 1979, FAMU hasn't beaten a Division I program for a 1-21 record.
Miami: The Hurricanes went just 1 of 13 on third downs, the second-worst conversion rate (118 of 119 teams) in the country behind Florida International. Not only does this affect the offense's chances to score and maintain possession, but it also hurts the defense who must get back on the field for longer periods of time.
INJURY REPORT
Florida A&M: N/A
Miami: Out -- WR Rashawn Scott (upper extremity); Out for season -- DB Rayshawn Jenkins (back)
DID YOU KNOW?
The last eight Miami teams to start the season with a loss all rebounded to win in Week 2. The Hurricanes haven't gone 0-2 since 1978.
QUOTEBOARD
"Active quarterback, some options, some pull things in that nature we haven't seen. That's college football these days. Every week is a different chessboard because of what the offenses are doing." -- Head coach Al Golden on FAMU's offense
"I caught a cramp. I was drinking a lot of water on the sidelines. I blame it on the water." -- Senior linebacker Denzel Perryman on leaving Monday's game late in the fourth quarter
"That was the reason why we lost. Told (Brad Kaaya) it's not his fault. It's our fault. We didn't give him enough time and he got hit. The blame's on us." -- Senior offensive lineman Jon Feliciano on the unit's trouble against Louisville
"I feel like I can go out there against any team and do what I have to do. It makes me feel more comfortable playing with these guys and knowing my stuff and executing with them." -- True freshman defensive tackle Courtel Jenkins after getting 26 snaps in his debut against Louisville
"All together we did pretty good. Came up with two turnovers inside the 10. Our tackling was great. Individually I think I did pretty well for a first start. One thing I wanted to get better on in the summer and spring was tackling, and I came out 100 percent tackling in the game. That's pretty good. Still a lot of stuff to work on (like) pass drops." -- Junior defensive end Tyriq McCord
LOOKING AHEAD
Miami hosts Arkansas State, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 13. The Red Wolves are 28-10 since 2011.
You can follow Christina De Nicola on Twitter @CDeNicola13 or email her at cdenicola13@gmail.com.