Hurricanes hope to ride post-FSU victory wave
After a streak-busting victory, Canes have a chance to avoid usual post-FSU ‘hangover.’
Miami’s players were doing a lot of basking last weekend, but they say they’ve refocused for their matchup with Georgia Tech.
CORAL GABLES — Miami senior receiver Braxton Berrios heard from former Hurricanes after playing a starring role in a streak-busting win at Florida State.
He’s hardly alone.
“It’s truly been incredible,” said Berrios, who counted a message from Gino Torretta among his favorite feedback. “It’s been a cool few days.”
Students and players enjoyed t hemselves last weeke nd at various off-campus events. Hurricanes fans everywhere are puffing their chests at the office this week. Miami President Julio Frenk visited practice Tuesday to congratulate the team. Malik Rosier said his teachers are showing love in class.
“The whole campus is excited,” he said.
It was a thrilling win for everyone involved with the Miami program, given its seven-year drought against its biggest rival. While Berrios said he and his teammates “basked in all its glory on Saturday night, and I’d say Sunday as well,” he reports they’ve refocused.
“In years past, when we’ve lost to Florida State, there’s been a hangover,” he said. “This year, it can’t be a ‘good’ hangover.”
Last year, losing to the Seminoles brought three losses afterward, the nadir of an otherwise promising campaign. In 2015, UM rebounded to beat Virginia Tech at home the following week but then was clobbered by Clemson (most people reading this recall
what happened after that). FSU began a four-game losing streak for UM in 2014, and a three-game skid in 2013.
In the simplest terms: since 2009, the Canes’ most recent win in this series, the Noles have sidetracked their seasons.
From 2010 to 2016, Miami was 20-25 from the FSU game until the end of the year.
Adding up the FSU game and the next three, Miami was 8-19.
In three-game stretches that began with FSU: 5-16.
FSU and the game after: 4-10.
Notice a pattern? Miami has. That’s why they’re eager to build off a victory, now that they’re not recovering from a loss to FSU.
Mark Richt, who is 14-2 against Georgia Tech, knows it won’t be easy to beat the Yellow Jackets on Saturday (3:30 p.m., ABC), but he’s confident UM can “just relax a little bit, take care of business and do what you’re supposed to do.” He used those words to speak about the confidence his staff and players have at halftime of games, but they apply in this regard.
His program has won its past nine games, its longest stretch since 2003-04 and the third-longest current run in the country.
“It’s tough to beat teams that are used to winning,” he said. “We’re getting used to winning. We’re beginning to show the characteristics of a winning team.
“Recruits can see Miami is on our way back. … Everyone is saying, ‘Is Miami back?’ We’re not back. But we’re moving in the right direction.”
Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, asked about Georgia Tech’s pounding, confounding triple-option, said he’s trying to normalize a boogeyman. “You have to take something that appears complex and break it down and make it simple,” he said. “If it becomes a monster, it’s going to behave like a monster.”
If history is any indication, the 11th-ranked Hurricanes (4-0, 2-0 ACC) could struggle against Georgia Tech (3-1, 2-0) and most likely will in the first few defensive series.
The Yellow Jackets rank 31st in points (36.5), 35th in yards per play (6.35) and unsurprisingly, second nationally in rushing yards per game (396.0). The Yellow Jackets average 5.91 yards per carry (10th), which ranks behind Miami’s 6.40 (sixth). Georgia Tech hasn’t finished behind Miami — or anywhere outside the top 20 — in rushing yards per carry since at least 2008.
Georgia Tech hasn’t beaten UM outside of Atlanta since 2007. Hard Rock Stadium should be more than happy to see the home crowd.
“We don’t like to go on away games, but we love being the enemy,” defensive end Joe Jackson said. “We also love to play in front of our friends. It’s going to feel good to have this home game.”
Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson expects a tough test against the Hurricanes, especially with first place in the ACC Coastal Division on the line.
“They know what the importance of the game is,” he said. “They’re going to be ready to play. It’s a division game. It’s a home game for them. If we go in there and beat them, it won’t be because they had a letdown.”