All the talk heading into the University of Miami’s home opener against Ohio State revolved around suspensions, rogue boosters, tattoo parlors and strip clubs.
On Saturday night, Lamar Miller and a refined Hurricanes defense gave everyone something else to talk about.
Fueled by Miller’s career-high 184 yards on the ground and a defense that took turns giving Ohio State quarterbacks Joe Bauserman and Braxton Miller fits, the Canes gave Al Golden his first win in green and orange with a convincing 24-6 victory against the 17th-ranked Buckeyes.
“It’s big. It’s Ohio State, six-time defending Big Ten champion. The manner we won is really important,” said Golden, whose team became the first to keep Ohio State out of the end zone since Penn State did it in 2008.
“We’ve talked about being able to finish games, and that’s what we did. All I’ve known about Miami football is this is how they’ve played — being relentless. We kind of wore them down in the second half.”
A crowd of 66,279, the second-largest to watch a UM game at Sun Life Stadium, booed UM quarterback Jacory Harris after he threw two costly interceptions in the first half. But in the end, Canes fans went home happy — and with the sweet taste of revenge for last year’s 36-24 loss in Columbus.
Harris finished 16 of 23 for 123 yards, with two first-quarter touchdown passes and those two picks. But he hardly had to do any heavy lifting. Miller and Mike James, who capped a game-ending 14-play, 69-yard, nine-minute drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, combined for 240 yards on the ground on 42 carries.
Before Saturday, Ohio State’s defense had only allowed 10 rushers since the start of the 2005 season to break the century mark. Miller had 115 yards on nine carries at the end of the first quarter.
How much better was UM’s defense Saturday than in its opener at Maryland? Bauserman and Miller completed four of their 18 combined pass attempts for 35 yards. Against Maryland, UM gave up that many yards and completions before the opening drive was over.
The Buckeyes (2-1) ran for 174 yards behind speedy junior tailback Jordan Hall — one of three suspended players the team got back this week. But when it mattered, Ohio State could never punch it in.
“The guys we had back on defense made a big difference. I’m not going to hide that,” Golden said. “[Linebacker] Sean Spence runs the show.”
Spence, back in UM’s defense after serving an NCAA-mandated one-game suspension along with Marcus Forston and Adewale Ojomo, tied sophomore Jimmy Gaines for the team lead with six tackles. Defensive tackle Micanor Regis forced a key Braxton Miller fumble with 9:21 left in the fourth quarter, which was recovered by cornerback Mike Williams. Freshman phenom Anthony Chickillo, who made his first career start, also made his first career sack.
But throughout, it was all about the fast and furious Miller.
After forcing Ohio State to a three-and-out on its first possession, Miller took his first handoff from Harris and dashed right up the middle of the Buckeyes’ Silver Bullet defense. Twice the 5-11, 212-pound sophomore fought off tackles, tripped and still maintained his balance before finally getting tracked down by cornerback Bradley Roby at the Buckeyes’ 9-yard line. The 54-yard run was a career long for Miller — and just the start of a big night.
Three plays later, Harris found Hurns uncovered in the back of the end zone on a 3-yard pass to put the Canes up 7-0 with 12:47 remaining in the quarter. It was the 51st touchdown pass of Harris’ career and first touchdown catch of Hurns’ career.
The Buckeyes could never capitalize on any of Harris’ mistakes, stalling when it mattered. Instead of scoring a touchdown on a near seven minute, 16-play, 64-yard drive, the Buckeyes had to settle for a 22-yard Drew Basil field goal when quarterback Joe Bauserman missed a wide-open Chris Fields in the back of the end zone.
After Harris threw another underthrown floater that was picked by Roby and returned 17 yards to the UM 23, Ohio State settled for another field goal when UM’s defense forced Bauserman to throw it away near the end zone on third and goal.
Ohio State never crossed UM’s 30-yard line again.
[Source: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/09/17/2412625/miami-hurricanes-defense-shuts.html]
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