University of North Carolina Athletics
Miami Game Guide
October 25, 2005 | Football
Oct. 25, 2005
By Adam Lucas
Carolina visits Miami in a key conference road trip on Saturday at 12 Noon (please note the game time change as it was originally scheduled for 3:30 p.m.). As always, TarHeelBlue.com will be your home for exclusive stories and photos throughout game week. To start you off, we've put together a comprehensive Miami game guide packed with all the information you need to get ready for the Hurricanes. In the days to come, we'll have reports from John Bunting's Tuesday press conference, a feature on middle linebacker Durell Mapp, Lee Pace's Friday mailbag, and much more.
Until then, we've broken down the game guide into five sections: the basics, storylines, at the game, watching the game on TV, and names to know. And of course, if you need some quick stats, check out the Tuesday Talking Points.
The Basics
Game Time: North Carolina at Miami, 12 Noon (please note the game time change as it was originally scheduled for 3:30 p.m.)
Carolina's game notes can be found here and Miami's official football site is here.
The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2 (this is a change from the original broadcast network of ESPN). The game is also available on XM Radio channel 192, although the broadcast will feature the Miami announcers since XM always uses the home team feed.
Last time: On Oct. 30, 2004, Carolina captured perhaps its most stunning victory in history with a 31-28 victory over the fourth-ranked Hurricanes at Kenan Stadium. Connor Barth provided the winning margin with a 42-yard field goal as time expired, setting off a wild celebration in Chapel Hill. Chad Scott turned in an extremely gutty performance by rushing for 175 yards on an injured hip, an effort that left him unable to walk after the game.
Gameday weather: Check the local weather forecast before heading for the game.
Injury report: Jacoby Watkins is out for the season with a broken leg and Ben Lemming is also out for the year.
Radio Coverage: Tar Heel Sports Network coverage begins at 2:30. Keep in mind that the local FM affiliate has changed to 106.1 FM. Fans making the trip to Miami can search for the Tar Heel Sports Network in-stadium feed low on the dial--this week's frequency is likely to be 88.7 FM. The in-stadium frequency is determined by which frequencies in the area already contain competing stations, so other possible in-stadium frequencies include 89.1 and 89.5.
Game week TV/radio coverage: John Bunting Live airs Thursday night at 7 and the John Bunting TV show airs Saturday morning at 9 a.m. on FOX Sports. If you need some Tar Heel radio coverage to get you through the week until Thursday, check out Woody Durham's daily shows or the archive of Monday's Tar Heel Talk show with Jones Angell and Adam Lucas.
Storylines
Key conference clash: A month ago it's unlikely anyone would have believed this: Carolina's game at Miami is likely to be a Coastal Division knockout game. The winner maintains hopes of challenging Virginia Tech for the division title and earning a slot in Jacksonville for the league championship game. The loser has to juggle their goals. Consider this--Carolina is one of only four teams left in the league (FSU, Miami, and Virginia Tech are the others) that controls its own destiny with respect to the league title game. Win out and the Heels are bound for Jacksonville.
Offensive playbook: Carolina beat Miami last season with a wide-open package that included some option out of the shotgun formation, some misdirection, and some screen passes to take advantage of the fast-pursuing Hurricane defense. The `Canes are even stouter this year--they're ranked first in the nation in total defense and haven't allowed a grand total of 20 points in their last four games. Carolina's offense, meanwhile, has struggled mightily in four of six games this year.
The running game showed some signs of coming back to life against Virginia, as the Tar Heels picked up a season-high 172 yards. Barrington Edwards did some of the toughest running of his Carolina career, moving the Heels closer to establishing the type of three-pronged running attack they used so often last season. "We finally got Barrington and Ronnie going at the same time," tackle Brian Chacos said. "For us to be able to run the ball against a team like Virginia with great linebackers and a great defensive line gives us a lot of confidence."
It's unlikely, however, that the Tar Heels will be able to simply grind over the Hurricanes. That means they'll need some big plays from an offense that has produced just three plays of more than 40 yards this season.
Miami focus: Through no fault of their own, Miami has been the victim of an extremely unusual schedule. Hurricane threats postponed last Saturday's scheduled game against Georgia Tech, so the `Canes will have been idle for two weeks. Their previous two games were routs against Duke and Temple, so it's been almost a month since they've played a close, meaningful game. There's also the danger of looking ahead, as their next game is an ESPN prime-time showdown against Virginia Tech on Nov. 5. You'll be able to tell plenty about the opponent's focus in the first two quarters--check the Tuesday Talking Points for a starting first-half offensive stat about the Hurricanes.
One reason they're likely to be very focused: the Hurricanes are a little miffed at the attention Carolina's upset last season in Kenan received (including a spot on the front of the Tar Heel media guide).
At the Game
Listening to the Tar Heel Sports Network at the game: Woody, Rick, Lee and Jones will be on the air at 2:30 p.m.
Carolina team hotel: Don Shula Hotel and Golf Club
Pregame activities: Start game day right by joining the Rams Club and General Alumni Association tailgate party in Miami. Click the above link for more information.
Tickets: Tickets are still available through the University of Miami by calling 800-GO-CANES or purchasing online.
How to get to the game: There are several options. The key to remember for all of them is that you don't want to wander around the Orange Bowl area any longer than you absolutely must, especially after dark. If you drive, you can use the park and ride from the 13th Ave. Lot 18, which begins two hours before kickoff and costs $5. There will also be private parking lots as you approach the stadium.
If you prefer public transportation, you can ride the Metrorail to the Culmer Station and transfer to the Orange Bowl shuttle buses.
What to do in Miami: October begins the Miami busy season as Northerners flee the cold, so the city will be beginning to take on a somewhat older feel. The Miracle Mile is the heart of Coral Gables--you could spend anywhere from an hour to a day depending on your love of shopping. The Venetian Pool (305-460-5356)is another quirky Coral Gables must-see. Norman's (305-446-6767) is considered one of the best restaurants in Florida. Reservations are essential. The converse is Joe's Stone Crab, another famous Miami restaurant, where reservations aren't taken at all. Waits can be up to two hours for dinner; try going at lunchtime for a shorter wait (but the same food).
Downtown Miami isn't particularly appealing. If you're looking for the Miami you've seen on television, try Ocean Drive on South Beach. Stop by the Art Deco District Welcome Center to get your bearings. It's hard to go wrong at any of the South Beach restaurants and also hard to find a non-trendy, non-expensive place to eat. If you've simply got to come home with something glam, try the Bal Harbour Shops.
Watching at Home
If you're going to watch on ESPN and plan to turn down the sound, you'll probably encounter some delay. For the Cliffs Notes version on why that happens and one possible solution, click here and scroll down to the last answer.
A full list of Tar Heel Sports Network affiliates can be found here.
Names to Know
Whether you're at the game or watching it with your buddies at home, it helps to have a few names to throw out to cement your status as the Tar Heel guru. Four to remember:
Devin Hester: Looking for a reason why Carolina was able to pull the upset last year? Try their domination of the special teams phase of the game. Miami averaged just 14.5 yards per kickoff return, had zero punt return yards, and Devin Hester, the special teams speedster who ranks third in the country in punt returns this season, didn't have a single return yard. The average field position for the `Canes in the fourth quarter was their own 15-yard line.
Trimane Goddard:: It doesn't really matter if it's at cornerback or safety, but Trimane Goddard is rapidly proving he needs to be on the field as much as possible for Carolina's defense. Goddard lost the battle with Mahlon Carey for the starting strong safety position in training camp. But he was a valuable player in nickel coverage and eventually earned back the starting slot.
"I've been waiting for the chance to start for a while," he said after the Virginia game. "I talked to my high school coach about it and he told me to be patient, that things would come to me. That's what has happened."
Goddard tipped the ball that eventually wound up as Cedrick Holt's game-saving interception and he has also proven--despite a deceptively slight frame--to be one of Carolina's toughest hitters in the secondary.
That frame raised some eyebrows when he made the switch from corner to safety this spring. But just six games into the switch, he already feels at home.
"I love it," he said. "There's a lot of getting after it in the alleys. I have a lot of chances to make one-on-one tackles in a phone booth and that's what I love to do."
Kareem Brown: The junior defensive tackle is quietly having a breakout season. At 6-foot-5, 307 pounds, he's a load to move, and he's spent plenty of time in offensive backfields this year, as he already has a team-leading eight tackles for loss and two sacks. Brown attended Norland High School--the same school Carolina raided for three players on Signing Day--but had to sit out his senior year because of age requirements. Miami stayed after him and offered a scholarship, and the gamble has paid off.
Connor Barth: It's extremely unlikely that Carolina can upset Miami without Barth playing a major role. Although he's been very solid on kickoffs, the sophomore is in a 3-for-11 slump on field goals. An easy chip shot would boost his sagging confidence, but every opportunity for points will be critical. Barth's backup is Fayetteville walk-on Lane Clemmons, but there's no question that Barth has the requisite makeup to be a successful kicker at Carolina if he can break out of his current slide.
Adam Lucas is the publisher of Tar Heel Monthly and can be reached at alucas@tarheelmonthly.com. He is the coauthor of the official book of the 2005 championship season, Led By Their Dreams, and his book on Roy Williams's first season at Carolina, Going Home Again, is now available in bookstores. To subscribe to Tar Heel Monthly or learn more about Going Home Again, click here.
