Stephen Morris Key to Miami Upset of Notre Dame
By Kyle Kensing
Sept 29, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Stephen Morris (17) drops back to pass during a game against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Sun Life Stadium. Miami won 44-37. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE
Notre Dame is 4-0 for the first time in over a decade and ranked in the top 10, but Miami has a key to upset the Fighting Irish: quarterback Stephen Morris.
A Hurricane upset would usher in an exciting new era of one of the hottest rivalries during the 1980s and early 1990s. However, Miami is a two-touchdown underdog per most Las Vegas odds makers, and with good reason.
The Hurricanes have needed valiant rallies and fourth quarter finishes in all three of their ACC wins over opponents who, thus far, have underwhelmed: Georgia Tech, Boston College and NC State. Those three combined to score 105 points on a young Hurricane defense, which suggests Miami is the elixir the Fighting Irish offense needs to jump start.
Miami head coach Al Golden raved about the possibilities of Notre Dame’s offense, which hasn’t had a break out since leaving 50 on the scoreboard in Dublin, Ire. It would seem it’s only a matter of time until the Fighting Irish started firing.
“Six different receivers, three tight ends, three running backs. Their tight end [Tyler Eifert] is as good as anyone in the country, if not the best. Offensive line is rugged,” Golden said. “They’re smart, they’re really athletic, and we’re ready for either [Everett] Golson or [Tommy] Rees at quarterback.”
But what Miami brings into Chicago’s Soldier Field today is the most, if not first, well-balanced offensive attack Notre Dame has seen this season.
The Fighting Irish defense is among college football’s best. No opponent has reached 20 points against the Fighting Irish this season, thanks to the tone set by linebacker Manti Te’o.
“[I] can’t tell you how impressed I am with them. Really strong and rugged up front, 3-4 alignment, [Louis] Nix at the nose is a load to handle,” Golden said. “Linebackers are all big. Te’o in the middle is as good as advertised, holds it all together, and does a great job running the operation for them. ”
Notre Dame has also faced four offenses with varying issues. Michigan is addressing the square peg/round hole issues of Denard Robinson running Al Borges’ offense, and running back Fitzgerald Toussaint has yet to get going. The Wolverines have been supremely one dimensional, which Notre Dame exploited.
Michigan State is another one dimensional offense built exclusively on the offense, behind powerful Le’Veon Bell. Andrew Maxwell and a refurbished receiving corps made for an easy game plan. Purdue had yet to settle on a quarterback when the Boilermakers came to South Bend, and Caleb TerBush’s rust was apparent. Moreover, TerBush has never shown the explosiveness Morris has exhibited in coordinator’s Jedd Fisch scheme.
Morris is coming off an ACC passing record 566 yards against an NC State secondary that was college football’s best at forcing turnovers a season ago. If there’s any issue the stingy Notre Dame defense may have, it’s in the secondary. Expect Morris to attack early.
He’ll need to to spread out that front seven Golden commended. Notre Dame is allowing only 3.3 yards per carry, and ranks in the top 30 against the rush despite having faced three primarily rush-based teams. Extending the field is crucial if Miami is to open gaps for senior Mike James and freshman Duke Johnson, who have combined for 637 yards on the ground.
A fast start is also key for Miami. Against Boston College and Georgia Tech, the Hurricanes fell behind and had to rally. The Notre Dame defense is much too good to allow a team to come back, similar to when the ‘Canes traveled to Manhattan and were blown out by Kansas State.
It’s a long shot, and Morris must play an error-free game. But should he lead a Miami upset, the moniker “Convicts” can be applied to The U. once more, because it will have committed a robbery.