It's official now. After some speculation that he called WVU coaches to let them know about his commitment to Miami, Coach Aubrey Hill received a phone call roughly around 8pm Monday night and it was Travis Williams on the other side. Williams said he was ready and pulled a trigger. Coach Shannon had expressed that if Williams was to commit he didn't want him taking any other visits. Williams agreed he didn't need to make any.
Great pick up by the Canes.
GO CANES!!!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Rumor Mill - Travis Williams Commits
Rumors are that 6'2, 189lb linebacker out of Virginia Travis Williams was telling recruiting services that he was going to commit to Miami this week. Today more rumors swirl, this time saying he called West Virginia and told their coaches that he's comitting to Miami.
He's a 4 star linebacker who holds offers from LSU, FLorida, Virginia Tech, and Notre Dame...amongst others. No film on him yet through public domains, but from what I've seen he has the frame to put on weight and after a year or two in the program, especially if he redshirts, he should be able to come in and help out immediately.
We'll post film on all our recruits that are committed within the next few weeks, if available, and we'll have a post UCF game wrap up.
Thanks for reading and Go Canes!
He's a 4 star linebacker who holds offers from LSU, FLorida, Virginia Tech, and Notre Dame...amongst others. No film on him yet through public domains, but from what I've seen he has the frame to put on weight and after a year or two in the program, especially if he redshirts, he should be able to come in and help out immediately.
We'll post film on all our recruits that are committed within the next few weeks, if available, and we'll have a post UCF game wrap up.
Thanks for reading and Go Canes!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
UCF Game Preview
Saturday should be an interesting night game for us. After all, we are 4-0 in night games this year. But it's a bit different than most night games. We are traveling up to Orlando and playing the UCF Knights. They have a small, on campus stadium of 45k that has been known to get loud (and have fantastic tailgating by all accounts). It's sure to be an emotional game for UCF, seeing as they are 0-19 against top 25 teams since becoming a Division 1 program, they'll be hungry. We are an instate school and one of the Big 3. Their fans are doing a whole lot of chirping and we are sure their team is posturing with some of this faux-pseudo confidence too. But hey, any given week any one team can beat any other team, so it should be a good test for us.
Last year, we beat UCF 20-14, but the score was not indicative of the game. UCF did a whole lot of nothing that entire game, scoring on a kickoff return and an interception return for a TD. Long gone is their fantastic kickoff returner and cornerback Joe Burnett, as is most of their secondary. They are very green and inexperienced on the secondary as a whole.
Their defense is by no means exceptional and although they do have some experience, they are by no means strong. They are ranked 51st, despite playing sub par competition at best. They are 95th against the pass and 15th against the run. Despite their high ranking on run defense, I expect us to run for over 125 yards on them. They have little depth and have padded their statistics against no name teams.
On offense they are ranked 100th. They are lead by Brett Hodges, who has completed 61.6% of his passes, but has thrown for 6 TDs and 6 ints. He does appear to be an accurate QB, just seems to struggle with some of his decision making.
Their rush offense is ranked 83rd. Brynn Harvey leads the way with a 4.2 yard per average carry and 536 yards rushing on the season with 6 TDs. He should be easy to bottle up behind a weak offensive line. I would expect 2-3 TFL and an average day at best for him.
Their passing offense is ranked 84th and is led by Rocky Ross and Kamar Aiken, with 17 and 11 catches respectively and are nothing to write home about, and between DVD and Harris, it should be easy to keep them from getting separation and allowing our defensive line a chance to get sacks and force poor throws.
When it's all said and done we expect UCF to hang around for the first quarter or so purely on emotion until Miami's superior speed, talent, and coaching allow us to pull away and coast for another victory.
Our Prediction:
Miami 35
UCF 16
Last year, we beat UCF 20-14, but the score was not indicative of the game. UCF did a whole lot of nothing that entire game, scoring on a kickoff return and an interception return for a TD. Long gone is their fantastic kickoff returner and cornerback Joe Burnett, as is most of their secondary. They are very green and inexperienced on the secondary as a whole.
Their defense is by no means exceptional and although they do have some experience, they are by no means strong. They are ranked 51st, despite playing sub par competition at best. They are 95th against the pass and 15th against the run. Despite their high ranking on run defense, I expect us to run for over 125 yards on them. They have little depth and have padded their statistics against no name teams.
On offense they are ranked 100th. They are lead by Brett Hodges, who has completed 61.6% of his passes, but has thrown for 6 TDs and 6 ints. He does appear to be an accurate QB, just seems to struggle with some of his decision making.
Their rush offense is ranked 83rd. Brynn Harvey leads the way with a 4.2 yard per average carry and 536 yards rushing on the season with 6 TDs. He should be easy to bottle up behind a weak offensive line. I would expect 2-3 TFL and an average day at best for him.
Their passing offense is ranked 84th and is led by Rocky Ross and Kamar Aiken, with 17 and 11 catches respectively and are nothing to write home about, and between DVD and Harris, it should be easy to keep them from getting separation and allowing our defensive line a chance to get sacks and force poor throws.
When it's all said and done we expect UCF to hang around for the first quarter or so purely on emotion until Miami's superior speed, talent, and coaching allow us to pull away and coast for another victory.
Our Prediction:
Miami 35
UCF 16
Monday, October 12, 2009
Game Breakdown and Injuries
QB
Jacory started off throwing 2 interceptions early in the game, but settled down. After playing about a half of football, AJ took over for him. He went 3 for 3, and had a beautiful throw to Streeter, but that was pretty much it. Not a lot to be happy about, but still a solid outing where we threw for over 250 yards.
Score 7 and 1/2
Oline
When you rush for 224 yards, you did your job up front in the trenches. We did give up a couple sacks, but that's not completely on the line. We rotated a lot more players in as well, so the experience factor counts for a lot as well.
Score 8 and 1/2
RB
No Coop, and Baby J got only one carry, but Berry and Chambers picked up the slack. Berry especially, by running for 162 yards on 14 carries. They also did a nice job in pass protection. All in all, with no real breakdowns or fumbles, you have to be satisfied with the performance.
Score 9
WR
A heavy rotation, and a new leading receiver (for this game at least) in Tommy Streeter who had 3 catches for 55 yards. Lots of new faces and redshirt freshman that played and got valuable experience. No major breakdowns, and good downfield blocking as well.
Score 8 and 1/2
TE
Not much production from them since the gameplan was run heavy, but Jimmy Graham did add on another TD catch. Even John Calhoun got some playing time, so this was just another position where we looked to give our backups some playing time.
Score 8
Dline
We did a good job of putting pressure on the QB, penetrating, and stoping the run. You really can't ask for much more, especially after being our 3-4 defensive lineman that get heavy playing time in the rotation.
Score 8 and 1/2.
Linebackers
Still missed a few tackles, but overall we played well. We need to see Spence keep improving and reaching last year's form. It would also be nice to see someone replace Sharpton. He still misses a few too many tackles and shoots the gaps wrong.
Score 7 and 1/2
Defensive Backs
We had a nice interception by Brandon and we held them to under 150 yards passing. Even Ray Ray got in with a big hit (that was flagged for a helmet to helmet, which is a bad call). Pretty much what you want to see out of your secondary, especially in a big game like this.
Score 9
Special Teams
We neutralized the return game of one of the better returners in the country, got good hang time and distance on our kicks, and even returned a punt for a touchdown, our first since Cooper did it in last year's home and season opener against Charleston Southern.
Score 9
Coaching
On a body bag game where we want to make sure we don't develop rust, put up points in a hurry, and get valuable experience to our backups, the gameplan was simple and done properly.
Score 8
Injuries
Rumors are going around that Forston, while injured, is lost for the year. This doesn't appear to be true.
Aldarius Johnson has a severe shoulder injury, and he might be gone for the year. Hopefully he can apply for a medical redshirt.
Josh Holmes also suffered a lower leg injury, and he won't play next week. He'll be evaluated on a weekly basis.
Jordan Futch is also gone for the year, rumors say torn ACL.
Finally Randy Phillips, Olivier Vernon, and Cooper should all be back next week for UCF.
As always thanks for reading and Go Canes!
Jacory started off throwing 2 interceptions early in the game, but settled down. After playing about a half of football, AJ took over for him. He went 3 for 3, and had a beautiful throw to Streeter, but that was pretty much it. Not a lot to be happy about, but still a solid outing where we threw for over 250 yards.
Score 7 and 1/2
Oline
When you rush for 224 yards, you did your job up front in the trenches. We did give up a couple sacks, but that's not completely on the line. We rotated a lot more players in as well, so the experience factor counts for a lot as well.
Score 8 and 1/2
RB
No Coop, and Baby J got only one carry, but Berry and Chambers picked up the slack. Berry especially, by running for 162 yards on 14 carries. They also did a nice job in pass protection. All in all, with no real breakdowns or fumbles, you have to be satisfied with the performance.
Score 9
WR
A heavy rotation, and a new leading receiver (for this game at least) in Tommy Streeter who had 3 catches for 55 yards. Lots of new faces and redshirt freshman that played and got valuable experience. No major breakdowns, and good downfield blocking as well.
Score 8 and 1/2
TE
Not much production from them since the gameplan was run heavy, but Jimmy Graham did add on another TD catch. Even John Calhoun got some playing time, so this was just another position where we looked to give our backups some playing time.
Score 8
Dline
We did a good job of putting pressure on the QB, penetrating, and stoping the run. You really can't ask for much more, especially after being our 3-4 defensive lineman that get heavy playing time in the rotation.
Score 8 and 1/2.
Linebackers
Still missed a few tackles, but overall we played well. We need to see Spence keep improving and reaching last year's form. It would also be nice to see someone replace Sharpton. He still misses a few too many tackles and shoots the gaps wrong.
Score 7 and 1/2
Defensive Backs
We had a nice interception by Brandon and we held them to under 150 yards passing. Even Ray Ray got in with a big hit (that was flagged for a helmet to helmet, which is a bad call). Pretty much what you want to see out of your secondary, especially in a big game like this.
Score 9
Special Teams
We neutralized the return game of one of the better returners in the country, got good hang time and distance on our kicks, and even returned a punt for a touchdown, our first since Cooper did it in last year's home and season opener against Charleston Southern.
Score 9
Coaching
On a body bag game where we want to make sure we don't develop rust, put up points in a hurry, and get valuable experience to our backups, the gameplan was simple and done properly.
Score 8
Injuries
Rumors are going around that Forston, while injured, is lost for the year. This doesn't appear to be true.
Aldarius Johnson has a severe shoulder injury, and he might be gone for the year. Hopefully he can apply for a medical redshirt.
Josh Holmes also suffered a lower leg injury, and he won't play next week. He'll be evaluated on a weekly basis.
Jordan Futch is also gone for the year, rumors say torn ACL.
Finally Randy Phillips, Olivier Vernon, and Cooper should all be back next week for UCF.
As always thanks for reading and Go Canes!
Friday, October 9, 2009
Great Pictures from Northwestern vs Central!!!
Courtesy of Joseph Casal Photography...
Brandon Gainer(left), Jeffrey Godfrey(right)
Jose Jose
Rashad Gaitor
Coach Shannon with Joe Rose
Canes from left to right: Javarris James, Kayne Farquharson, Sam Shields, Ray Ray Armstrong, Brandon McGee, Graig Cooper, Thearon Collier, Brandon Harris, Davon Johnson, DVD
Coaches: Aubrey Hill(left), Michael Barrow(Center), Clint Hurtt(Right)
Corvin Lamb(left), Teddy Bridgewater(Center), Michaelee Harris(Right)...Future Canes?
Brandon Gainer(left), Jeffrey Godfrey(right)
Jose Jose
Rashad Gaitor
Coach Shannon with Joe Rose
Canes from left to right: Javarris James, Kayne Farquharson, Sam Shields, Ray Ray Armstrong, Brandon McGee, Graig Cooper, Thearon Collier, Brandon Harris, Davon Johnson, DVD
Coaches: Aubrey Hill(left), Michael Barrow(Center), Clint Hurtt(Right)
Corvin Lamb(left), Teddy Bridgewater(Center), Michaelee Harris(Right)...Future Canes?
Rivals Northwestern, Central square off at FIU...we were there!!!
So I was at the game, on the field, press pass and all. Now thats the way to watch a game! I could not believe the atmosphere surrounding the game the whole night. For those who were complaining that coach Shannon was not at the STA game and boo hoo, he decided to bring the whole entourage. Coach Hurtt, Hill, Barrow and Shannon were there. USF coach Jim Leavitt was there as well, along with a couple of his assistant coaches. What was really impressive was the amount of Canes that were there. Not just ex-Northwestern players, but guys like Ray Ray, Brandon McGee, Brandon Harris, Javarris James, Sam Shields, Travis Benjamin, Graig Cooper and a few more. Too many to name. A few NFL guys showed up as well. Vernon Carey was among them along with Jeff George.
It was nice to see our guys come out and support the local high school football movement, whether they played for the teams at one point or not. Their relationships extend outside the football field. That shows me the camaraderie these players have. I was very impressed and excited to see all these guys out there.
On to the game. We did not stick around for the whole game, but we did notice talent all over the field. Some players who stood out for boths teams were; for Central, QB Jeffrey Godfrey, RB Brandon Gainer and WR's Charles Gaines and Joshua Reese. For Northwestern; QB Teddy Bridgewater, RB Corvin Lamb, WR Michaelee Harris, DB Khambrel McGee, LB Rashad Gaitor, DT Todd Chandler and more. Central seemed to be in control of what was a very sloppy game. They started off quick taking a 14-2 lead into the half. But penalties caught up to them and the Bulls led by Teddy Bridgewater and Michaelee Harris came roaring back to score 20 unanswered points. Harris had 9 receptions for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sprinkle in a rushing touchdown from Corvin Lamb and that we all she wrote. The Bull defense led by DT Todd Chandler and LB Rashad Gaitor took over the rest of the way, keeping Godfrey and the Central offense out of the endzone. Final score 22-14. Player of the game according to ESPN 2 and deservingly so was Michaelee Harris.
Next week we will be covering another big game involving once again Northwestern as they take on Jahkari Gore and Columbus.
Pictures from last night's game will be up shortly. We have some great photo's so stay tuned for that.
Don't forget tomorrow at 7pm, our Canes take on FAMU at Landshark Stadium. Be sure to make it out and support the Canes. After the game the amazing FAMU band will be performing a 15 minute concert on the field. Stick around for that. Should be a great performance.
Thanks for reading....
GO CANES!!!
It was nice to see our guys come out and support the local high school football movement, whether they played for the teams at one point or not. Their relationships extend outside the football field. That shows me the camaraderie these players have. I was very impressed and excited to see all these guys out there.
On to the game. We did not stick around for the whole game, but we did notice talent all over the field. Some players who stood out for boths teams were; for Central, QB Jeffrey Godfrey, RB Brandon Gainer and WR's Charles Gaines and Joshua Reese. For Northwestern; QB Teddy Bridgewater, RB Corvin Lamb, WR Michaelee Harris, DB Khambrel McGee, LB Rashad Gaitor, DT Todd Chandler and more. Central seemed to be in control of what was a very sloppy game. They started off quick taking a 14-2 lead into the half. But penalties caught up to them and the Bulls led by Teddy Bridgewater and Michaelee Harris came roaring back to score 20 unanswered points. Harris had 9 receptions for 133 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sprinkle in a rushing touchdown from Corvin Lamb and that we all she wrote. The Bull defense led by DT Todd Chandler and LB Rashad Gaitor took over the rest of the way, keeping Godfrey and the Central offense out of the endzone. Final score 22-14. Player of the game according to ESPN 2 and deservingly so was Michaelee Harris.
Next week we will be covering another big game involving once again Northwestern as they take on Jahkari Gore and Columbus.
Pictures from last night's game will be up shortly. We have some great photo's so stay tuned for that.
Don't forget tomorrow at 7pm, our Canes take on FAMU at Landshark Stadium. Be sure to make it out and support the Canes. After the game the amazing FAMU band will be performing a 15 minute concert on the field. Stick around for that. Should be a great performance.
Thanks for reading....
GO CANES!!!
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