MIAMI – Even if a win is a win, the Miami Hurricanes (2-2) ended their game against the Central Michigan Chippewas (2-2) in an ugly fashion.

Trailing 17-5, Central Michigan drove down the field deep into Miami’s red zone. And facing a fourth-and-goal situation, the Hurricanes defense forced an incomplete pass before a penalty on linebacker Michael Pinckney gave the Chippewas a fresh set of downs.

Three more penalties helped Central Michigan quarterback David Moore punch it in from one-yard out, putting his team within one score.

The penalties were just four of the season-high 13 penalties committed by the Hurricanes today, with many of those coming in critical positions. The 13 penalties totaled 93 yards.

“The most disconcerting thing, of course, was all the penalties,” Miami head coach Manny Diaz said following the game. “It wasn’t just the number of penalties, which was absurd and unacceptable, but it was the timing of the penalties. What that caused, when you talk about our offensive performance, was that our defense could not, or would not, get off the field in the first half due to penalties, both on third downs and on plays that were going to be third downs.”

The penalties, combined with a stagnant offense, were enough to allow heavy road underdog Central Michigan to dance with Miami, losing just 17-12.

The first drive of the game for the Hurricanes seemed to write a different tune from the rest of the game. They took the ball, drove down the field thanks to a big play from tight end Will Mallory, and scored on DeeJay Dallas’ fifth touchdown of the season.

“Just getting the ball out of my hands quick. Just working those quick routes, just taking what they were giving us,” quarterback Jarren Williams said about the team’s success on their scoring drives. “I felt like when we started doing that it was really good and we were executing.”

The rest of the first half wrote a much different story for the offense.
The running backs averaged under two yards per carry, Williams failed to connect with his receivers, and the offensive line allowed a safety.

All that combined for a small 7-2 Hurricanes lead going into halftime.

To start the second half, the offense began to show some more life. On the back of a 22-yard throw to Mike Harley and a 27-yard catch by Brevin Jordan, Williams found wide receiver KJ Osborn in the end zone for a 6-yard touchdown.

It was the last piece of life the Hurricanes offense showed for the night.

Over the rest of the game, the Hurricanes struggled to cross midfield and settled for two punts on their last two drives of the third quarter.

“I mean, first drive we were just trying to score. We didn’t plan for the second half to go [the way it did], we were just trying to score and it happened to turn out the way it did,” tight end Brevin Jordan said. “We didn’t have the best performance on offense.”

The Hurricanes would add a field goal in the fourth quarter, but it was the defense that mostly dominated and helped them survive a possible upset to Central Michigan.

Gregory Rousseau and Jonathan Garvin both forced turnovers and the Hurricanes defense held the Chippewas to just 31 rushing yards and 248 total yards.

“It was really cool, really a blessing,” Rousseau said about wearing the Turnover Chain. “All of the hard work that I put in after being hurt last year, I’m just so grateful. I’m just really blessed.”

The defense, however, was not without its share of mistakes.

While Miami converted just one third down out of its 10 attempts, Central Michigan converged six of its 18 attempts and even converted both of its fourth down attempts.
The Hurricanes also dropped two interceptions in costly positions.

“I think it just boils down to communication,” linebacker Shaq Quarterman, who had a career-high 14 tackles, said about the team’s play on third down. “When we communicate, when our defense communicates and we are all on the same page then we’re a very good defense.”

Next week, the Hurricanes have a bye week before starting conference play back up with a home game against Virginia Tech.

Central Michigan will travel to play Western Michigan next week.

PHOTO CREDIT: Keith Forde