Mike Kern: So far, Miami proving the doubters wrong
MANY FOLKS figured Miami was on the way back. But it wasn't necessarily supposed to happen this season. And it still might not. Because former Hurricanes linebacker Randy Shannon inherited such a messy situation 3 years ago. Plus, his team's opening four games are all against ranked opponents, which is more than some name programs face during an entire schedule.
Yet here UM is, at 2-0, having beaten Florida State on the road and Georgia Tech at home. On Saturday, they're at No. 11 Virginia Tech (2-1) in a matchup that could decide the Atlantic Coast Conference's Coastal Division. And who else ever started with three straight divisional foes?
Oklahoma visits next week.
The Hurricanes were 35th in your preseason poll. Now they are ninth, their first Top 10 appearance since the final vote of the 2005 season.
Shannon won a ring as a player and got two more as an assistant coach. The Hurricanes captured a title in 2001, and nearly earned two others before things turned ugly for Larry Coker.
And doesn't college football seem more pertinent when certain schools, whether you despise them or not, are a factor?
Shannon went 5-7 his first season after starting 4-1. Last year, UM lost its final three (including the Emerald Bowl, to California) to finish 7-6.
So the last thing Shannon needed was a rough September.
Remember, this is a guy whose first decision was to remove player names from their uniforms, which wasn't exactly a ratings hit. Then he had to endure the slaying of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, a former UM standout.
Shannon already has had a handful of recruits transfer. And he's fired two coordinators. His original contract hasn't been renewed. A year ago, a national publication ranked him last among BCS coaches.
Under the guidance of offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, who spent last season on the Eagles' staff, quarterback Jacory Harris has looked downright Heisman-worthy after sharing time a year ago with the departed Robert Marve. Obviously, it's way early, but the sophomore is on pace to erase Bernie Kosar's single-season school passing-yardage record of 3,642, which has stood for 25 years, and Steve Walsh's high of 28 touchdown passes, established in 1988.
"We are very humble," Harris said. "We understand we have other teams at hand we have to beat.
"In order to stay undefeated, you have to win the next game."
Questions remain. But at least for the time being, the buzz has returned. Nice sound.
Trivial pursuit
The last time Washington beat a No. 3 team at home, who was its quarterback? Hint: Two years later, he was the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year before playing eight seasons in the NFL with Dallas, Kansas City and Denver. See "Answer man."
Helping hand
Widener plays its home opener against Frostburg State (0-3) on Saturday afternoon. And the Pride will take part in Coach to Cure MD, a nationwide project designed to build awareness about muscular dystrophy and raise money to support researchers attempting to find a treatment and cure.
"We are very proud . . . to be associated with something as important as this," coach David Wood said. "We've been fortunate to take part in other functions, including the bone-marrow testing drive, and this is something else we can say we accomplished."
William Foster, who has MD, will be the honorary captain.
