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Hurricanes blow away Appalachian State

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Many thought the Miami Hurricanes were walking into a trap at Appalachian State’s Kid Brewer Stadium on Saturday. After a near miss loss at No. 15 Tennessee in their first game, the Mountaineers were the upset special from some analysts.

The Hurricanes quickly and decisively demonstrated the folly of such prognostications as they rolled to a 45-10 romp in Boone, North Carolina. On Miami’s first play from scrimmage, Mark Walton took the handoff from Brad Kaaya and rumbled 80 yards for a touchdown.

After another Mountaineer punt on their second possession, another Hurricane touchdown followed. This one took nine plays.

Appalachian State’s third possession also ended in a punt. Miami took five plays to go 68 yards and go up 21-0 at the end of the first quarter. They led 24-3 at halftime.

The Mountaineers are primarily a running team, so comebacks from three-touchdown deficits do not fit well with their strengths. Despite a Taylor Lamb scoring toss that brought them within 24-10, Miami kept their foot on the throttle.

Kaaya threw for 362 yards on the day to lead his team.

“There is a lot of weight on his shoulders, but he handles it well,” said Miami Coach Mark Richt.

and Walton finished with 130 yards rushing and the one touchdown. Miami held the Mountaineers to only 126 yards per carry, an average of only 2.6 yards.

The Hurricanes have a week off before heading to Atlanta next Saturday to play Georgia Tech.

 

Bob Sparks is President of Ramos and Sparks Group, a Tallahassee-based business and political consulting firm. During his career, he has directed media relations and managed events for professional baseball, served as chief spokesperson for the Republican Party of Florida as well as the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Attorney General of Florida. After serving as Executive Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Charlie Crist, he returned to the private sector working with clients including the Republican National Committee and political candidates in Japan. He lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Sue and can be reached at [email protected]

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