Canes Regrouping Ahead Of Buckeyes Game

MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Some will point to the Miami Hurricanes' lack of players on defense as the real reason for Monday night's loss to Maryland. But Canes head coach Al Golden pinned the loss on himself and two factors, turnovers and penalties.

"I get judged on how the team performs," Golden said. "I didn't get the team to perform the way it needs to perform in terms of penalties and turnovers."

In the Maryland loss, the Canes turned the ball over four times, including a crushing fourth-quarter interception returned for a touchdown. Additionally, the Canes had ten penalties for 65 yards in the game.

Quarterback Stephen Morris filled in for Jacory Harris, who was suspended for the opener. Morris was decent, completing 19 of 28 for 195 yards and rushing for a touchdown. But his costly fourth-quarter interception sealed the victory for Maryland.

The Canes' defense was depleted, missing the heart of the defense: defensive tackle Marcus Forston; linebacker Sean Spence; and safety Ray Ray Armstrong. The Canes will get Forston and Spence back this week and will have them ready when Ohio State comes to town on September 17.

"You just got to keep moving forward," Golden said. "We'll get guys back now, and hopefully the further we get away from this game and the story breaking, we'll be able to focus on ourselves. There are no excuses. We had enough talent here tonight and we didn't do it."

The Ohio State game will be the toughest test for the Canes until a road game at Florida State on November 11. The Buckeyes blanked Akron over the weekend and look to make the Canes 0-2 by mid-September.

The Canes have 11 days to prepare for the Buckeyes. Ohio State has another cakewalk game on September 10 against Toledo. After that, Ohio State will finally begin preps for the Canes game at Sun Life Stadium.