Defense gets the upper hand in Miami Hurricanes' scrimmage

In UM's first open spring scrimmage, the defense dominated with seven sacks and three picks. But the tailbacks also dazzled.

The estimated 3,000 fans at Fort Lauderdale's Lockhart Stadium likely came to see a quarterback show.

What they got, for much of Thursday night, was a ferocious defensive performance interspersed with explosive runs in the University of Miami's first open spring scrimmage.

In nearly 100 plays, UM's defense had seven sacks (three by end Andrew Smith), three interceptions (two by safety Vaughn Telemaque) and a fumble recovery of a muffed snap.

Not to be outdone: tailback speedsters Lamar Miller and Storm Johnson, both of whom dazzled fans with breakaway sprints.

Johnson, a 6-0, 212-pound freshman who graduated high school early to take part in spring practice, had 10 carries for 104 yards and a 6-yard touchdown. He also had gains of 52 and 29 yards.

Miller, a 5-11, 205-pound redshirt freshman, had seven carries for 63 yards and two touchdowns, including a 44-yard charge down the middle of the field.

``Pretty good day today,'' coach Randy Shannon said. ``We got a lot of physical work in, a lot of runs. Kind of pleased with the running backs. They keep improving every week.

``Early, the defensive line -- Micanor [Regis], Curtis [Porter] and Allen [Bailey] -- they were really hitting the running backs, stuffing them. It looked like it would be a tough day for them. But the one thing I like about the running backs is they were patient enough to keep going, keep fighting.''

Besides Smith, ends Adewale Ojomo, Bailey, linebacker Tyrone Cornelius and tackle Micanor Regis each had one sack apiece.

Walk-on cornerback Nathan Gholston had the other interception, and safety Ray-Ray Armstrong had the fumble recovery.

UM's three quarterbacks -- starter Jacory Harris is out recuperating from thumb surgery -- were hampered by the absence of starting linemen Orlando Franklin, Joel Figueroa and Brandon Washington. But Shannon said he didn't think they were particularly impressive nonetheless.

``We have lots of guys out on the offensive line, but our defense really showed up.''

Quarterback A.J. Highsmith by far played the most. He completed seven of 11 passes for 94 yards and an 8-yard touchdown to Travis Benjamin. At one point he had consecutive completions of 24 yards (Leonard Hankerson), 11 (Aldarius Johnson) and 11 (Hankerson).

Highsmith later rolled left to avoid a blitz for a 13-yard touchdown keeper. But he also struggled with all three interceptions.

Quarterback Stephen Morris got sacked by Tyrone Cornelius and Adewale Ojomo the two times he was set to pass during his initial series. He was 0 for 3.

ON A LEARNING CURVE
And quarterback Spencer Whipple, the left-handed son of offensive coordinator Mark Whipple, completed seven of nine passes for 75 yards. He led the drive in which Miller scored.

``The quarterbacks didn't do very well [Thursday night],'' Shannon said. ``Too many turnovers. But they're learning. That's the one thing good about spring football. They're getting a lot of reps to learn from their mistakes.

``A.J. was up and down. He threw a pick, but then he came back with a nice play on third down and long to Aldarius. He executed, and when we went to no huddle they came downfield and they scored. That shows they have the knowledge to do it.''

Aldarius Johnson caught three passes for 45 yards, including the 24-yarder thrown by Highsmith that led to Highsmith's score. Hankerson had two catches for 35 yards, but dropped at least one. Storm Johnson added two catches for 14 yards.

GOOD SHOWING
``Aldarius showed up tonight,'' Shannon said. ``One thing I liked about the receivers was that they blocked the safeties. When we had those big runs they were getting on to the safeties very hard.''

The Hurricanes are off until March 23 for spring break.

Running back Damien Berry (hamstring) did not participate. Also not participating with a hamstring injury: cornerback Brandon Harris.