Defense Responds, Williams Sparks Offense Late. Canes Win, 16-12!

The Canes came into this game needing to win to keep their season from completely dismantling. While the hopes of playing for the ACC Championship game seem slim, there is still a slight hope that a win today could help build momentum for the rest of the season(we thought that after Virginia also). N’Kosi Perry was named the quarterback late this week ahead of today’s game against the University of Pittsburgh, but it was Jarren Williams who finished it.

Williams was still nursing an upper extremity injury during the week, which apparently led to coach Manny Diaz naming Perry the starter. While many people outside the program continue to call for Perry to remain the starter or even for Tate Martell to get a chance(Martell did not travel with the team due to a medical leave of absence), today’s game showed why Jarren Williams may still be the best option at quarterback for the Canes. Williams showed a lot of toughness on that drive and zip on the touchdown throw for the game-winning score. If you ask me, I think that the shoulder looks fine.

That Was Ugly

It was an ugly win. The offense for 90 percent of the game was atrocious, but 10 percent was all we needed. The biggest play of the afternoon came when Jarren Williams replaced the struggling N’Kosi Perry and led them down the field and threw a 32-yard touchdown strike to KJ Osborn with less than a minute remaining on the clock in the fourth quarter.

IT'S. NOT. OVER. UNTIL. IT'S. OVER. @CanesFootball takes the lead with less than a minute remaining 😱 pic.twitter.com/Abged7unLE

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) October 26, 2019

Perry’s stat line does not look very good. He finished 10/24 for 104 yards and an interception. Williams came in for the final 2 drives and finished the day 4/8 for 50 yards including the 32-yard touchdown pass to Osborn. Osborn had a solid game finishing with 6 catches for 94 yards and the touchdown grab.

The only other guy on offense that was productive was Cam Harris, who always runs hard. He finished the game with 16 carries for 60 yards and a score. The absence of Deejay Dallas was sorely felt. The Canes hope to have him back next week.

The Defense Responds

The defense responded in a big way today, with what I believe was their best game of the season. They made big plays when they needed to and held Pitt to just 12 points on 4 field goals. Defensive end Gregory Rousseau continues to dominate for the Canes. He finished the game with 7 total tackles and 3 sacks!

.@Greg_R5 with his third sack of the day! pic.twitter.com/8NykSlBbkY

— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) October 26, 2019

The big bounceback of the game was unquestionably the play of DJ Ivey. After multiple blunders last week against Georgia Tech, including the complete whiff on the receiver during the fake punt that resulted in a touchdown, Ivey picked off the Pitt quarterback twice! He finished with 2 tackles and the 2 interceptions.

Miami Linebacker Zach McCloud gets the tip and CB DJ Ivey gets the INT for the Canes!!! pic.twitter.com/gqwkwLfGL6

— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) October 26, 2019

Others that played well on defense were Jon Ford, Pat Bethel, Bubba Bolden with a forced fumble and Gurvan Hall with the fumble recovery. Shaq Quarterman also had a very good game, finishing the afternoon with 12 total tackles. Guys were having fun on the sidelines today.

AH, GO CRAZY 🕺 pic.twitter.com/y7zYP3pbJb

— ESPN (@espn) October 26, 2019

The Price is Right

Did the Canes find a kicker in walk-on third-string kicker Camden Price? It seems like it. Price connected on both of his kicks and as sad as this sounds, looked really good doing so. Both kicks were nothing out of this world, but the way our kicking has been, this kid looked like an All-American doing it. He connected on a 22-yard field and an extra point. Price has a strong leg and looks to be kicking with confidence. We all have seen what a lack of confidence can do to a kicker.

Hey, Camden Price can kick.

— Andrew Ivins (@Andrew_Ivins) October 26, 2019

FSU Week is Here

Now, it’s rivalry week. It’s FSU week! The Canes go to Tallahassee to face FSU next Saturday. Game time should be announced soon. Look for it to be either a 3:30 pm or 7:30 pm start. More info as the week progresses.

Follow us for all your Canes info at @CaneMaven. You can also follow Jazz Santana for Canes and 5 Reason Sports news and info at @jazzsantana.

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