Miami vs FIU melee

Last night during the first ever meeting of the cross-town football teams, Miami and FIU got into an ugly, bench-clearing brawl.

An ugly excuse for football.

FIU may have started the fight (and they did), but this was the last thing the Miami program needed. Going into this game, in the blue and gold side's minds, the fight was probably a foregone conclusion: most Golden Panther players resented Miami for being passed up by the school and having to settle for FIU.

This behavior may have been tolerable when we were dominating, but The U hasn't earned it this year. We pantented the swagger in the '80's, but this team hasn't earned it's use. Plus, this is FIU. They're hardly worth the trouble! Granted,

What an ugly year.

Jon Beason did put the fight in perspective, though:

“They got some lunatics over there that want to start some fights. I don’t think it was FIU wanting to start a fight, it was probably just a couple of guys messing around and they don’t know what’s going on. Then their bench goes and then our bench goes. It’s unfortunate.

“Why are you going to fight with pads on? It’s ridiculous and stupid. You know its going to hurt your hands.

“It was an extra point, the kick goes through and it’s 14-0. Okay I’m gonna take a shot at a Miami player. For what? It’s unfortunate guys got kicked out of the game, but it is all in defense. This is their national championship. To us it is another game on our schedule. From the very beginning they were throwing punches, late hits, that type of stuff trying to get us out of our game. I think that was part of their game plan, not from the coaches, but as individuals.”

But regardless of rationale, Coker lost control of a frustrated team (not that such a situation could have really been controlled at the time, but the players should have been better prepared to handle themselves). Probably another reason why he must go. We'll have to see how the rest of the season plays out as a result of this. Will this energize the 'Canes? Finally give them the focus and the fire they've lacked all season? Or will they just spiral out of control?

I think it might be time to start over, clean this year's stink off us, and reload like we're used to.