Banged Up Defense Holding Canes Back

UM is struggling, and for once it is not the offense holding them back. Senior quarterback Jacory Harris is looking like the passer Canes fans wish he could become, rather than the mistake-prone source of worry he had been for most of the past two seasons. And running back Lamar Miller has become a freakish combination of Clinton Portis and Willis McGahee, prone to score from any spot on the field with his wizard-like ability to disappear in front of defenders. But alas, the Canes can't keep opposing opponents out of the end zone. Throw out Miami's wins over lower-division Bethune-Cookman and an Ohio State squad depleted by suspensions, and it is becoming clear that the Canes' porous defense is holding the team back. 35 points is usually more than enough to top an opponent on the road, but after the Canes took a late 35-31 lead in Blacksburg on Saturday, the Hokies moved methodically down the field in the final minutes for the go-ahead score. Head coach Al Golden fee...