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Gutsy Call Pays Big Dividends

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 22, 2007

CORAL GABLES - The Miami Hurricanes have had a rough season, but their 37-29 comeback victory over Florida State on Saturday definitely was a bright spot.

WHAT WENT RIGHT: Trailing 23-17 in the third quarter, special teams coach Joe Pannunzio asked Coach Randy Shannon if he wanted to run a fake field goal.

Shannon decided to run the fake and Francesco Zampogna, the starter all season, replaced Daren Daly, who won the job on Friday, for the fake field goal. Holder David Strimple tossed the ball over his head to Zampogna, who threw a left-handed pass to a wide-open DajLeon Farr for a 26-yard touchdown.

'It had to be on that hash, it had to be, and Francesco is a better thrower than Daly,' Shannon said.

Daly converted on his only field goal attempt of 44 yards and will remain the team's starting kicker.

WHAT WENT WRONG: Consistency issues plagued UM on both sides of the ball.

Miami had a hard time stopping the Florida State offense for much of the game, but did come up big in the fourth quarter, allowing just a field goal - their fifth of the game.

QB Kirby Freeman was 1-for-8 passing with two picks before guiding the team down the field on the final drive, completing all three passes.

INJURY UPDATE: The status of QB Kyle Wright's ankle and knee is unknown. WR Lance Leggett and CB Glenn Sharpe, who did not play against FSU, will be re-evaluated before the Canes' next game.

CHALLENGE AHEAD: Miami, 5-3 on the season (2-2 in the ACC), is off this week, then hosts North Carolina State on Nov. 3.

Christopher Stock

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