Miami O-line aims to improve
CORAL GABLES — Through the course of Miami’s three-game losing streak, Mark Richt has been adamant: there is no single player or position group responsible for the Hurricanes’ offensive woes.
Highly touted skill players including Brad Kaaya, Stacy Coley and Mark Walton have echoed their coach’s sentiments, taking responsibility for their individual play and stressing the need to execute.
But as is often the case when a quarterback gets sacked eight times and a running game sputters, questions arise about one group in particular: the offensive line. And as the Hurricanes prepare to head to South Bend, Ind., to face historic rival Notre Dame on Saturday afternoon, those players are being especially critical of themselves, even if their teammates and coaches haven’t been.
“As an offensive line, I think we need to play more nasty,” said right guard Danny Isidora.
“We’re our own worst enemy. There’s a lot of stuff we can fix,” added center Nick Linder.
The Hurricanes (4-3) have struggled since moving into the heart of their ACC schedule.
While they were within striking distance late against in their losses to both Florida State and North Carolina, things slipped away early in the second half against Virginia Tech last Thursday, and the Hokies’ defense feasted on a Hurricanes offense that struggled.
Kaaya was sacked eight times. Miami’s running game managed just 42 rushing yards. And Miami converted on just 3 of 15 thirddown opportunities in what was a 37-16 loss.
Although Kaaya has shouldered much of the blame for the Hurricanes’ offensive struggles, his linemen say that ultimately isn’t his responsibility.
“I put that on us. I wouldn’t put it on Brad,” said Isidora, who has started 32 consecutive games for Miami and is the veteran that most often earns praise for his consistency. “It’s not his job.”
So what will the Hurricanes’ offensive line have to do to turn things around, especially against a Notre Dame (2-5) team that has been allowing an average of 400 yards and 28 points per game? A little bit of everything.
Isidora said he and his teammates have to be more physical. Linder noted the energy in practice has been more intense early this week than it has been of late.