’Canes look to ’18 after Orange Bowl loss
MIAMI GARDENS — As the locker room emptied out after the Miami Hurricanes’ disappointing loss to Wisconsin in the Orange Bowl, receiver Braxton Berrios emotionally reflected on his four-year career and the growth he’d seen from the Miami program since his arrival in Coral Gables.
And steps away, freshman quarterback N’Kosi Perry — widely expected to compete for the Hurricanes’ starting job next year — discussed the future and Miami’s potential moving forward after a memorable season. It was a moment that seemed to capture the Hurricanes’ Orange Bowl experience in a nutshell.
A night that started with so much promise for Berrios and the Hurricanes veterans as Miami jumped to an early 11-point lead ended in frustration as Wisconsin rallied for a 34-24 win, leaving the Hurricanes thinking about what could have been — and what they can build on after completing their first 10-victory season since 2003.
“It was very successful in a lot of ways,” Hurricanes coach Mark Richt said after the loss, Miami’s third in a row to end the season. “I think our program is definitely moving in the direction we want it to move. I think we definitely got better. … We beat Florida State for the first time in a long time, and I don’t care what people say about their record and all that kind of thing, when you can’t beat your rival for that long, it usually takes some type of extraordinary day to get it done and we got it done under a lot of pressure. It was very gratifying to do that.
“And then winning the Coastal Division, which had never been done here, at least to the point where Miami ever represented the Coastal Division in the ACC Championship Game. That was something new, something we strived for, something we attained. … We know we’re hungry for more and I can tell by looking at the yes of our team that the guys that are coming back are going to be excited about taking it one step further next year.”
Richt, who is known for his typically mild-mannered demeanor, lost his cool just before halftime of Saturday’s game and made contact with an official after arguing that officials missed a holding call that eventually led to a Wisconsin score. He was not ejected, though he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct moments before Wisconsin went up 24-14 on the strength of an Alex Hornibrook touchdown pass to Danny Davis. After the game, Richt apologized for his outburst — but not necessarily for getting upset at the perceived missed calls.
“I know I lost my cool, I thought rightfully so as far as being mad, but not rightfully so using some of the language I used,” Richt said. “Not particularly proud of myself there. I apologize to anybody who can read lips.”