McCloud sticking to his redshirt plan

PITTSBURGH — Miami Hurricanes senior linebacker Zach McCloud on Saturday played what would be his final game of the 2019 season if he is to follow through with his plan to redshirt this season to retain a final year of eligibility in order to come back next season.

Not getting into a game since Miami’s Week 3 win against Bethune-Cookman, McCloud contributed to a defensive effort that kept Pittsburgh out of the end zone in a 16-12 win at Heinz Field on Saturday afternoon.

“Emotionally, it was a tough decision to make to not finish out the season with the team,” said McCloud, who had five tackles and a pass deflection that led to a DJ Ivey interception. “When I got the chance today to go out on the field and just play my heart out for them, it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life.”

McCloud filled in for injured senior linebacker Michael Pinckney, who did not travel with the team for Saturday’s win.

Using the final game of the four he’s allowed to maintain a redshirt, McCloud sounded intent on shutting things down for the remainder of the season. If he doesn’t play another game this season, he can return for a redshirt senior season next year and lead what would be a very inexperienced group of linebackers.

“I’m sticking with the decision, but now I have something to look back [on] and go back and work on,” said McCloud, a Santaluces High grad. “I’m just looking forward to what I can do with the team next year.”

UM coach Manny Diaz wasn’t as certain but was inclined to believe McCloud won’t play again this season to burn the redshirt.

“Assuming that we don’t need him,” Diaz said, “I would say yes.”

In addition to what he can add to a young linebacker corps, there’s selfimprovement McCloud feels he can achieve with another year of college.

“I’m just trying to accomplish being the greatest me I can be before I take the next step,” McCloud said. “I don’t want to leave anything on the table.”

McCloud was emotional answering questions about how sticking through with the plan would mean he can’t play next week at Florida State and that it would be his last game alongside senior Shaq Quarterman.

“Last in college,” he interjected before answering. “I don’t want to leave that possibility out [of playing together in the NFL].

“I’ve been living with Shaq since we both got to college. Playing and fighting with each other on the field, I’ve experienced some of the most growth in my life by bouncing off of each other and our relationship. So it definitely pains me that this may be our last game in college together, but [I’m] just praying for his success.”

Dallas misses game: The Hurricanes were without junior running back DeeJay Dallas at Pittsburgh because of the knee injury that caused him to leave last week’s loss to Georgia Tech prematurely.

Dallas was on the field, testing the knee with a black pad over it pregame but did not play. He provided support from the sideline during the win.

The Hurricanes relied on sophomore Cam’Ron Harris to shoulder the running back workload against the Panthers. Harris, who had a career-high 136 rushing yards plus 31 receiving and a touchdown versus Georgia Tech, made his first career start Saturday and finished with 60 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.

Chain of events: The Hurricanes were back to creating turnovers in the first half of Saturday’s game — something they haven’t done as much in recent weeks.

Miami had its first multitakeaway game since Sept. 21 against Central Michigan. Ivey had two first-half interceptions. In between them, Gurvan Hall picked up a fumble recovery that Bubba Bolden forced.

New starters: Bolden made his first start with the Hurricanes since transferring from USC, opening up alongside Robert Knowles at safety.

Al Blades Jr. started at cornerback for Ivey after Ivey gave up two touchdowns in the previous week’s loss to Georgia Tech. Ivey did get some redemption with the two interceptions.

Wide receiver Dee Wiggins remained a starter on offense against Pitt as junior Jeff Thomas served the second game of a two-game suspension for violation of team rules.

Pitt’s Broward County products: A major contributor to Pitt’s national lead in sacks (36) entering Saturday is a Deerfield Beach High grad, sophomore defensive end Deslin Alexandre. Alexandre went into Saturday fourth on the team with 4 1⁄2 sacks.

“It’s cool to play people [from] back home,” Alexandre told Pittsburgh media this past week. “It’s here [in Pittsburgh], so it’s not like I’m back home.”

He added that the UM roster has players he faced in high school, but no one with whom he necessarily has a close relationship.

Pitt’s defensive front has been doing its damage without another standout Broward County product.

Earlier this season, the Panthers lost defensive end Rashad Weaver to a knee injury. Weaver, who led Pitt in sacks and tackles for a loss a year ago, came out of Cooper City High.