Richt expects ’Canes to be sharper

Entering their game against Toledo, the Miami Hurricanes expected conditioning might be an issue.

Because ofHurricane Irma, No.14 Miami hadn’t played since its season-opening win over Bethune-Cookman. And early theHurricanes looked like a team struggling to keep up against the Rockets on Saturday.

Toledomoved the ball quickly and veteran quarterback LoganWoodside and his receivers seemed towear down a defense that allowed 16 unanswered second-quarter points andwasn’t able to substitute aswell as coachMark Richt and defensive coordinator Manny Diaz would have liked.

Still, the Hurricanes rallied in the second half for a 52-30 win and now it’s time for Miami to set its sights on its ACC schedule, which begins Friday when the Hurricanes take on unbeaten Duke in Durham, N.C.

AndRicht says he’s confident Miami’s conditioning will continue improving as theHurricanes get back into their typical routine, even if this is a shorterweek than usual.

“Do I think we’re in as good a shape as we would have been in if we didn’t have the layoff? Probably not,” Richt said Sunday. “But the good news is we have more time to continue to get in condition. And… thisgameis going tobe an evening game, in a climate that’s not the heat and humidity that we’re used to playing in. I think that ought to help us.”

Richt said the Hurricanes were scheduled to have a light practice Sunday night and will have their typical practices on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before the team travels to Durham.

Next game: No. 14UMat Duke, Friday, 7 p.m., ESPN

Christy Cabrera Chirinos