Richt looking forward to facing Irish Competition benefits secondary

CORAL GABLES — Mark Richt hasn’t even been at Miami for two full seasons yet, but the Hurricanes are already a top-10 team. They have won 13 in a row and own the nation’s longest win streak among major-college football programs.

And under Richt, Miami has notched two significant victories that ended frustrating streaks for the Hurricanes, including their first bowl win in a decade and their first win over rival Florida State in eight years.

On Saturday, Richt will lead the Hurricanes in a showdown against another old rival, Notre Dame. While pride is certainly at stake, it’s a matchup that could have national-championship implications with both teams in the top 10 of the initial College Football Playoff rankings.

Every expectation is that the game — which Miami officials said is sold out except for a handful of suites — will be as significant for the program as any in years.

“It’s exciting. We talk about this is why we come here. This is why I came back to my alma mater, these types of moments, and the players, too,” Richt said Monday on WQAM-560. “You get a chance to talk to the seniors and this being their last go-round, the blessing of being on a team like this, who’s gotten this deep in the season with a significant game ahead of us. … You want to embrace the moment without getting carried away with everything that won’t help you win. You have to focus on your job.”

Next game: No. 10 Miami vs. No. 3 Notre Dame, Saturday, 8 p.m., ABC

Christy Cabrera Chirinos

Florida Atlantic safety Jalen Young thinks it’s a product of being around such a competitive environment.

The Owls’ secondary is tied with the University of South Florida with a nation-leading 18 interceptions. It is mostly because of the players constantly challenging each other in practice.

“I’ve never met a group of guys that just want to be great,” Young said. “I’ve never met a group of guys that wants on every play to be dominant. I’ve never played with a group of guys like that until these guys right here. We’re hungry. It’s a non-stop competition every week. Every down, we’re about, ‘Let’s get the ball.’ ”

Young had three interceptions in Saturday’s victory against Marshall. He now leads the team with five, which is tied for second nationally. Sophomore Chris Tooley and junior Shelton Lewis each have four picks.

The secondary is just one shy of tying the school’s single-season record with three games left in the season.

“We just fight to see who gets the most interceptions,” Lewis said. “It’s always a competition..”

The play of defensive backs is starting to spill into the other units. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair nearly came away with his first interception late against Marshall.

“The linebackers still don’t have a turnover, so I was trying to get it,” Al-Shaair said.

On the next play, Young picked off his third pass of the game to help seal the victory.

Next game: FAU at Louisiana Tech, Saturday, 3:30 p.m., ESPN3, WTCN

Shandel Richardson