Hurricanes inspired by 2016 skid

CORAL GABLES — The first four games of the Mark Richt era went pretty well for Miami. Then came a brutal four-game losing streak last October.

There was heartbreak against rival Florida State, a late blocked extra-point helping the Seminoles hang on for a 20-19 win. Then a tough call that gave North Carolina a touchdown in what was eventually a 20-13 Tar Heels win. A decimated, injury-plagued defense struggled in a 37-16 loss to Virginia Tech, and then there was the 20-point comeback effort that fell short in a 30-27 loss to Notre Dame.

The Hurricanes haven’t lost since, winning 14 in a row. Now, with two weeks still left in the regular season, the Hurricanes have clinched their first Coastal Division crown and sit at No. 3 in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Looking back, Richt now says the tough stretch last October helped shape UM into the team it is today.

“I thought that might have been the turning point of this tenure so far. How did we react when we lost four in a row? Guys could have started doubting the coaching staff and all that kind of thing, but that never really happened,” Richt said. “We did a good job of establishing team unity and work ethic and trust going into the season and then when things got rough, the adversity hit, we held up well and we started winning again.”

Safety Jaquan Johnson is one of 15 semifinalists for the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award and tight end Chris Herndon has been named one of eight semifinalists for the Mackey Award.

Next game: No. 3 Miami vs. Virginia, Saturday, noon, ABC

Christy Cabrera Chirinos