Hurricanes safety out for season
Bolden out for year after hurting ankle following interception against FSU
The Miami Hurricanes will be without redshirt sophomore safety Bubba Bolden for the remainder of the season after he injured his right ankle during an on-field celebration of his third-quarter interception in Saturday’s 27-10 win over rival Florida State.
Bolden intercepted a pass that was deflected by cornerback DJ Ivey early in the second half. He quickly went to celebrate and, colliding in mid-air with fellow safety Gurvan Hall in celebration, landed awkwardly on the ankle.
Bolden limped off the field with help from teammates to wear the Turnover Chain momentarily, while seated on the UM bench before being assisted into the team’s medical tent on the sideline and eventually into the locker room.
Coach Manny Diaz said Monday that Bolden will miss the rest of the season. Bolden seemed to be in good spirits. “I remain coolie under any pressure,”
he tweeted on Monday. “Can’t let somethin you can’t control, control you. Strong minded! Thank you to everyone for reaching out and sending prayers love my Canes and love the fans. Let’s get after Louisville this week.”
“It’s a huge loss,” Miami defensive coordinator Blake Baker said. “He kept getting better and better and better and was becoming more a part of what we were doing defensively.
He added of Hall colliding with Bolden: “It wasn’t intentional. I’m sure Gurvan feels bad about it, but at the same time, it’s one of those freak deals that nobody means to do.”
Said Diaz, on Monday morning on 560-AM, of the teammates colliding: “It’s just unlucky. Guys are enthusiastic. You want guys to be excited for their teammate. Gurvan and Bubba, they play the same position. At times, they’re battling for playing time on the field. To see the two of them celebrate like that, is really what you want to see.”
Bolden, who transferred from Southern Cal in the offseason, finished with 11 tackles, one interception, a forced fumble and a pass breakup.
Diaz did not immediately know about any redshirt possibilities, but Bolden has played in five games this season.
Since becoming available to play on Oct. 5 at Virginia Tech, Bolden got his first start at Pittsburgh on Oct. 26.
As Bolden was emerging, the Hurricanes’ rotation at safety had increased to four players with him joining Hall, a sophomore, junior Amari Carter and redshirt senior Robert Knowles.
Baker said freshman Keontra Smith, a Chaminade-Madonna grad, could get game reps in Bolden’s place.
“He’s going to get a lot more reps moving forward,” Baker said. “We’re counting on him to have to play a role. It might be five snaps. It might be 25 snaps.”
Diaz touted the play of Knowles, who has been a consistent starter in his fifth college season.
“Rob Knowles is so important to our team,” Diaz said. “I don’t know where we’d be without him. I don’t know how many wins we’d have without Rob Knowles.”