Hurricanes looking for first all-around game of season

Miami not taking injured, struggling UNC for granted

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Through six games, the Hurricanes remain unbeaten. They’ve won three consecutive thrillers against Florida State, Georgia Tech and Syracuse. They’re 4-0 in ACC play for the first time since moving to the league in 2004, ranked among the nation’s top-10 teams and own an 11-game win streak, their longest since 2002.

Considering that two years ago at this time, the team was reeling in the wake of its worst loss in program history, a 58-0 debacle against Clemson that cost former coach Al Golden his job, that’s significant progress.

But no one at Miami — including second-year coach Mark Richt — is celebrating.

Because although the Hurricanes have played well through their first six games of the season, at no point have they been the consistent, dominating force Richt wants them to be.

In halves when the defense has played well — like last Saturday, when it forced Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey into four first-half interceptions — the offense struggled to move the ball. And then there have been stretches when the defense hasn’t been at its best, particularly when defending the run.

That put Miami in the tough position of having to put together fourthquarter comeback against both FSU and Georgia Tech, while against Syracuse, holding off a late surge from the Orange.

“There’s no doubt we can get better. I can only hope we keep getting better,” Richt said this week. “I don’t know what the right time is to peak, but if we can keep getting better, that would be really good for us. And we all know we can get better.”

The Hurricanes (6-0, 4-0) will have the chance to do some things their

coach has been asking of them on Saturday when they take on a struggling North Carolina team that has been hit hard by injuries — play consistently, dominate the line of scrimmage and impose its will on an opponent.

Although the Tar Heels are playing at home, have won two in a row against Miami and won the Coastal Division title in 2015, they aren’t expected to be a stumbling block this year for the surging Hurricanes.

North Carolina has lost five consecutive, has had more than a dozen players sidelined by season-ending injuries, and this week, will be without leading running back, freshman Michael Carter. Carter has rushed for more than 400 yards but was the latest Tar Heel to appear on UNC’s injury report.

Miami, meanwhile, is getting some of its injured starters back. Receiver Ahmmon Richards has struggled with a hamstring injury all season, but played last week against Syracuse and finished with 99 receiving yards, despite some uncharacteristic dropped passes. Starting right guard Navaughn Donaldson returned to practice this week after missing two games with a foot injury and cornerback Dee Delaney, out with a knee injury, is probable for Saturday’s game.

With some of their standouts back and some key Coast Division games still on the horizon, the Hurricanes know they can’t afford to take North Carolina (1-7, 0-5) for granted.

And then there’s the fact that more than a few of Miami’s veterans haven’t forgotten their last trip to Chapel Hill, where North Carolina dominated in a 59-21 win. That day, former Tar Heels quarterback Marquise Williams mocked the Hurricanes by making the school’s traditional ‘U’ hand gesture then turning it downward while celebrating a touchdown.

The loss eliminated Miami from contention in the Coastal Division race and left the Hurricanes fuming.

“The disrespect we had last time we went up there,” defensive end Demetrius Jackson said this week with a shake of his head. “They disrespected us and last year, they beat us. We know what it is. They beat us last year and they beat us the year before, so we’ve just got to go out there and do what we need to do.”

For Miami, quarterback Malik Rosier is looking to continue building on an impressive start. The redshirt junior has completed 59 percent of his passes, ranks fifth in the ACC in pass efficiency (145.4) and has thrown 14 touchdowns to just three interceptions. He’s also won his first seven starts, dating back to one start in 2015 when former starter Brad Kaaya was hurt. Rosier’s the first Miami quarterback to win seven straight to start his Miami career since Brock Berlin did the same in 2003.

And Miami’s defense will look to build on its solid showing against Syracuse, while continuing to find consistency with Virginia Tech, Notre Dame, Virginia and Pittsburgh still on the schedule.

“You can’t ever look at a team’s record and be like ‘Oh they’re a bad team,’ ” offensive lineman Kc McDermott said. “No, they’re a good team. … If we do our job this week studying film, do our job on the field, you know we’ll take care of business. But they are a good team and we have to do our jobs to win.”

WILFREDO LEE/AP Although UM has played well through its first six games, at no point have the Hurricanes been the dominant force coach Mark Richt wants them to be.