Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Rosier to remain UM’s starter
CORAL GABLES – As the Hurricanes continue trying to find solutions to some of their offensive issues that have been magnified in recent weeks after losses to Virginia and Boston College, Miami coach Mark Richt is holding firm on one big front.
Redshirt senior Malik Rosier remains Miami’s starting quarterback.
Richt made the announcement on Sunday, two days after the Hurricanes’ 27-14 loss to Boston College, a loss in which Miami’s offense was held scoreless in the second half and was outgained 433-305 by Boston College.
“Like I’ve said a lot of times, I feel like he can handle the game plan the best right now and gives us the best shot,” Richt said. “If something changes, that’ll change. But that’s where we’re at right now.”
Rosier, who last season led the Hurricanes to 10 straight wins before Miami finished the year with three straight losses, has had his share of inconsistency and accuracy issues throughout his career as the Hurricanes’ starter and earlier this season, was replaced by redshirt freshman N’Kosi Perry for several games.
Perry, a former four-star prospect, has become a sort of fan favorite. After playing the bulk of Miami’s game against FIU, he made the first start of his career against North Carolina a week later, helped the Hurricanes rally for a win over Florida State and then struggled in his first road start at Virginia, prompting Richt to pull him in the second quarter and instead, play Rosier.
But Rosier — who led comeback wins against Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia and North Carolina a year ago — wasn’t able to spark the Hurricanes in Charlottesville. And after starting the Boston College 8 of 9, he finished 19 of 32 for 150 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He also had 71 rushing yards.
At this point in the season, Rosier and Perry have somewhat similar numbers, at least in terms of completion percentage. Both have played in six games, with Rosier completing 52 percent of his passes for 931 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions. Perry, meanwhile, has completed 56 percent of his passes for 666 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
And while Rosier will remain the starter, Richt did not rule out the possibility that Perry could play, though the game will dictate that.
“I think we’ll see Kosi again before the season’s over and how much depends on how practices go and all that and depends on how games go, as well,” Richt said. “We definitely want to continue to get him in the game and continue to get better. I didn’t do it last week, but don’t be shocked to see it this week.”
Quarterback play hasn’t been the only significant issue the Hurricanes have faced this season, with both offensive line play and Richt’s play-calling coming under scrutiny as Miami has struggled.
On Sunday, the coach said he believes “everyone’s got to take ownership of what happened in the last game or two” as the team fights to get back on track. He said he remains confident that can happen, and he also said he and the rest of the offensive staff have worked together to try and come up with plays that will work.
Injury updates: Several Hurricanes were dealing with minor injuries after Friday’s game at Boston College, but on Sunday, Richt said he didn’t think any of them had limited players during their conditioning work, though the team had not practiced yet since Friday’s game.
Tight end Brevin Jordan dealt with a thigh bruise, receiver Jeff
Thomas had a knee bruise, defensive end Joe Jackson was battling a hip issue and safety Sheldrick Redwine had a shoulder stinger.
“There’s no limitations in the weight room, I know. We’ll be practicing today and we’ll have a better feel. Sometimes, you just have to start moving around a little bit, get the blood flowing and you’re fine,” Richt said.
Jarren Williams redshirt watch: While Rosier and Perry have generated most of the attention — and playing time — among Miami’s quarterbacks, Richt did say Sunday that freshman Jarren Williams has been progressing.
Whether he’ll be able to take advantage of a new NCAA rule that allows players to appear in four games and still retain their redshirt, though, still remains unclear.
Williams has played in one game this year and the Hurricanes have four regular-season games left on the schedule.