Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Hurricanes face offseason questions after bowl loss to Oklahoma State
ORLANDO — While going 8-3 marked progress from the 6-7 finish of 2019 and 7-6 in 2018, it was another disappointing end to a Miami Hurricanes season as they fell, 37-34, to Oklahoma State in Tuesday’s Cheez-It Bowl.
UM, which lost quarterback D’Eriq King to an apparent knee injury late in the first half, was unable to bounce back from a 62-26 loss to North Carolina in the regular-season finale. Finishing with back-to-back losses, the program immediately dives into the offseason.
“We don’t run from this,” Miami coach Manny Diaz said. “I told the team, ‘Look where we were 12 months ago. What you [do] is you go get to work.’ You fix what you have to fix, and that sets the tone for the offseason program. And we talk about offseason, we basically told our team they have 24 hours to feel about this, and even though you won’t be back on campus until end
of January, it’s time to get to work.
“I think that’s an instant refocus for us. I’m proud of the players for improving our program from where it was a year ago. I think we were at another level than where we were, and there’s another level where we need to climb to next year and that will be the focus of the offseason program.”
The defense was largely to blame in the consecutive defeats. Against UNC, the Tar Heels ran all over the Hurricanes, who allowed a program-worst 554 rushing yards. How did Miami respond early in the bowl game? By allowing Oklahoma State to pick UM apart in the passing game for touchdowns on the Cowboys’ first three drives Tuesday.
Between North Carolina and the first quarter against OSU, out of 16 defensive series for the Hurricanes, 11 resulted in touchdowns, two in field goals, one ended on a missed field goal and the other two only resulted in no points because of the end of a half.
It has made the defensive coaching staff, led by coordinator Blake Baker, a prime target for fans where they want to see change.
Diaz was noncommittal ahead of the bowl on any staff changes, noting he would wait till after the season for a full assessment. After his first season as head coach, he proved he’s willing to make a quick change. He fired ex-offensive coordinator Dan Enos after one season in favor of Rhett Lashlee.
The difference here is Diaz has a longstanding relationship with every defensive assistant. Is he prepared to set that aside when taking an objective look at the job his defensive coaches did?
Of immediate concern as the Hurricanes returned to Miami from Orlando on Wednesday is King’s status. Days ago, the Hurricanes were thrilled to learn King was coming back for a sixth college season, his second at UM after transferring from Houston. If King’s injury requires a significant recovery timetable, it could take a big chunk — if not all — of the 2021 season from him, which opens against Alabama in Atlanta next September.
As of early Wednesday afternoon, there was no update on King’s status.
A number of draft-eligible players will announce decisions on whether to enter the NFL draft or return to UM next season. In a unique scenario, even seniors can return for 2021 because the NCAA is not counting the 2020 season against college eligibility.
Among those with decisions to make is standout junior tight end Brevin Jordan, who is ranked No. 4 at his position in the draft by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and had eight receptions for 96 yards and two touchdowns Tuesday.
“I haven’t made a decision yet,” Jordan said following the game. “We just took a loss. I’m not even thinking about any of that.”
Said redshirt junior safety Bubba Bolden: “I’m not really focused on the future. The future will come. Decisions will be made.”
Defensive ends Jaelan Phillips and Quincy Roche — Roche as an outside linebacker NFL prospect — already declared for the draft and didn’t play in the bowl game. Fellow defensive end Gregory Rousseau is also awaiting the draft after opting out of the season from the start. Kicker Jose Borregales kicked in the bowl game, but already indicated he will be turning pro.
Before the bowl, Diaz said he expected “pleasant surprises” regarding player announcements. If King’s injury is serious, could that affect some of those decisions one way or another?
“I wouldn’t be able to comment on the intentions of our players,” Diaz said, “so I really don’t have an answer for you on that.”
And if King isn’t available to start 2021, will N’Kosi Perry be thrust back into a starting quarterback role or will either Tyler Van Dyke or incoming freshman Jake Garcia win out in preseason competition? Perry, whose preparedness showed when he came on in relief in the bowl game, said Tuesday he never thought about transferring when King first came to Miami.
“I’m committed to this school, and right now is not the time to be talking about transferring or anything like that,” Perry said. “I’m all about the U, and I just want to get back with my team right now.”
As always, the transfer portal will factor into the offseason, whether that’s players leaving to find better opportunities elsewhere or some coming in to fill immediate needs. Diaz has had success with the portal in his two years as head coach, evidenced by King, Phillips, Roche, Borregales, Bolden, offensive tackle Jarrid Williams and others.
The Hurricanes will also welcome a recruiting class that borders the top 10 in national rankings and will look to make the final additions to the class by National Signing Day on Feb. 3.