Upperclassmen bask in Canes’ return to glory
MIAMI GARDENS — This is a matter of some debate, a point of contention. Braxton Berrios takes a firm stand. “The U is back,” he said. Even after Miami kicked around Notre Dame 41-8 Saturday night, two of his teammates from the 2014 recruiting class, Malik Rosier and Chad Thomas, agreed that is not the case.
“(Thomas) said it’s not over. We’re not back,” Rosier said. “I told him I agree. I said we’re not back until I have a ring on my finger.”
It depends on your definition of “back,” it seems. But when the Hurricanes whip the third-ranked team in a sold-out, shaking Hard Rock Stadium, drawing raves from the national media and sending TV ratings through the roof, it’s hard to argue with Berrios.
“I don’t think anybody can say we’re not,” he said. “I don’t think we can get disrespected anymore.”
There always will be people with Hurricane hate in their hearts, even if the Paul Finebaums of the world are donning Turnover Chains and doling out mea culpas.
Berrios likes to tweak them. He’s earned the right.
The senior wide receiver was one of 15 seniors or redshirt juniors who suffered through a 6-7 freshman year. They sank to the depths as sophomores, taking the most lopsided loss in program history, after which the coaching staff that recruited them was fired. They bought into the teachings of Mark Richt and Co. and are now enjoying the thrills of being in the College Football Playoff hunt.
Fourteen wins in a row, the longest streak the Hurricanes have had since 200002. The highest Associated Press ranking (No. 2) since 2003, with a top-four spot in Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings all but guaranteed.
Along the way, they corrected a few things. Ten-year drought without a bowl victory? Quenched. Seven-year losing streak to Florida State? Snapped.
Which is one reason why Berrios basked in the boos, arms spread wide, as he caught a pair of touchdowns in Tallahassee. It’s why he held the ‘U’ up high in Chapel Hill. It’s why he turned the “convicts” label into a sarcastic celebration Saturday night.
Berrios, the leading receiver (484 yards, eight touchdowns on 38 catches) in an attack that spreads it around, owns a 3.96 GPA and is a national finalist for the Maxwell Award, considered the “academic Heisman.” But he’ll put virtual knuckles on the noses of Miami’s critics.
“If you want us to play that,” he said afterward, “we can play that.”
He’s not the only upperclassman who’s enjoying this comeuppance tour.
Seniors Trent Harris (sixth in the ACC in sacks, 6.0), Chad Thomas and Anthony Moten (and redshirt junior Demetrius Jackson, now injured) saw a rebirth under defensive coordinator Manny Diaz and defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski. UM is second nationally in both sacks per game (3.67) and tackles for loss (8.78). The Hurricanes are 10th in points allowed (16.6).
This coaching staff has developed under-the-radar upperclassmen like cornerback Michael Jackson, linebacker Mike Smith and receiver Darrell Langham into contributors. Jackson is second in the ACC in interceptions, part of a defense on track (16 interceptions) for its highest interception total since 2000. Who saw that coming?
Redshirt junior Malik Rosier has been nothing but a winner in his first year as a starter, a dangerous dualthreat quarterback. Senior left tackle Kc McDermott and left guard Trevor Darling are playing their best ball. Senior tight end Chris Herndon is one of the ACC’s most versatile talents. Another senior, kicker Michael Badgley, set a UM career record for field goals (74), though he’d rather kick a boatload of extra points.
In their first two seasons, they were 14-13. Since Richt took over, they’re 18-4.
After Saturday’s game against Virginia and Nov. 24 at Pittsburgh, they can start thinking about the ACC Championship against Clemson — and, as if more motivation was needed, that record-setting 58-0 pounding on Oct. 24, 2015.