Five takeaways from Canes loss in which they had zero
ARLINGTON, TEXAS — The preseason hype was fun while it lasted.
All of the accolades and polls didn’t mean anything Sunday night. All that mattered was what happened on the field at AT&T Stadium.
And there wasn’t much good that happened for the Hurricanes, as No. 25 LSU defeated No. 8 Miami 33-17 to open the season. The Hurricanes have now dropped four consecutive games, a losing streak that began in last year’s regular-season finale against Pittsburgh on Nov. 24.
Here are five takeaways:
A night to forget for Malik Rosier. After all of the offseason talk about Rosier’s improved mechanics and accuracy, Sunday was the first chance to evaluate him. The Hurricanes’ quarterback was underwhelming, completing 15-of-35 passes for 259 yards and one touchdown while throwing two interceptions. There were plenty of off-target throws, bringing back memories from the season-ending losing skid. Rosier has now thrown for four touchdowns and seven interceptions in his past four games. If the Hurricanes are ever going to live up to their Top-10 preseason ranking, Rosier has to be better.
“[LSU] did a really good job,” Rosier said. “Sometimes they would drop eight. They made me fill in the tight windows. There were a couple of times where I almost missed Jeff [Thomas], and he made a great catch for me. Sometimes it’s a bad play. Sometimes I get hit as I’m throwing. Rhythm was off. They did a really good job of getting those three guys in my face and making me throw under pressure.”
No turnover chain for Miami. LSU deserved a turnover chain, winning the turnover battle 2-0 with two interceptions. One of the picks was returned for a touchdown by linebacker Jacob Phillips in the second quarter. This obviously wasn’t the only reason the Hurricanes lost, but it was a big one. Turnovers were a key part of Miami’s winning formula last year, when it tied for the fifth-best turnover margin at plus-13 during the 10-win season. One game into the season, UM is at minus-two.
Ahmmon Richards hurts knee. The Hurricanes’ No. 1 wide receiver is the talented Richards, and he was finally healthy entering the season after playing through lingering injuries last year. But after the season opener, Richards’ health is already in question again. The former Wellington High standout played limited snaps against LSU after hurting his knee in the loss. The hope is that it’s just a bone bruise and not a serious injury. Richards finished with one catch for nine yards on just two targets. Along with Richards, running back Travis Homer [Oxbridge Academy] also turned in a quiet night with seven carries for 30 yards. Richards and Homer are expected to be two of the Hurricanes’ top playmakers, but they didn’t have much of an impact Sunday.
Offensive line shaky in debut. The Hurricanes’ new starting offensive line played its first game together Sunday, but the group is already facing questions. The combination of Tyree St. Louis at left tackle, Jahair Jones at left guard, Tyler Gauthier at center, Hayden Mahoney at right guard and Navaughn Donaldson at right tackle struggled at times against LSU. The Tigers had four sacks and pressured Rosier into numerous errant throws. The Hurricanes also finished with 83 rushing yards.
Freshmen get a chance. Even with 14 starters returning from last season, a few freshmen got an opportunity to make their college debuts. At least seven true freshmen played against LSU. That list includes cornerbacks Al Blades Jr. and D J Ivey, tight ends Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory, defensive end Gregory Rousseau, kicker Bubba Baxa and receiver Brian Hightower. Blades and Ivey were called on to play more than expected after sophomore starting cornerback Trajan Bandy was ejected on LSU’s first offensive drive.