’Canes vow to focus on Red Wolves

While fans and college football experts may already be discussing the impact Florida State QB Deondre Francois’ season-ending injury could have on the Week 3 matchup between Miami and FSU, Hurricanes coach Mark Richt isn’t even remotely interested in talking about the Seminoles. Not yet, anyway. With the 18th-ranked Hurricanes set to travel to Arkansas State on Saturday for their first road game of the season, Richt declined to answer on Sunday when asked about how Francois’ then-unknown status could potentially impact how Miami (1-0) prepares for its Sept. 16 game against the Seminoles.

“If anybody thinks about FSU this week, we’ll be a sad bunch of football players and coaches,” Richt said Sunday. “We play an excellent team this week and that’s who we’re going to focus on right now.”

If the coach feels the need to drive that message home to his team, he can merely point to what the Red Wolves (0-1) did during their season-opening loss at Nebraska on Saturday night.

On the road in Lincoln, the Red Wolves put together a spirited effort and had two attempts at the end zone late that could have potentially given them a tie or a win if they’d been able to convert.

Instead, Nebraska escaped with a 43-36 Red Wolves proved they have the potential with a major program.

Next game: No. 18 Miami at 3:30 p.m., ESPNU

Christy Cabrera Chirinos win, but the to keep pace

Arkansas State,

Saturday,