’Canes set new playoff semifinal goal

One of the first goals UM coach Mark Richt set for his team when he took over at Miami nearly two years ago was for the Hurricanes to win their first Coastal Division crown and play for their first Atlantic Coast Conference championship.

The Hurricanes achieved that goal Saturday when Louisville’s win over Virginia eliminated the Cavaliers from the division race.

Now, with one major goal accomplished, the No. 7 Hurricanes — who are expected to move up in the College Football Playoff rankings released Tuesday — have set their eyes on something more significant. And they know they can’t lose focus as they close out their regular season with games against Virginia Saturday and Pittsburgh Nov. 24.

After that will come a Dec. 2 meeting with Clemson for the ACC title.

“You can’t hide the possibility of getting into the playoffs from our players. Don’t even try to do that,” Richt said on Sunday. “I think everybody knows how important every game is from here on in if we want to have an opportunity to be in the playoff. I think that’s motivation enough in itself. I think when you get in the habit of doing things the certain way, that kind of will hopefully carry us as far as just how we work and how we think on a daily and weekly basis.”

Hurricanes linebacker Charles Perry was injured on the opening kickoff of the second half Saturday night, and will miss the remainder of the season with what Miami termed a “lower left extremity” injury.

Next game: No. 7 UM vs. Virginia, Saturday, noon, ABC

Christy Cabrera Chirinos