For this week off, Diaz on new track

’Canes practicing differently than previous byes

CORAL GABLES — The Miami Hurricanes are on their third bye week of the season, and the results following the first two haven’t exactly been promising.

First, UM got an odd week off in Week 1 because the Hurricanes played their opener against the Florida Gators in what was dubbed “Week 0,” getting one of two games played a week ahead of the rest of college football. They returned to the field in Week 2 to fall behind, 17-3, in the first quarter at North Carolina before dropping a 28-25 decision.

With Week 5 off, Miami started its Oct. 5 home game against Virginia Tech in a 28-0 hole before coming back to tie but losing, 42-35.

Coach Manny Diaz feels this bye week will produce different results due in part because there are different circumstances surrounding this later open week. Besides following three consecu

tive wins, this bye comes after six consecutive game weeks, whereas the earlier ones interrupted any type of weekly rhythm or routine for Miami.

“We are practicing differently, but it is also a different time of the season than our earlier byes,” Diaz said. “I think this bye came at a good time. I don’t think our other byes came at a good time. It was so early in the year, you’re still trying to get into a game flow. It’s a little different this time of the year.”

This idle week allows UM to give players recovering from injuries a chance to take it lightly before finishing strong with a Nov. 23 crosstown matchup against FIU at Marlins Park and a regular-season finale at Duke on Nov. 30. For example, the Hurricanes held sophomore tight end Brevin Jordan out of Tuesday’s practice as he recovers from a left foot injury that kept him out of Saturday’s win over Louisville.

“We can use the time to heal some guys that would be able to play on Saturday, but probably wouldn’t be 100 percent, so the way that we’re practicing is different,” Diaz said. “This is really Week 13 of our season. On a one-bye week [season], we’d almost be done, in terms of practicing for the

amount of games we’ve played. We’re being smart with our guys and making sure we’re fresh and healthy for the final stretch.”

Diaz also said the team looks to get players caught up academically on the bye week with the fall semester winding down and even mentioned better sleep in the holistic approach he wants the week off to provide.

Quarterback Jarren Williams doesn’t want the team to miss a beat after the redshirt freshman threw for a school-record and ACC record-tying six passing touchdowns in Saturday’s 52-27 win over Louisville.

“Come out here, laser-focused intensity, no balls on the ground and for us just to really go through the plays and get the scheme down,” Williams said. “Just be real smooth, vanilla, so that when we get into next week, we’re rolling.”

Diaz said this week is a good time to discuss the options for juniors who may be considering the NFL draft following the season.

“We will have those conversations this week, the same conversations we had a year ago with those guys. Let them know that we’re here for them. We want to provide them with as much information as possible, so they can make the best decision possible,” Diaz said. “I think the thing that’s important is that we’re not selfish for what’s best for Miami.

Of course, obviously, we want what’s best for Miami, but we want to let them know that we care about them and any decision that they’ve made, they have all the best information available to make it.”

Of players who may be able to forego a senior season to get drafted, running back DeeJay Dallas could make the most sense based on how professional teams value running backs that haven’t taxed their bodies with an excessive college workload, beyond his obvious playmaking abilities.

Williams said he won’t get into players’ ears too much about sticking with him for another year.

“My main thing, really, is I want those guys to do what’s best for them and their families,” Williams said. “It’s not about me. It’s bigger than me. I don’t really get into that with them too much. I want them to be clear-minded and make the best decision for what they think is best, not what I think.”

Diaz also sees the example linebackers Shaq Quarterman and Michael Pinckney established in coming back for a senior season influencing juniors.

“I hope so,” Diaz said. “And even, how about a Zach McCloud, saying, ‘I’ll tell you what; I’m coming back for a fifth,’ you know? Those are the type of guys that you’ve got to build a program around.”