’Canes O-line looking to get ‘nasty’

Unit feels responsible for sacks allowed and lack of rushing yards during slump

CORAL GABLES — Through the course of Miami’s three-game losing streak, Mark Richt has been adamant that there is no single player or position group responsible for the Hurricanes’ offensive woes.

Highly touted skill players including Brad Kaaya, Stacy Coley and Mark Walton have echoed their coach’s sentiments, taking responsibility for their individual play and stressing the need to execute.

But as is often the case when a quarterback gets sacked eight times and a running game sputters, questions arise about one group in particular: the offensive line. And as the Hurricanes prepare to head to South Bend, Ind., to face historic rival Notre Dame on Saturday afternoon, those players are being especially critical of themselves, even if their teammates and coaches haven’t been.

“As an offensive line, I think we need to play more nasty,” right guard Danny Isidora said.

“We’re our own worst enemy. There’s a lot of stuff we can fix,” center Nick Linder added.

“Did you see the game? We didn’t play well enough to win,” offensive line coach Stacy Searels said.

The Hurricanes, who started the season with wins against Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, Appalachian State and Georgia Tech, have struggled since moving into the heart of their ACC schedule.

While they were within striking distance late in their losses to both Florida

State and North Carolina, things slipped away early in the second half against Virginia Tech on Thursday, and the Hokies’ defense feasted on a Hurricanes offense that struggled.

Kaaya was sacked the aforementioned eight times. Miami’s running game managed just 42 rushing yards. And Miami converted on just 3 of 15 third-down opportunities in what was a 37-16 loss.

There have been protection issues on special teams too, with both the Seminoles and Tar Heels blocking kicks against Miami, kicks that may have altered the game, particularly in that 20-19 loss to FSU.

Although Kaaya has shouldered much of the blame for the Hurricanes’ (4-3) offensive struggles, including specifically noting he could have made things happen to avoid some of those hits against Virginia Tech, his linemen say that ultimately isn’t his responsibility.

It’s theirs.

“I put that on us. I wouldn’t put it on Brad,” said Isidora, who has started 32 consecutive games for Miami and is the veteran that most often earns praise from Searels for his consistency. “It’s not his job.”

So what will the Hurricanes’ offensive line have to do to turn things around, especially against a Notre Dame (2-5) team that has been allowing an average of 400 yards and 28 points per game? A little bit of everything.

Isidora said he and his teammates have to be more physical. Linder noted the energy in practice has been more intense early this week than it has been of late. Searels said he sees the potential for improvement and a chance for the Hurricanes’ line to get back to what it was earlier this season, when it was one of 17 units nationwide named to the midseason honor roll for the Joe Moore Award, honoring the top offensive line.

“I don’t think it’s a lack of effort. We’re looking forward to playing Notre Dame, and we’re just happy to be back out here on this practice field, working to get better,” Searels said. “I think the guys worked hard, and as long as we do that, we’ll get to where we’re supposed to be.

“Do you ever enjoy not winning? No. But do I enjoy working with these guys, working to see them go through adversity and how they handle it? That’s what life is, how you handle adversity … how you react to it, are you going to shrink from it or are you going to get bigger and stronger from it? Our plan is to get bigger and stronger.”

“I don’t think it’s a lack of effort. We’re looking forward to playing Notre Dame, and we’re just happy to be back out here on this practice field, working to get better.” Miami offensive line coach Stacy Searels