Unranked UM To Play Without Starting QB D'Eriq King Saturday Due To Injury
MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) - The University of Miami is planning to play without quarterback D'Eriq King on Saturday when it takes on Central Connecticut State.
King injured his shoulder in last weekend's 38-17 loss to Michigan State, an outcome that knocked the Hurricanes (1-2) out of the AP Top 25 and sent the Spartans into the poll at No. 20. King did not miss a play in that game, even after needing to go the locker room in the second half for treatment and evaluation.
King has not been able to practice this week, and a specific diagnosis of the injury has not been revealed. Miami coach Manny Diaz said King's status is "extremely doubtful," but typically, when a player is not practicing by this point in the week, it means the Hurricanes do not expect him to play.
It's unclear who will start in King's place. Returning freshman Tyler Van Dyke and true freshman Jake Garcia will both play Saturday, Diaz said. Van Dyke has thrown three passes in limited action for Miami over the past two seasons, while Garcia has yet to make his collegiate debut.
"The expectation is to run the offense," Diaz said.
King has started all 13 games of his Miami career since joining the Hurricanes in 2020 following his transfer from Houston. Against Michigan State, he set Miami single-game records with 38 completions and 59 pass attempts, and his 64.7% completion rate as a Hurricane is the best in school history.
The Hurricanes also announced Wednesday that offensive lineman Jalen Rivers, one of the team's best at that position, will miss the remainder of the season following knee surgery. Rivers was hurt in the Michigan State game as well.
Miami opens Atlantic Coast Conference play on Sept. 30 against Virginia.
Central Connecticut State (1-2) is set to play a Power Five team for the first time since 2017. The Blue Devils lost to Syracuse 50-7 that season.
(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)