Uncertainty At Quarterback Shouldn't Hurt Miami Against Cavaliers
By J.T. Wilcox | Staff Writer
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MIAMI (CBS Miami) – With all that has happened to the Canes this season – and it's been a real roller coaster, wouldn't it be fitting that they win their final four games and win the ACC Coastal for the first time?
With Miami's Coastal dreams still very much alive and still very much in its own control, the Hurricanes (5-3, 2-2 ACC) have to be one of the better versions of themselves when they host Virginia (3-5, 2-2) this Saturday at Sun Life Stadium at 3 p.m.
KAAYA QUESTIONABLE
The version that is seen Saturday may or may not include super sophomore quarterback Brad Kaaya.
Kaaya, who missed last week's win over Duke with a concussion, returned to practice this week but was still limited and was listed as questionable on the Canes' injury report for the weekend.
After Tuesday's practice, Kaaya spoke about how the concussion symptoms had affected him.
"It was hard to have mental clarity," Kaaya said. "Acuteness, mental sharpness…it was hard to have that. [I had] sensitivity to noise and lights. It was hard to think straight and look at screens. I just had to rest for a few days."
"I feel a lot better now," Kaaya said Tuesday.
The ACC's leading passer still hasn't been cleared to play by doctors – following concussion recovery protocol.
Fellow sophomore Malik Rosier started his first college game last week in place of Kaaya and he put up Kaaya-like numbers – finishing 20 for 29 with 272 yards and two touchdowns and one interception.
Rosier's performance was both impressive and encouraging, but he took multiple hits in the pocket against the Blue Devils – even one that knocked him out of the game for a play – and began this week battling with soreness.
Rosier said it was adrenaline that allowed him to finish the game against Duke, but said he started "feeling bad" when the team got back to the bus.
Thankfully for Miami, Rosier wasn't listed on the final injury report and should be good to go Saturday.
Rosier said he's felt better as the week has progressed.
"I feel like I've made a lot [of progress]," Rosier said. "I'm preparing to start. I've gotten some reps with the ones. We don't know what's going on with Brad, but I'm preparing to start."
Miami interim head coach Larry Scott let on to who'll likely be under center against the Cavaliers.
"With Malik, we're more confident that he'll be ready to go," Scott said.
If Rosier gets his second start Saturday, he'll be going up against a weak Virginia pass defense that has given up nearly 250 passing yards per game along with nine touchdown passes of 20 yards or more.
The big key will be how Miami's offensive line plays.
Even though the Canes have averaged 400 yards of total offense this season, UM's o-line has struggled at some inopportune times this season.
Whether it is drive-stalling penalties or blown blocking assignments that lead to short gains and battered quarterbacks, the play of the five guys up front has left a lot to be desired.
While Virginia's overall pass defense has struggled this season, the Cavaliers do have a couple of players capable of getting to the quarterback.
Cavs sophomore linebacker and senior defensive end each have recorded five and a half sacks this season – combining to make up nearly 75 percent of the team's sack total this year.
CLEANING UP PENALTIES
Miami's broke a school record for penalties last week in the 30-26 win over Duke.
23 flags were thrown against the Canes, surpassing the previous record of 18 penalties.
The validity of some of the penalties were questioned right after Miami's win and throughout out the week, especially given the vitriol that some spewed following the wild kickoff return that gave UM the victory.
The ACC released a statement saying that the Canes' game-winning touchdown against Duke should have been nullified because of officiating mistakes. But then followed it up by privately acknowledging to the UM administration that officials made "multiple incorrect calls" against the Hurricanes.
All that considered, Miami is still among the nation's most penalized teams.
In an effort to correct the mistakes, coach Scott had officials attend practice twice this week.
"I wanted the refs to be extra hard on us," Scott said. "I wanted them to be ticky-tack to a T just so we can drive home the point of the penalties that we can control."
Miami can control the off-sides and false starts, but things like holding and pass interference are still largely up to the digression and interpretation of the officials.
"I want them to play ball," Scott said. "I want them to cut it loose and play physical."
