For all those University of Miami fans suffering angst over who should be the starting quarterback, the decision has been made for you. Robert Marve is still the starter, and UM coach Randy Shannon is adamant about that.

After a sloppy, lackluster performance by the Hurricanes' offense in the 20-14 escape past an offensively inept, even sloppier Central Florida team, the Canes (3-3, 0-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) will begin working on Duke (3-2, 1-1) with Marve at the helm.

The Blue Devils will meet Miami at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Durham N.C., after coming off a bye week.

Shannon said he wants Marve to get back to where he was earlier in the season -- letting others around him make the plays instead of trying to do too much himself.

''They threw some different things at him, but that's part of being quarterback,'' Shannon said. ``I'm not speaking for him, but it seems like he's trying to be the guy -- which he is. But do what you've been doing all year long. Let [other] guys make the play. If it's third down and 10 and everybody is covered, throw the ball for 5 yards or see if [Graig Cooper] or the tight ends or somebody can make somebody miss. You'll get a first down. If not, you punt the football and move on.''

NO SURE VICTORIES

Judging by UM's performance the past couple of games, combined with an improved Duke team and the considerable talent of Blue Devils quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, the Hurricanes are not exactly boasting of any sure victories.

''I haven't watched them yet,'' Shannon said of the Blue Devils. ``We won't take anybody lightly. You look at college football these days and anybody can beat anybody.''

Marve threw three interceptions Saturday, and has eight interceptions and six touchdowns in the five games he has played -- seven of his picks coming in the past three games. He has completed 69 of 126 passes for 612 yards.

''Yes, I did feel off,'' he said Saturday night. 'I never got into a rhythm. You start throwing picks and it's like you're kind of worried about throwing another pick. It slowed me down a little bit. I said, `I don't want to lose the game for the team,' more than going and trying to win the game for the team.

``Throwing three interceptions in a game is not acceptable by any means. But you're going to go through learning experiences. It's not going to be a freshman year of just joyrides every game. You're going to go through ups and downs. But when you're down you've got to get back up.''

The Blue Devils have beaten James Madison 31-7, Navy 41-31 and Virginia 31-3. They lost to Northwestern 24-20 and at Georgia Tech 27-0.

Shannon praised his defense for a ''tremendous'' performance against UCF, but said offensively he should have stuck to the running game more. He said coaches are evaluating UM's worsening third-down efficiency numbers -- 41 of 94 for the season but 2 of 17 Saturday.

He said he believes the problem stems from doing poorly on second downs, thereby setting up difficult situations on third down.

GOOD BACKUP JOB

As for backup quarterback Jacory Harris, who played most of the final quarter, Shannon said ''he did a nice job of running the offense'' and lauded his smarts. 'He took a sack late in the game. I said, `Why didn't you throw the ball away?' He says, `Coach, I was just thinking about keeping the clock running, and if I would have throw the ball, the clock would have stopped.'

``As coaches, we want him to throw the ball away. But he was thinking about clock management and that's one thing he does a good job of with the head on his shoulders.''

THIS AND THAT

• Shannon said linebacker Genn Cook was being evaluated Sunday for a ''turf'' injury he sustained when his jaw got slammed.

• Defensive end Adewale Ojomo was kept out of the UCF game for disciplinary reasons. ''No school [related incidents]. No off-the-field stuff, none of that,'' Shannon said. ``Just within the team. He'll play Saturday, but I don't know if he'll start, because those young guys -- Andrew [Smith] and Marcus Robinson -- did a good job.''

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