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Miami Hurricanes' injuries on defense create opportunity

University of Miami coach Randy Shannon has never been one to talk about injuries.

He abhors the subject, regards it as useless. To Shannon, the only players worth talking about are the ones well enough to play on game day.

``You just don't look at them,'' Shannon said Tuesday of the long list of defensive players who have increasingly been sidelined with various ``nicks,'' in his lingo.

Miami Hurricanes face Virginia, hope to avoid another late-season collapse

University of Miami coach Randy Shannon remarked how proud he was of his Hurricanes beating Wake Forest on their final drive last Saturday -- despite his defense giving up 555 yards.

``Look at how we came back late against Wake,'' said Shannon, noting that his team held the Demon Deacons to seven points in the second half. ``Yeah, we're getting better. I never cared about statistics. Even when I was a coordinator, I never cared. The only thing that matters is wins and losses.''

Here is a statistical trend about which Shannon doesn't need to be reminded: UM lost its last three games in 2008 and its last four games in 2007.

University of Miami coach Randy Shannon says depleted defense has to `step it up'

Colin McCarthy woke up at 6 a.m. Tuesday, the result of practices being moved from 5:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. once a week. If you're a University of Miami football player, that's called ``sleeping in.''

McCarthy, the Hurricanes' strong-side linebacker, could use the extra sleep. So could the rest of the UM defense. After allowing 555 yards in a one-point victory at Wake Forest that stretched nearly 100 plays, the weary Canes acknowledged they can't continue down this path.

Safety Randy Phillips promised that when No. 16 Miami (6-2, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) meets Virginia (3-5, 2-2) at noon Saturday at Land Shark Stadium, UM will play with energy and purpose from start to finish.

Miami Hurricanes' Allen Bailey will stay at defensive end

When Allen Bailey sacked Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker and forced a fumble that Marcus Robinson returned for a touchdown Saturday, it provided the type of momentum-changing play the Miami defense needs more of.

And it wasn't surprising that Bailey was at the center of the play. He leads the team with five sacks after picking up two against Clemson, is tied with Colin McCarthy for the team lead with 6.5 tackles for losses and has forced two fumbles.

Bailey, who had five sacks in 2008 while playing mostly defensive end, began this season at tackle but has played more at end recently because of injuries to other players. He said he played about the same amount at both positions against Clemson, but coach Randy Shannon said he will be used only at defensive end on Saturday at Wake Forest (3:30 p.m., ABC).

Improved Miami Hurricanes defense to get tested at Virginia Tech

Eric Moncur was so elated about being able to play football again that he spontaneously bear-hugged UM coach Randy Shannon before last Thursday night's kickoff against Georgia Tech.

Someone suggested to Moncur that it was more of a tackle.

``I gave him a little hug, you know what I'm saying?'' said the intimidating senior defensive end, who was granted a rare sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA after sitting out most of the 2008 season with injuries. ``I let him know I appreciate him.''