UM starters crush ‘B-CU,’ but Mark Richt will not buy them lobsters
Last year, the University of Miami lost to “Florida A&M” in the final scrimmage of fall camp.
Make that, the UM starters lost to Miami scout teamers playing the roles of projected FAMU starters.
On Thursday, the Hurricane starters beat “Bethune-Cookman” in a similar scenario, but they won’t be getting any lobster dinners in gratitude from their coach (more on that later).
Better yet, the Wildcats were spotted 24 points and the UM starters scored 33 consecutive points in one half of a practice game to win the final fall-camp scrimmage, effectively shutting out Bethune.
Now, if the Canes can only do the same in two halves a week from Saturday during the Sept. 2 home opener at Hard Rock Stadium, fans should be pretty satisfied.
“We had some really quality players that played for the scout team today,’’ UM coach Mark Richt said of the scrimmage, which was closed to the media and public and was not live for anyone – meaning the defense was not allowed to tackle any player because of poor conditions caused by heavy rain. “They did a really nice job. The defensive line must have batted down three or four balls and put pressure on the quarterback pretty good.
“The offense was hot and cold. They either went right down the field and scored or had a little struggle here and there.”
Quarterback Malik Rosier, who was named the starter on Tuesday, completed 18 of 32 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns.
No. 2 quarterback Evan Shirreffs did not get any reps with the No. 1 unit.
True freshmen N’Kosi Perry and Cade Weldon were the quarterbacks for the scout team.
Perry completed six of 16 passes for 57 yards, with two interceptions. Weldon was 3 of 8 for 15 yards, with one interception.
Starting tailback Mark Walton, who has been guarded by coaches because of UM’s lack of depth at the position, ran seven times for 60 yards and two touchdowns.
Richt said for the most part, Rosier “did well.’’
“He missed a couple. We dropped a couple. We had a couple batted down. There were just inconsistencies in the passing game, and really, we had a couple runs that Mark would have broke [free].... Our running game would have been much stronger today, in my opinion, if we would have tackled, since Mark tends to break tackles, especially somebody just trying to grab him with one arm.”
Richt was asked if he saw energy from his players Thursday.
“I saw it on the Bethune-Cookman sideline,’’ he said with a smile. “They’re the guys with a chip on their shoulder. They’re the ones that…remember a year ago, they beat us and had a big celebration. I made sure they got steak and lobster one day, and the guys that were on Miami had to eat beans and wings.
“Walton remembered that and said, ‘Do we get the good meal?’ I said, ‘No, you’re supposed to win!’’’
▪ Receivers Ahmmon Richards (hamstring) and Braxton Berrios (groin strain), and defensive tackle Kendrick Norton (ankle) did not play. All three are projected starters. Richt said Richards is questionable for the opener.
▪ Some other top stat-getters for the UM offense Thursday: RB Travis Homer (3 for 17 yards); WR Jeff Thomas (6 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown), WR Lawrence Cager (3 for 30 and a touchdown).
▪ Defensive Tackle Anthony Moten had four tackles (three for loss) and a sack; cornerback Michael Jackson had three tackles, an interception and two pass breakups; Robert Knowles and Malek Young each had an interception. On special teams, Zach McCloud blocked a punt.
▪ For the scout team, Robert Burns had three carries for 12 yards and tight end Malik Curry had two catches for 20 yards.
TESTAVERDE TO TRANSFER
Reserve quarterback Vincent Testaverde, the son of UM legend and 1986 Heisman Trophy winner Vinny Testaverde, is leaving the program to transfer in search of more playing time, UM announced. Testaverde, who transferred to UM from Texas Tech in 2015, is a redshirt junior who has never gotten in a UM game. He played one game for Texas Tech.
This story was originally published August 24, 2017 at 4:30 PM with the headline "UM starters crush ‘B-CU,’ but Mark Richt will not buy them lobsters."