Miami Hurricanes enjoy the ride with Chris Herndon and running back Travis Homer
Mark Richt is not overly concerned with depth.
Not when the eighth-ranked Miami Hurricanes (6-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) have starters such as tight end Chris Herndon and running back Travis Homer.
In Saturday’s 27-19 win over Syracuse, Herndon had a career day — 10 catches for 96 yards and one touchdown. He came up just two catches short of tying the all-time Canes record for receptions in one game.
His normal backup, Michael Irvin II, did not play on Saturday, and Richt indicated that it’s a discipline issue that the player needs to correct.
“Irvin hasn’t done what we want off the field,” Richt said on Sunday. “And until he does, he won’t play.”
Scott Patchan, a third-year sophomore who has converted from the defensive line, saw backup duty at tight end on Saturday. He was targeted for one pass over the middle, but it fell incomplete when he didn’t turn around quickly enough.
Miami has other tight ends on the roster — such as freshman Brian Polendey — but they are apparently not yet ready for game action.
“Patchan is still learning,” Richt said. “The only tight end we have a lot of faith in that he knows what he’s doing and can execute is Herndon.”
Homer was the only Canes running back who got carries on Saturday. After starting the season as a backup, he has taken over for injured star Mark Walton — who is out for the year — and Homer gained 95 yards on 20 carries against Syracuse.
“Travis has a lot of stamina — he can handle a lot of carries and special-teams reps, too,” Richt said. “When your No. 1 running back feels good, keep him in the game.”
Richt said freshman Deejay Dallas, recruited as an athlete who could play receiver, defensive back and running back, got some playing time — although no carries — in place of Homer on Saturday.
This Saturday, when the Canes travel to face 1-7 North Carolina, Richt may have an opportunity to try to establish depth at positions such as running back and tight end.
After all, the Tar Heels have lost 16 players for the season due to injuries and are listed as 31-point underdogs to Miami.
And while the Canes can’t afford to look past UNC, journalists and fans are under no such obligation.
After UNC, Miami has two highly significant games remaining: November 4 versus Virginia Tech and Nov. 11 against Notre Dame, both at Hard Rock Stadium.
Virginia Tech (6-1, 2-1) routed North Carolina 59-7 on Saturday, and the 13th-ranked Hokies figure to be Miami’s toughest challenger in the ACC’s Coastal Division.
Ninth-ranked Notre Dame (6-1) was even more impressive on Saturday, routing a Southern Cal team that entered the game ranked 11th in the nation. Notre Dame rolled 49-14.
After those two major tests, Miami closes its regular season with two ACC games: home for Virginia (5-2, 2-1) and at Pitt (3-5, 1-3).
THIS AND THAT
▪ Miami outside linebacker Michael Pinckney was named the Walter Camp Defensive Player of the Week.
▪ Tough week for the Ishmael family. Safety Kemal Ishmael and wide receiver Steve Ishmael, both former stars at North Miami Beach High, lost to their hometown teams. Kemal’s Atlanta Falcons fell to the Dolphins on Oct. 15, and Steve’s Syracuse Orange got beat by the Hurricanes on Saturday.
▪ Miami has turned the ball over just three times this season, and Richt said quarterback Malik Rosier deserves some of the credit. “He’s thrown very few passes that should’ve been intercepted,” Richt said. “For the most part, he’s been wise with the ball.”
▪ Asked why Darrell Langham hasn’t played more, Richt said receivers coach Ron Dugans handles that rotation. Richt also said he sees Langham and Richards — both taller targets — competing for the same spot in Miami’s three-receiver alignments.
“If Richards would have caught the ball better [on Saturday], he would’ve had 200 yards and three touchdowns,” Richt said. “Langham has earned the right to play. Langham was in the game more than people noticed. Both of them will play.”
This story was originally published October 22, 2017 at 8:55 PM with the headline "Miami Hurricanes enjoy the ride with Chris Herndon and running back Travis Homer."