‘A bridge to 2020’? Here are all the lineup changes Miami made for Independence Bowl
Manny Diaz called the Independence Bowl “a bridge to 2020” on Dec. 9, a day after the Miami Hurricanes were picked to play the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in Shreveport. Mostly out of necessity and precaution, Miami had to truly manage its roster with an eye toward next season Thursday at Independence Stadium.
Wide receiver Jeff Thomas, linebacker Michael Pinckney, and defensive linemen Jonathan Garvin and Trevon Hill all sat out the bowl game as they prepared for the 2020 NFL Draft. Star tight end Brevin Jordan, running back DeeJay Dallas and offensive linemen Navaughn Donaldson were all sidelined by injuries. The Hurricanes made a slew of changes to their two-deep depth chart ahead of the postseason contest.
Pinckney’s absence cleared the way for a freshman to make his first career start: Sam Brooks Jr. started as the weakside linebacker next to fellow linebacker Shaquille Quarterman in Louisiana after appearing in seven games as a reserve throughout the regular season. Thomas’ decision not to play also cleared the way for an underclassman to start as Dee Wiggins returned to the starting lineup alongside fellow wide receivers K.J. Osborn and Mike Harley.
The two defensive linemen skipping the game left Miami particularly shorthanded at defensive end. Scott Patchan returned to the starting lineup at defensive end opposite fellow defensive lineman Gregory Rousseau, and freshman Jahfari Harvey, who will maintain his redshirt after playing just three games in the regular season, played most of the snaps off the bench.
With Jordan injured, Michael Irvin Jr. made his third start of the season and fellow tight end Brian Polendey his first career start. With Dallas injured, running back Cam’Ron Harris made his third start of the year in place of injured running back DeeJay Dallas. John Campbell Jr. also made his second career start — and his first start at left guard — with fellow offensive lineman Navaughn Donaldson, the usual starter at left guard, injured. Jordan is still recovering from a foot injury and wasn’t wearing a boot Thursday, Dallas is out for the season after dislocating his elbow, and Donaldson wore a brace on his right leg as he recovers from a knee injury. Defensive lineman Jason Blissett Jr., who was listed as a backup defensive end for the bowl, did not play after suffering an undisclosed injury in practice in Shreveport, WQAM reported.
This story was originally published December 26, 2019 at 6:05 PM.
