Manny Diaz addresses issue of UM students banned at first two home games, including FSU
A few hours after Miami coach Manny Diaz praised his Hurricanes (1-0) on WQAM for doing the right thing to “protect each other” and “protect themselves’’ during the coronavirus pandemic, Diaz was asked Monday during a Zoom news conference what he thinks about UM president Julio Frenk’s decision to prohibit students from attending the opener last week and the Sept. 26 game against archrival Florida State at Hard Rock — announced for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC.
“What I think is Dr. Frenk knows what’s best for his university and his community,’’ Diaz said.
The 17,538 fans at FSU’s opening-day home loss to Georgia Tech included many non-masked, non-socially-distanced students in the crowd, as shown on TV and documented in videos, and Diaz was told that schools across the country allowing students at games have had similar situations.
“I’ve said this many times this year,’’ Diaz said. “COVID is a regional issue... There are different rates in different places. What we went through this summer in Miami is different than what other people went through in other places. We know what’s best for us. We know what’s best for trying to protect our football team.
“I think Dr. Frenk, the Miami Dolphins, everybody at Hard Rock Stadium knows what’s best to protect the people that come to our stadium. And that’s really all we’re responsible for here and all we worry about here.
“...Everyone knew 2020 was not going to be all smooth sailing. There will be some people taken out of their comfort zone. And as I mention it every single week, we tell our players, ‘We are only as good as our next test.’’’
New depth chart
UM released its second depth chart of the season in advance of Saturday’s 7:30 p.m. kickoff at Louisville. The lone definitive change in starters was that 6-3, 320-pound sophomore Jakai Clark is replacing redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Ousman Traore at left guard.
“We’ve got a lot of confidence in both those guys,’’ UM offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said in his Zoom session. “Jakai missed a considerable amount of time in fall camp with an injury... We just feel right now it’s a good opportunity to get Jakai his shot.’’
Additionally, safety Bubba Bolden was placed on top of starter Gurvan Hall’s name on the depth chart with an “OR’’ in between them. Last week the names were flipped around.
“That’s something you’ll see on a week-in, week-out basis,’’ defensive coordinator Blake Baker said Monday. “Bubba played outstanding on Thursday.’’
Issiah Walker status
▪ Florida Gators transfer Issiah Walker, a 6-5, 290-pound freshman offensive lineman out of Miami Norland High, is not necessarily ruled out for playing this season. When asked if Walker could possibly play this season, Diaz said “That’s possible.’’
“Really, with Issiah we’re waiting for a medical clearance’’ as well as “the eligibility thing and you’ve got a medical deal. And that’s sort of where he’s at right now. We’ll just sort of go through both procedures and see what happens.’’
ACC Player of Week
▪ UM redshirt junior Corey Gaynor was named Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against UAB. Miami racked up 337 rushing yards, the second-most recorded by a Canes team against an FBS opponent since UM joined the ACC in 2004 and most in any game since 2016.
This story was originally published September 14, 2020 at 8:02 PM.
