More Miami injuries: Jake Garcia out vs. Virginia; Leonard Taylor poised for bigger role
The Miami Hurricanes were down another quarterback for their Atlantic Coast Conference opener against the Virginia Cavaliers.
Jake Garcia, who split time with Tyler Van Dyke in Miami’s 69-0 win against the FCS Central Connecticut State Blue Devils on Saturday, missed the Hurricanes’ Thursday game with an ankle injury, Miami coach Manny Diaz said after the game. Diaz said Garcia sustained the injury last week against Central Connecticut State, and would miss all of October and possible part of November. Diaz said he hoped that Garcia could return by the end of the regular season.
With King also out with a shoulder injury, Van Dyke made his second straight start — and his first career start against an FBS opponent.
Garcia made his first career appearance Saturday, going 11 of 14 for 147 yards and two touchdowns off the bench. Van Dyke went 10 of 11 for 270 yards and three touchdowns in his first career start Saturday. The two freshmen alternated every two drives to begin the game as King sat out with his shoulder injury and coach Manny Diaz had indicated both could play Thursday.
King was on the field for early warmups, wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants, and tossing a football. Garcia was not.
With King and Garcia out, quarterback Peyton Matocha will likely be the backup to Van Dyke. He also played one series Saturday.
Leonard Taylor gets expanded role
Garcia and King were two of eight Hurricanes sidelined Thursday because of injury. The others: cornerback Al Blades Jr., striker Amari Carter, linebacker Keontra Smith, offensive lineman Corey Gaynor, and defensive tackles Jared Harrison-Hunte and Jordan Miller.
Miami is still also missing running back Donald Chaney Jr., and offensive linemen Jalen Rivers and John Campbell Jr. to season-ending injuries.
Offensive lineman Justice Oluwaseun, however, returned after missing the Central Connecticut State game with an undisclosed injury. Running back Jaylan Knighton was also active for the first time this season after he was suspended for the first four games. Safety Avantae Williams will miss two more games, including the Virginia game, because of his suspension.
Gaynor and Carter both missed their second straight games with undisclosed injuries. Offensive lineman Jakai Clark started in place of Gaynor at center for the second straight game and striker Gilbert Frierson again started in place of Carter.
With Harrison-Hunte and Miller out, freshman Leonard Taylor rockets up the depth chart and will be counted on as an important part of the Hurricanes’ rotation at defensive tackle. Taylor, who was a five-star recruit in the 247Sports.com composite rankings for the Class of 2022, made his debut Saturday and recorded three tackles and chipped in on a sack.
This story was originally published September 30, 2021 at 6:30 PM.
