Miami Hurricanes updates on key players ahead of home finale vs Wake Forest
Cornerback Damari Brown, who hasn’t played since sustaining an injury in the team’s season-opener against the Florida Gators on Aug. 31, was a full participant in warmups and appeared slated to return for the No. 8 Miami Hurricanes when they play their final home game on Saturday against Wake Forest.
But Brown ultimately did not suit up.
Nor did defensive end Elijah Alston and offensive lineman Ryan Rodriguez, both of whom were in street clothes during warmups and once again sidelined for the game.
Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal on Monday said all three players have been practicing and would be “game-time decisions.”
Brown, a sophomore, was slated to have an increased role in Miami’s revamped secondary this season. His injury changed that trajectory.
Alston has now missed five of the Hurricanes’ past six games, only suiting up for the win at Louisville on Oct. 19. He entered Saturday with 15 tackles, three-and-a-half tackles for loss, two-and-a-half sacks, two defended passes and an interception in six games played.
Rodriguez, like Brown, hasn’t played the Florida game to begin the season when he started at left guard. Matt McCoy has been taking the bulk of the snaps at the position.
Senior day
Prior to the game, the Hurricanes honored 25 players as part of their senior day festivities.
The full group, in alphabetical order: Alston, offensive lineman Matt Antezana, tight end Elijah Arroyo, defensive lineman Tyler Baron, defensive lineman Simeon Barrow, kicker Andres Borregales, wide receiver Sam Brown, defensive lineman Anthony Campbell, center Zach Carpenter, defensive lineman C.J. Clark, defensive lineman Marley Cook, offensive lineman Luis Cristobal, long snapper Michael Donovan, defensive lineman Joe Enguidanos, wide receiver Jacolby George, linebacker Francisco Mauigoa, tight end Cam McCormick, defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor, long snapper Mason Napper, wide receiver Luke Parambo, defensive back Daryl Porter Jr., safety Mishael Powell, wide receiver Xavier Restrepo, offensive lineman Jalen Rivers, and quarterback Cam Ward.
Cam Ward’s gift to his offensive linemen
During the bye week, Ward treated his offensive linemen to dinner, something he has done before since transferring to Miami.
The night was capped with Ward presenting each of those teammates with personalized chains that feature each player’s number encrusted with diamonds.
Ward on Wednesday said the gifts have been a work in progress since either July or August.
“It was the start of the season,” Ward said. “That’s just how long it takes. It finally got finished.”
“They’re the reason why we’re one of the best offenses in the country,” Ward added. “People who really don’t know anything about football may think it’s the receivers, the running backs, quarterbacks, but at the end of the day, it’s the o-line. If you don’t got a good o-line, we’re doing nothing on offense. That’s the reality of it.”
Remembering Don Bosseler
The Hurricanes on Saturday wore “DB40” decals on their helmets to honor Hurricanes great and College Football Hall of Famer Don Bosseler, who died Nov. 6 at 88.
Bosseler, who earned the nicknamed “The Bull” as a stocky, muscular 6-1 and 210-plus pound fullback, was a four-year starter for the Hurricanes from 1953 to 1956. He finished his career as a unanimous first-team All-American as a senior after rushing for 723 yards. Miami went 8-1-1 that year and finished as the No. 6 team in the country, its highest ranking until the school won its first of five national championships in 1983.
His 1,642 rushing yards were the second most in Hurricanes history at the time, trailing only Eddie Dunn (1,778 yards from 1936 to 1938). It still ranks 21st in school history nearly 70 years later.
Bosseler was inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame in 1970, the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990 and the UM Ring of Honor in 1999.
Bosseler’s football career continued in the NFL. Washington selected him No. 9 overall pick in the 1957 NFL Draft. Bosseler rushed for 3,112 yards and 22 touchdowns through eight seasons and 96 games for Washington and was a Pro Bowler in 1959.
This story was originally published November 23, 2024 at 11:38 AM.
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