Ward a finalist for two national awards. And notes on Jalen Rivers, Francisco Mauigoa
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward is a finalist for a pair of national awards.
In addition to being a contender for the Heisman Trophy, Ward on Tuesday was named a finalist for both the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award and the Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.
Ward enters Miami’s regular-season finale against Syracuse on Saturday leading the country with 34 passing touchdowns while ranking second nationally with 3,774 yards behind only Syracuse’s Kyle McCord (3,946 but with 123 more pass attempts than Ward).
Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel and Colorado’s Shadeur Sanders are the other finalists for the Davey O’Brien Award, while Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty are the other nominees for the Walter Camp Award.
While the accolades and praise keep coming in, Ward said he is blocking out the outside noise by “really paying no mind to it.”
“What I mean by that is, one, getting off that phone, and two, letting it go through one ear and out the other,” Ward said. “Because at the end of the day, a lot of stuff can change week by week. You’ve got to be consistent, and I think that’s why I’m up for some of these.”
Jalen Rivers’ versatility
Hurricanes fifth-year junior Jalen Rivers entered the season entrenched as Miami’s starting left tackle.
But after missing five games after an injury sustained during the Hurricanes’ season opener against the Florida Gators on Aug. 31, Rivers has put his versatility on display upon his return.
During the past five games, Rivers has primarily played at left tackle but has also taken reps at left guard. This has allowed Markel Bell, who started at left tackle when Rivers was injured, to continue to get playing time.
Rivers embraces the versatility and the fact that it is helping maximize the Hurricanes’ potential on the offensive line.
“Left guard is a spot that I’ve been playing since I’ve been here,” Rivers said. “My first two years, I started at left guard, so it wasn’t anything new. And then during that time when I was out and injured, Markel did a great job filling in at the left tackle spot and I was just there as a coach for him, as an ear for him, for any advice he needed. When I returned, he deserved to keep playing at left tackle and get reps at that spot. It wasn’t like ‘Oh, at left tackle, I’m going right back in.’ No. Markel deserved the right to keep playing. So ever since I came back, you’ve seen me alternating left guard and left tackle. It’s not that big of a changeup. I’m happy to be in there with Markel. Just to give him a little advice during the game. He’s done a great job at that spot.”
Francisco Mauigoa’s progress
Francisco Mauigoa has had an up-and-down season so far for Miami.
But the senior linebacker put together one of his most complete performances Saturday against Wake Forest. He tied a career high with 12 tackles, matching his mark in the Pinstripe Bowl last season.
This comes a game after Mauigoa had 11 tackles against Georgia Tech
Defensive coordinator Lance Guidry on Monday’s perspective on Mauigoa’s improved play: “He’s getting healthier. You know, everybody forgets he comes coming off the labrum surgery [in the offseason]. So when you’re trying to make tackles on college running backs and your arm’s not as strong as it was before, and you keep building it up, that’s kind of what was been the season. ... Thankfully Kiko is getting healthy. Just needs to keep playing like he’s been here lately.”
Mauigoa on Tuesday said discomfort from the labrum “comes and goes” but agreed that he feels “a lot better now.”
“I’m ready,” said Mauigoa, who leads the team with 75 tackles. “I’ve got no excuse. My job is to be able to get everybody on the same page. It’s my responsibility that the defense is aligned and set. My main focus is just to do that and focus on my body so I can perform at the highest level.”
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