What first Fiesta Bowl availability report says about key Hurricanes’ statuses
The first availability report for Thursday’s Fiesta Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal between the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (12-2) and No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels (13-1) was released Monday night.
The biggest takeaways for the Hurricanes?
Cornerback OJ Frederique is listed as probable, while fellow cornerback Damari Brown and defensive lineman Ahmad Moten Sr. are listed as questionable.
Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal on Saturday described all three players as “progressing steadily.”
“I would say day-to-day,” Cristobal said then. “We’ll have a better idea in the next two or three days, but we feel like they’re progressing at a pretty good rate.”
Brown and Frederique have been part of Miami’s four-player rotation at outside cornerback all season with Xavier Lucas and Ethan O’Connor.
Brown did not play in either of Miami’s College Football Playoff games — the 10-3 first-round win at Texas A&M and the 24-14 upset win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday. On the season, Brown has allowed just 10 catches on 19 targets against for 157 yards and no touchdowns.
Frederique, who did not play in Miami’s final five regular-season games, played 41 of Miami’s 60 snaps against Ohio State before getting injured late in the third quarter. He was seen on crutches and in a boot postgame. On the season, Frederique has allowed 17 catches on 30 targets against for 299 yards and one touchdown while breaking up three passes.
Moten played just 19 of 60 snaps against Ohio State after injuring his ankle. The defensive tackle appeared to be walking fine on the field at AT&T Stadium during the team’s postgame celebration.
The redshirt junior has had a breakout season despite missing two games in the regular season due to injury. Moten enters the Fiesta Bowl having already set career highs in tackles (25), tackles for loss (eight) and sacks (4.5).
Beyond them, reserve defensive lineman Cole McConathy II is listed as questionable, while linebacker Malik Bryant and wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw remain out.
As for Ole Miss, the availability report lists the following: Tight ends Caleb Odom and Dae’Quan Wright, running back Kewan Lacy, wide receiver Cayden Lee and cornerback Dante Core are probable; defensive end Kam Franklin is questionable; and cornerback Cedrick Beavers, linebacker Raymond Collins and offensive lineman John Wayne Oliver are out.
Participating team personnel must submit availability reports starting three days before each game, with daily updates leading to a final report 90 minutes prior to game time.
Players are designated as “available,” “probable,” “questionable,” “doubtful,” or “out” before game day; and as “available,” “game time decision,” or “out” on game day.
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