What final Fiesta Bowl availability says about Hurricanes for semifinal vs. Ole Miss
Defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. is a game-time decision for the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes in their College Football Playoff semifinal game against the No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels in the Fiesta Bowl on Thursday.
Meanwhile, cornerback Damari Brown remains out, missing his third consecutive playoff game.
And a late addition to the report: Running back Jordan Lyle, who has been a non-factor since November, is also out.
Moten, who was listed as questionable on Miami’s availability report each of the past three days, had his status still up in the air 90 minutes before kickoff at State Farm Stadium. Hurricanes defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman on Tuesday seemed optimistic Moten would be available and said Brown would “have a shot to play.”
Moten played just 19 of 60 snaps in Miami’s 24-14 win over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31 after injuring his ankle early in the game. The defensive tackle appeared to be walking fine on the field at AT&T Stadium during the team’s postgame celebration following the quarterfinal win.
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).
Moten’s potential availability comes two days after cornerback OJ Frederique, who was injured in the third quarter against Ohio State and was seen postgame on crutches and in a walking book, was removed from the availability report and thus cleared to play.
The sophomore, 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 while covering Buckeyes star receiver Jeremiah Smith. On the season, Frederique has allowed 17 catches on 30 targets against for 299 yards and one touchdown while breaking up three passes.
Frederique has been part of Miami’s four-man rotation at outside cornerback along with Xavier Lucas, Ethan O’Connor and Brown.
Elsewhere for Miami, linebacker Malik Bryant, wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw and defensive lineman Donta Simpson had already previously been ruled out.
For Ole Miss, offensive linemen John Wayne Oliver and PJ Wilkins, cornerback Cedrick Beavers and linebacker Raymond Collins — all reserves — are out.
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