Mark Richt frustrated by lack of calls against opposing defensive backs

Appearing on Hurricane Hotline on WQAM earlier this week Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Mark Richt discussed his displeasure with the lack of defensive holding and interference calls against opposing defensive backs.

This isn’t the first time that the lack of holding calls against Miami has been discussed by Mark Richt. Only five holding penalties were called against opposing offensive lines in 2017. The Hurricanes opponents went 31 quarters during one stretch last season without being called for holding.

The lack of holding called against 2017 Miami opponents was tough to understand. The Hurricanes led the nation in sacks and were fourth in tackles for loss in 2018. There was also a missed holding call on the Wisconsin defense against Lawrence Cager last season. After the no-call, Malik Rosier threw a critical interception.

Miami ranks 103rd nationally in opponent penalties called in 2018. It’s just as baffling this season as it was in 2017. That is in spite of the Hurricanes leading the country in tackles for loss and ranking 21st in sacks. Through three games opponents have been called for 14 penalties for 128 yards.

In his rant about the officiating Richt acknowledged he might be whining but didn’t understand why more penalties haven’t been called against the Hurricanes opponents. His rhetoric was more specific to opposing defensive backs.

"“I know I sound like a big baby sometimes…but it’s incredible what officials allow defensive backs to do – snatching and grabbing and pulling and pass interference. If that happens, we have to be more physical running the routes. It’s making me crazy….We thought there was a lot more holding and pass interference [against Toledo] but that’s part of the game.”"

Malik Rosier is 36th out of 96 qualified passers nationally averaging 8.5 yards per attempt. Throwing the ball downfield more often usually results in pass interference calls. Rosier has 14 completions of 15 yards or more and nine of 25 or more. He had four completions against Toledo that were for 30 or more yards.

Miami did have one play where one of their receivers flexed his muscles. Lawrence Cager outmuscled the Toledo receiver when he went up for a five-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter. That extended Miami’s lead to 35-21. The Rockets did not reach the end zone the rest of the afternoon.

FIU has been lauded all week by Mark Richt and the Miami Hurricanes coaching staff for possessing excellent speed. Surprisingly their secondary also has exceptional height, specifically for a team from Conference USA. Three of the four defensive backs that start for the Panthers are at least 6’1.

Miami should still be able to take advantage of FIU’s secondary. Only one of the Panthers second-team defensive backs is over 6’0. As Richt said the Hurricanes receivers need to be more physical running their routes. That onus has to begin with Cager and Senior Darrell Langham.

Langham is likely to start in place of Ahmmon Richards who is sitting out his third straight game on Saturday. Cager is 6’5 218 pounds, Langham 6’4 220. None of the FIU defensive backs weigh over 200 pounds. That should allow at least Cager and Langham to be more physical in their route running.