What Miami Hurricanes Offensive Players Said After Syracuse
The Miami Hurricanes received big games offensively from quarterback Malik Rosier, running back Travis Homer, wide receiver Ahmmon Richards and tight end Chris Herndon in a 27-19 victory over Syracuse.
The Miami Hurricanes passing game was aided by Richards and Herndon benefitting from a career high 344 yards from Rosier. Herndon set career highs with 10 receptions for 96 yards and a touchdown. Richards had a season-high six receptions and his 99 yards were just seven yards off his season high.
Travis Homer had another big game in his second straight start. The Sophomore running back had 99 yards on 20 carries. He added four receptions for 27 yards.
Homer, Richards and Herndon all spoke to the media following the Miami Hurricanes victory over Syracuse on Saturday.
Miami Senior TE Christopher Herndon IV
Herndon had six receptions for 74 yards on Miami’s first two scoring drives of the game. That put the Hurricanes up 10-0. Sandwiched in between was a punt after a three and out.
On the role he played offensively in the first half…
"“They like to get me going early. I think the coaches know that once they get me going, it’s hard to stop me. So I guess they saw that early and kept feeding me the ball and it was working.”"
On how the play calling helped get him good matchups…
"“Everybody likes that. Everybody wants to get that one pass going early and when we got to the second quarter, third quarter, we were able to start getting it going and it was just a good day for all of usffi. We took advantage of that early and kept it rolling throughout the whole game.”"
On how the shoulder issue affected him…
"“I was fine. Once we went to halftime they gave me some medicine and put a pad on it. So it’s fine, I’m just going to take care of it all weekend and I’ll be ready for next week.”"
Miami Sophomore WR Ahmmon Richards
Richards has missed three games this season after suffering a strained hamstring during training camp. He sat out the first two games of the season, then missed last week’s game against Georgia Tech.
On how he feels physically right now…
"“I’m alright. I’m getting back in the groove of a 60-minute game, but I’m alright.”"
Last week’s deluge in the second half against Georgia Tech left the Hard Rock Stadium turf in bad shape. Parts of the field were resodded during the week. Multiple players, especially the kickers were having trouble with footing against Syracuse.
On whether he thought about the conditions of the field…
"“It was in the back of my head at one point, but it’s football, so you can’t let stuff like that affect you.”"
On how it felt to get back on the field…
"“I was a little too excited I would say. I was just trying to make a play, but it felt great just getting back in front of the fans and just being able to play a whole game.”"
Leading 13-3 in the second quarter Richards went airborne over a Syracuse defender after catching a pass.
On jumping over defenders…
"“I wasn’t really thinking about it. When I saw him, he was just sitting flat-footed, so I knew he was going to take a shot at me. I was already running full speed, so I just hurdled him.”"
Miami Sophomore RB Travis Homer
Homer proved last week was no fluke by playing a huge part in the Miami Hurricanes offense on Saturday. His late touchdown on Saturday pushed the Miami lead to 27-19. It forced Syracuse to get a touchdown to try and tie the game and send it to overtime.
On the final touchdown…
"“I couldn’t do anything without my line. All props go to them. They gave me a nice hole and all I did was run fast.”"
On what the close games are like…
"“It’s always a good feeling to win, but just seeing your team stay strong and pull through, it’s the best.”"
The prevailing question as the Miami Hurricanes continue to win is “Is the U back”? This team has bigger goals than defeating Florida State or getting to a Bowl Game.
They want to get to the ACC Championship game, win it and hopefully get to the College Football Playoff or at the least a New Years’s Six Bowl Game.
On the excitement about being 6-0 and getting some notoriety…
"“We’re 6-0, but, like I said last week, that’s not our final goal. That’s all great, people are going to talk, but that’s not going to get to our head.”"
Richards presence in the Miami Hurricanes lineup changes the complexion of how opponents game plan. Homer was asked about the importance of the Sophomore wide receiver in the lineup.
On Ahmmon Richards battling through injuries and how important he is to the offense…
"“A healthy Ahmmon is great, but I’ve seen just trying to get back on the field. When he is on the field he does good things, so it’s always good to have him out there.”"
The Miami Hurricanes offense continues to make big plays in pressure situations. Head Coach Mark Richt continues to be frustrated with his team’s inability to play consistently well throughout every game.
In spite of that, the Hurricanes have started 6-0 for the first time in 15 yards. Once they are able to play a complete game against an elite opponent, this team can accomplish more than was expected at the beginning of the season.