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Miami Hurricanes Need Better First Halves from QB Malik Rosier

By Alan Rubenstein

CHAPEL HILL, NC - OCTOBER 28: Malik Rosier
CHAPEL HILL, NC - OCTOBER 28: Malik Rosier /
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Malik Rosier has led the Miami Hurricanes to some miraculous second halves this season. The Hurricanes have struggled in the first half. With Virginia Tech and Notre Dame the next two the Hurricanes need to play better in the first half.

The Miami Hurricanes have scored 84 points in the first half this season. They have 140 points after halftime. It’s a lot of pressure to put on Manny Diaz’s defense for the offense to continue to get off to slow starts.

With tough games coming up the next two weeks against number 13 Virginia Tech and number three Notre Dame the Hurricanes need better play from the offense in the first half.

Rosier’s first half versus second half splits have been dramatic. The redshirt Junior quarterback has thrown for 836 yards six touchdowns and no interceptions in the first half. He has completed 56.4 percent of his passes and averaged 7.15 yards per completion. Rosier’s first-half quarterback rate has been 133.4.

The second half has been a stark difference. Having to play well after slow starts, Rosier has led the Hurricanes to several come from behind victories in the second half this season.

Rosier has thrown for 1,235 yards completing 57.0 of his passes for an average of 9.15 yards per completion. He has also thrown 11 touchdowns and four interceptions with a 154.8 quarterback rating.

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    • Rosier has been exceptional in the red zone. Although Miami has one of the best red zone conversion rates they have had to settle for too many field goals. Rosier has completed 59.3 percent of his passes for nine touchdowns and no interceptions with a 203.2 quarterback rating in the red zone.

    Rosier has also been very good on first down. For that to continue the Hurricanes have to have a good day running the football. If both Rosier and Sophomore running back Travis Homer can continually be successful running against Virginia Tech that will set up run-pass options and play action on first down.

    First down has been Rosier’s most productive down this season. He has thrown for 856 yards, completed 61.1 percent of his passes, average 7.93 yards per completion with eight touchdowns and no interceptions on first down. He also has a 153.3 quarterback rating on first down.

    All of this interrelates. The biggest key still comes down to the first half. If Rosier and the Miami Hurricanes offense gets off to a slow start they could wind up in a hole they will not be able to get out of this time.

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    Miami might be headed for a fifth straight game that’s decided in the last two minutes. They need to make sure that they are competitive offensively in the first half to take pressure off their

    defense. As the leader of the offense that’s on Rosier more than anyone.

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