The Miami Hurricanes held their first scrimmage of the Spring on Saturday. The quarterbacks struggled in the controlled scrimmage. Quarterbacks were not allowed to be tackled.
After the scrimmage, Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Mark Richt said in a post-game meeting with reporters that incumbent starting quarterback Malik Rosier is still the leader to be the starter this fall.
Miami will get ready for the return of the Spring game next Saturday. The Hurricanes did not have a Spring game last season as Hard Rock Stadium was still under renovation.
Rosier and backup N’Kosi Perry shared the snaps with the first team offense. They only went up against the first team defense. True Freshman Jarren Williams snaps came exclusively with the second team offense against the second team defense.
Both the first and second team offense struggled in the first half that was dominated by the defenses. The first-team offense was more productive than the defense in the second half according to Richt.
Hear what @MarkRicht had to say after today's scrimmage out on Greentree: https://t.co/ovLbtSU5wu
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) April 7, 2018
Some of the standouts on offense were Williams, running backs Travis Homer and DeeJay Dallas and wide receiver Jeff Thomas. With the second team offense, Williams went six for eight for 86 yards and two touchdowns. He was also five of eight for 71 yards with the third primarily the third team offense in seven on seven drills.
Homer finished with eight carries for 42 yards and a touchdown. Dallas had eight for 37 and a touchdown.
Thomas had the biggest day by far for the receivers. He finished with three receptions for 94 yards and two TDs. Thomas continued to be a big play receiver for Miami. He averaged 22 yards per reception in 2017.
Richt spoke extensively with reporters after the reporters after the game about the offense’s performance.
"“The [first-team offense] in the first half of the day had zero points and barely a first down…In the second half the No. 1 O scored.”"
The offensive line reportedly struggled throughout the scrimmage. Center Tyler Gauthier had to be moved to right tackle at times. The Hurricanes are going to need to figure it out this fall or give right tackle some help.
That could mean more playing time than expected for Sophomore tight end Brian Polendey. Otherwise, incoming Freshmen tight ends Brevin Jordan or Will Mallory will have to help with protection more than will be expected of them. Michael Irvin II still figures somewhere in the mix.
The Hurricanes are going to need better play from Rosier and redshirt Freshman N’Kosi Perry in next week’s Spring Game than they had in Saturday’s first scrimmage of the spring. Rosier was eight of 17 for 109 yards with two touchdowns an interception. Perry was six of 13 for 33 yards with an INT.
Next: Can Malik Rosier be pushed for Miami Hurricanes starting quarterback
The lack of accuracy from Rosier still has to be a concern. He completed 42.9 percent of his passes in the three Miami Hurricanes losses to end the 2017 season. Rosier had a 54 percent completion percentage for the entire 2017 season. He finished eighth in the ACC in passing efficiency in 2017.