Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Mark Richt met with the media on Tuesday morning. He discussed a multitude of topics related to Sunday night’s season opener against LSU.
First on Richt’s mind was that he knows the challenge that LSU will provide for his Miami Hurricanes. Richt is aware of the history between these teams and the last time they met. LSU defeated Miami 40-3 in the 2005 Peach Bowl. That was the worst bowl loss in Miami program history and LSU’s biggest win.
Miami and LSU have played 12 times with the Tigers winning nine. The teams previous meeting to 2005 was a 44-3 victory for the Hurricanes in Baton Rouge in 1988.
RIcht went on to discuss what his team is up against Sunday night and his history playing LSU. Christy Cabrera Chirinos of the Sun Sentinel did an excellent job summarizing Richt’s press conference in the Sun Sentinel.
"“We know we’re in for quite a challenge. Being a coach in the SEC all those years, you know what LSU’s about and I had the chance to play them a few times. A great challenge, I’ll say that.”"
Next up from Richt was discussing his and the Miami Hurricanes first trip to AT&T Stadium, AKA Jerry World home of the Dallas Cowboys. It’s an immense stadium that at the time it was built featured the world’s largest LED scoreboard. It has since been surpassed by the Jacksonville Jaguars home TIAA Stadium.
Richt said the team would take a tour of AT&T Stadium before they play there Sunday night.
"“I’ve never been in a stadium like that. I’ve never been in that stadium. … As soon as we get in town, we’re going to try and go over there and take a peek.We’re going to at least get our team in there and let them look and it’ll be nothing like game day, I’m sure. But at least they’ll have a little bit of an idea of what they’re up against.”"
Richt subsequently discussed the crowd noise and whether or not it would be like a home game for LSU. He said the Hurricanes plan to utilize non-verbal signals to combat any advantage that the Tigers might have while Miami is on offense.
One of the nice things that the Hurricanes will be doing this season is to honor the victims of the shooting at Majorie Stoneman-Douglas High School in Parkland. RIcht mentioned that the baseball team honored MSD with a decal on their helmets and that the football team would be doing the same.
The Miami offense was depleted with injuries at the end of the 2017 season. RIcht was asked what did the offense learn from the three-game losing streak to end 2017.
Malik Rosier’s 14 interceptions last season hurt the Hurricanes offense. Five of them came during the final three games of the season. The Miami offense also has to limit its penalties.
"“They know to be great on offense you can’t have self-inflicted wounds by jumping offsides, [getting] foolish penalties, missed assignments. And everybody has to execute.”"
There has been a lot of speculation over who the Hurricanes backup quarterback will be. Richt said it will be “one of those two.” meaning either one of the two Redshirt Freshmen N’Kosi Perry or Cade Weldon.
Freshman Gregory Rousseau is reportedly listed as a co-starter at defensive end with Senior Demetrius Jackson. That is presumably on the side that Jon Garvin had been expected to be the starter. Richt said he did not see the defensive depth chart. The one officially released by the school has Garvin as a starter.
"“Rousseau’s going to play. And he’s going to play a lot. I think that’s where he is on the depth chart.”"
LSUDepth Chart by Anonymous S4PLYUx0 on Scribd
One of the most anticipated Miami players on Sunday night will be the return of defensive tackle Gerald Willis. Willis will make his return in a Miami Hurricanes jersey against his home state team. Willis is from New Orleans.
"“I know he’s excited about it. We all know he went through a time where he couldn’t play for us. He had to be on the scout team last year and I think one thing that might have eased the pain just a little bit for him was knowing that this game was coming.It was something he could really look forward to. And I think real close after that is playing against his home state team.”"
Richt went on to discuss the depth at wide receiver, Rosier’s accuracy and the health of his team. Richt said that as many receivers as they trust will play. If they trust all of their scholarship receivers then they will all play. Rosier is constantly getting better but he cannot make dangerous throws per his Head Coach.
The health heading into the opener against LSU is good for the most part. The Hurricanes will obviously be missing tight end Michael Irvin II and offensive lineman George Brown who suffered MCL tears in training camp. Linebacker DeAndre Wilder who recently suffered an unspecified injury is also expected out.