Miami Hurricanes coaching staff still frustrated with offensive line

Entering the 2018 season the biggest concern from Mark Richt and the Miami Hurricanes coaching staff was the offensive line.

That hasn’t changed through the Miami Hurricanes first two games. Speaking with reporters earlier this week Richt and his staff were not pleased with the play of the offensive line in the 77-0 victory over Savannah State on Saturday night.

The poor blocking per Richt was not just limited to the offensive line. The Miami Hurricanes Head Coach said that it was throughout the team. He mentioned that many plays in the running game could have been better if the blocking on the edge was improved. It came down to effort.

Miami has stabilized its offensive line after a lot of shuffling around this Spring. Senior center Tyler Gauthier is the only Hurricanes starter in the same position as last season. They now have two complete games under their belt, but still, have work to do.

The Hurricanes are going to have to run the ball better if they are going to repeat their ACC Coastal Division title. Miami is averaging 161 yards per game on the ground. The Hurricanes had 239 of their 322 rushing yards on the season against woeful Savannah State. Miami had just 83 yards on 34 carries against LSU.

Richt discussed the issues with his team’s ability to block against Savannah State. 

"“We didn’t block up to our standards and we take a lot of pride in that…We would have had a bunch of lot bigger runs if we would have blocked a lot better on the perimeter. A lot times our line got us to the edge and then we faltered out there blocking.“A lot of it is effort, a lot of it is technique and a lot of it is just caring enough to do it and we didn’t do a great job at it. That’s going to be a big point of emphasis for us.”"

Richt knows that the offensive line play is still developing.

"“I think it’s still a work in progress to be honest with you. I’m not pushing any alarm. I think Tyree [St. Louis] is handling left tackle a little bit better than Navaughn [Donaldson] [is handling right tackle].  But Navaughn is battling and working and knows he’s got to work hard on his technique and quickness and things of that nature.We had Venzell Boulware in the game early, rotating at the guard position at both sides. Before last game was over we had Hayden [Mahoney] at center, Corey [Gaynor] at guard. We had Campbell playing tackle. Zalon’tae got in. Dykstra got in. A lot of guys got to play.The ones we have most game ready are the top five and then Venzell. We mentioned [DJ] Scaife is coming along quickly. Maybe Scaife can help the rotation at tackle possibly, sooner or later, maybe this week. Venzell rotating in at guard.I think that’s really helpful for a guy to rest a series. We can always rest Tyler if we need to by putting Hayden at center. Hayden has done a really good job at guard and center.”"

Next up for Miami is a trip to Toledo on Saturday. It’s tough to take anything out of the Rockets victory opening weekend over FCS Virginia Military Institute. The Rockets shredded the Keydets 66-3. Toledo had a bye last week. The Rockets held the Keydets to 48 yards on 30 yards carries.

Miami had trouble offensively in the first half against Toledo last season. The Hurricanes trailed 16-10 at halftime. Miami rallied by scoring 42 points in the second half, 28 in the fourth quarter.

Former Miami running back Mark Walton had the best game of his Hurricanes career against Toledo last season. He led the Miami ground attack with 204 yards on 11 carries and a touchdown. That was part of a Hurricanes ground game that totaled 254 yards and four touchdowns.

Travis Homer added eight carries for 32 yards and two touchdowns and added three carries for 66 yards. Malik Rosier threw for his then career high of 333 yards and three touchdowns and added one on the ground. Miami rolled up their 2017 season high of 587 yards in total offense. This year should be a bit more difficult on the road.