After admitting on Monday he is enjoying the media trying to guess what he is going to do, Miami Hurricanes Head Coach Mark Richt had Malik Rosier first in the quarterback rotation at Tuesday’s practice.
The question everyone wants to know this week is who is the Miami Hurricanes starting quarterback. If Mark Richt trots out Rosier on the first series he knows he and his team will be subjected to a series of boos. Richt has been consistent in saying the quarterback will be the one who gives his team the best chance to win.
After last Saturday’s performance by N’Kosi Perry, it’s pretty clear that he gives the Hurricanes a better chance to win that Rosier does. Richt said Rosier didn’t do anything wrong. He wasn’t consistently good enough to securely be the starting quarterback.
Rosier was doing a better job taking care of the ball this season. He has just two interceptions through the first four games. The Redshirt Senior has been too erratic with his throws, though. Rosier’s completion percentage has gone down from 54 percent in 2017 to 52.1 percent this season.
The reports from Tuesday’s practice that Rosier was taking the first team snaps set off a firestorm. Fans tweeted out GIFS of train wrecks (even if in jest) and one fan said they are beginning to hate Richt.
Mark Richt on yesterday said he was having a little fun with us yesterday during media viewing.
— Christy Chirinos (@ChristyChirinos) September 25, 2018
The fun continuing today?
The QB rotation through a few drills:
Malik Rosier, N’Kosi Perry, Cade Weldon, Jarren Williams.
The extreme to how some fans took it seriously was summed up perfectly in one tweet in the thread below Chirinos’ tweet.
Nooooooooooo...... Why do you torment us Mark Richt!!!!!
— Saba29 (@esaba29) September 25, 2018
One of Canes Warning’s most loyal fans summarized it impeccably for Richt who said on Monday he likes to keep things to himself.
Susan it will be Perry for sure but I don’t blame the Coach to keep it for himself TIL game time.
— Canes and Mario Cristobal it's time to win BIG! (@Montreal_Cane) September 25, 2018
Perry more than proved he is ready to ascend to being the Miami Hurricanes starting quarterback. In two appearances this season Perry has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 317 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. He has also added 25 yards rushing.
Richt told reporters on Monday that Perry, Rosier and Redshirt Freshman Cade Weldon would rotate reps with the first team offense in practice. Weldon has only attempted three passes this season and has two carries for five yards.
It would be shocking for anyone but Perry to trot out with the first team offense when Miami plays North Carolina on Thursday. With Florida State looming nine days later Mark Richt is going to want Perry to be ready. No matter how inept the Seminoles have looked this season that game is always a battle of attrition.
Richt essentially admitted to toying with the media on Monday during practice.
"“I’m not telling what’s up. I had a little fun today, a little running back drill. I know how much y’all watch it. I saw y’all scribbling. I got a good chuckle on that one. So, anyway, everybody … Malik got first-team reps, Kosi got first-team reps. Weldon got some first-team reps.”"
The media is likely to know at the same time as the fans…when the offense takes the field on Thursday night. North Carolina is likely preparing for Perry more than Rosier. Taking any of Richt actions with the rotation or his statements earnestly at this point is mere speculation. It’s best to wait until 8 PM on Thursday and see what happens.