Virginia was the catalyst for Miami’s spiral downward in 2018. The 16-13 loss to the Cavaliers brought back the since graduated Malik Rosier at quarterback. N’Kosi Perry struggled early in Charlottesville. Perry was 3-6 for 20 yards with two interceptions. Rosier finished 12-23 for 170 yards with an INT.
Miami was able to move the ball but three turnovers and stalling drives hindered them throughout the night. The Miami football team outgained the Cavaliers 339-231. Virginia also had three turnovers. Miami didn’t get in the end zone until a Rosier 11-yard touchdown run with 3:04 remaining in the game.
The struggles from the Miami offense repeated the 2018 season opener against LSU and foreshadowed what was to come in the next three games. That partially led to Mark Richt’s downfall and his decision to retire. A lot more is expected from the Miami offense in 2019.
The Cavaliers visit to Hard Rock stadium this season is being projected as one of the biggest games in the ACC Coastal Division in 2019. The teams will play on October 11 which is a Friday night. Miami hosts Virginia Tech just six days before they play Virginia. It’s a quick turnaround in a big ACC Coastal division game.
#TNM is a higher standard and as Shaq says, it's spreading across the whole team. pic.twitter.com/cAsZupCIkx
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) April 25, 2019
"The race to win ACC Coastal in 2019 is a wide-open battle, and Virginia is positioned for a run at the program’s first trip to the conference title game. Under coach Bronco Mendenhall, the Cavaliers have increased their win total in back-to-back years. After winning two games in 2016, Virginia bumped that mark to six in ’17 and eight last fall. The Cavaliers recorded a victory over South Carolina in the Belk Bowl and finished .500 or better for the first time in ACC play since 2011. Mendenhall’s team will be anchored by dynamic senior Bryce Perkins at quarterback, who averaged 277.2 total yards a game in his first year in Charlottesville. Perkins’ supporting cast will require a little retooling… The line has to replace three starters and running back Jordan Ellis (1,026 yards) and receiver Olamide Zaccheaus (93 catches) have expired their eligibility. The return of Hasise Dubois (52 catches) and Joe Reed (25) provides an experienced foundation for Perkins to lean on at receiver. Virginia’s defense ranked among the best in the ACC last fall, holding opponents to 20.1 points a game and 5.3 yards a play. This unit got a boost after the Belk Bowl victory, as cornerback Bryce Hall – an expected All-American for 2019 – announced his return for his senior year. Mendenhall and coordinator Nick Howell will have to replace linebacker Chris Peace and defensive backs Tim Harris and Juan Thornhill, but there’s good depth and talent returning at every level, ensuring this unit will remain near the top of the ACC. Virginia will be tested right away with matchups at Pitt and Notre Dame, along with a home date against Florida State in the first five weeks of 2019. A road trip to Miami is on tap for Oct. 11, but the Cavaliers play their last three games at home, including the Nov. 29 showdown versus Virginia Tech."
Seasons from one year to the next are often fluid other than Alabama and Clemson. Who is good one year to the next is unpredictable as Miami and Florida have proven the last two seasons. Miami seems primed to be another program on the rise this season with Diaz as the head coach and Enos running the offense.