Michael Irvin encouraged by Miami Hurricanes play in loss to Florida

In past year Miami Hurricanes prominent alums have been discouraged by the lack of fight during losses in big games. Michael Irvin declared the U back in a Twitter post on Monday despite the loss to Florida.

There was a lot to like and a lot to be critical of in the aftermath of the Miami Hurricanes 24-20 loss to Florida in Saturday night’s season opener. That has all been rehashed already. Miami head coach Manny Diaz and his coordinators, Dan Enos on offense and Blake Baker on defense will discuss more of it on Monday.

University of Miami Sports Hall of Famer Michael Irvin gave his take via Twitter on Monday morning. Brad Crawford of 247Sports transcribed part of the video that Irvin posted to his Twitter account.

Irvin gave a fiery speech on Friday night in Orlando in front of Miami fans. He gave Florida credit for the victory in his Monday rant and acknowledged giving into the Gators in the pre-game build-up. Irvin is encouraged by how the young Miami players performed.

He specifically mentioned the Miami freshmen, left tackles (Zion Nelson and John Campbell) and quarterback (Jarren Williams). Nelson is a true freshman, Williams and Campbell redshirted in 2018.

Penalties, not cashing in on four turnovers and ten sacks allowed did Miami in. A reduction in those mistakes would have provided Miami a better path to victory.

"“Let me send all you peeps out there this message to make sure y’all understand…I was hurt that my boys didn’t win that game Saturday night…Congrats to Florida for winning that game that we gave y’all a****.We gave it you. But let me tell you, more than hurt, I am encouraged. We had two freshman tackles, one a redshirt freshman and one a real freshman. Two freshman tackles. We’ve got a young quarterback and we still had that game in the midst of our hands.“Few (more) mistakes, we would’ve walked away in victory. I’m so encouraged about the future and I hope the rest of those guys are encouraged about the future.Miami is back. In the midst of a loss, I say we still back. That’s why I’m still wearing my U gear. We will never die and we will never quit. So eat that on your breakfast, lunch and dinner plate.”"

The penalties and sacks were Miami’s undoing as was not converting Florida turnovers into points. The Gators had four turnovers, but Miami only scored three points off of the Florida miscues. Florida converted Miami’s lone turnover into a touchdown. That came in the third quarter after a Jeff Thomas muff on a punt.

There might not be a bigger Miami Hurricanes fan than Michael Irvin. There certainly is not a more passionate one. Irvin’s son Michael II is currently Miami’s third-team tight end. Brevin Jordan was dominant for Miami at tight end on Saturday. Irvin and second-team tight end Will Mallory failed to catch a pass.

The tight ends are expected to be a big part of the Miami offense in 2019. The Hurricanes have week one off. They play at North Carolina September 7 before the home opener September 14 against Bethune-Cookman.