Miami football: OC Dan Enos pleased with young receivers
During his weekly Monday press conference to discuss the previous weekend’s game, offensive coordinator Dan Enos praised the young receivers for the Miami football team.
Against FCS Bethune-Cookman the Miami football team got a chance to play the majority of the young receivers and tight ends in a 63-0 victory. Several Hurricanes got their first extended playing time on Saturday. Four Miami players had their first receptions of the season and two had the first catches of their career.
The biggest breakout on Saturday came from sophomore wide receiver Mark Pope. Pope finally showed the explosiveness expected of him when he signed with Miami in 2018. He had three receptions for 92 yards including a long of 54 from Jarren Williams and a 21-yard run. Pope wasn’t the only receiver to shine.
True freshman tight end Larry Hodges has played tight end, H-back and fullback through the first three games of 2019. Hodges finally got on the score sheet on Saturday. Hodges caught two passes for three yards, both of which went for touchdowns.
Freshman Jeremiah Payton‘s seven-yard reception was the first of his career. Sophomores Brian Hightower and Dee Wiggins had their first receptions of 2019. Hightower had five receptions for 51 yards. Wiggins added one for 14.
Pope suffered an undiagnosed foot injury against Bethune-Cookman. If he is out for an extended period of time, the aforementioned receivers will have to contribute behind starters
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. Osborne continued to impress with four receptions for 58 yards and a tough catch on his lone touchdown.
Harley, a Junior, finally caught the first touchdown reception of his career versus Bethune-Cookman. Harley finished with three receptions for 49 yards. Enos discussed Pope and Hodges’ play during his press conference on Monday.
"“He (Pope) looked great…He looked like the explosive, fast receiver that I heard a lot about when I first got here. He is starting to feel more comfortable. If guys don’t know where to line up and what to do, they are going to play slower because you are thinking too much. When you play fast is when you know what to do.He has tremendous ball skills and he has shown that since he arrived on campus—the ability to catch and run routes…He has good hips and body control We have very good tight ends, but we are trying to expand Larry’s role because we feel like he can be that H-back or in the backfield. His role is going to continue to increase.”"
Hightower and Wiggins are players to watch for the remainder of the 2019 season for the Miami football team if Pope is not healthy. Enos has used a short rotation at wide receiver this year but has said as the season goes on they could expand that. A lot will depend on the effectiveness of the Miami starters.
Next. Miami sees explosiveness needed from Pope. dark
Thomas has not gotten off to a good start this season. The Junior has 12 receptions for 103 yards. His 8.3 yards per reception is nearly half of his 16.1 YPC in 2018. If Thomas is not going to provide the big-play ability expected of him that will likely translate to more snaps for Pope if healthy or Hightower or Wiggins.