Miami football team not likely to have a QB Controversy

Following the 42-35 loss to Virginia Tech by the Miami football team Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz stated that Jarren Williams is still their starting quarterback.

The Miami football team suffered their third heartbreaking loss of 2019 42-35 at home to Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon. The Hurricanes had to crawl back from a 28-0 first-half deficit to get back into the game. Backup quarterback N’Kosi Perry relived starter Jarren Williams following three first-quarter interceptions.

Williams was 4-7 for 47 yards and the three interceptions before being yanked following Miami’s third drive of the game. Perry came in and Miami promptly turned it over again after Mike Harley fumbled following a five-yard run Virginia Tech scored following Harley’s turnover and led 21-0 with 2:!6 remaining in the fourth quarter.

After a three and out for the offense for the Miami football team, Virginia Tech went 80 yards in 12 plays in 6:02 to extend the Hokies lead to 28-0. The Hurricanes offense was anemic until the final play of the first half. Perry launched a moon ball on a hail mary that Mark Pope caught following a Will Mallory tip.

That brought Miami back in the game. Perry and the Miami offense exploded in the second half, especially in the fourth quarter. The redshirt sophomore finished the first half 9-15 for 170  yards with the one TD and one interception. In the final 30 minutes, Perry was 21-32 for 252 yards three TDs and no INTs.

It was a brilliant performance that almost staged one of if not the biggest comeback in Miami football history. Despite the heroics and Perry and the offense for the Miami football team, Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz said following the loss that Jarren Williams is still their QB.

"“We still believe in Jarren as our guy…I don’t know what would change. We just feel as this game was going on that N’Kosi gave us the best chance to win.I don’t know how you would describe a bench, but obviously we felt like the way Jarren started the game that we felt N’Kosi had a chance to come in and see what was going on in there and see if he could do something to light a spark.Obviously Jarren was seeing it late or getting the ball out late or whatever it was with three interceptions in that quick succession. I thought N’Kosi went in and from that point on he went in and gave us the best chance to win. We didn’t want to do anything to wreck Jarren’s confidence.I thought he was uneven like our whole performance. I thought he (Perry) made some really good throws and kept some things alive, but I think when he watches it on film there were some throws that feeling the anticipation that if he just lets it rip there were some big plays that were available.”"

In addition to being yanked because of the three interceptions or not seeing the defense well, it was reported during the game by sideline reporter Olivia Dekker that Williams went to the locker room because of a shoulder injury he had entering the game. Manny Navarro of The Athletic also noticed Williams working on his shoulder.

Diaz answered the questions about the possibility of Williams having a lingering injury on his shoulder after the game. The injury does not seem to be anything that will hinder Williams the rest of the season. When it comes to injuries coaches are going to reveal the minimum amount of information possible.

"“He was healthy enough to play today and healthy enough to go back in there again.”"

The questions about who will be the quarterback against Virginia on Friday night will linger all week. Williams’ injury does not appear to be serious. It should be an interesting week of practice at the Greentree Practice Fields.