Miami football have contingency plan if Brevin Jordan out Saturday
The Miami football team could be without their leading receiver in yards on Saturday when the Hurricanes host Louisville. Head coach Manny Diaz said that tight end Brevin Jordan will be a game-time decision.
Sophomore tight end Brevin Jordan leads the Miami football team with 495 receiving yards, is second with 35 receptions and third with three touchdown catches. The Hurricanes might be without their star in the final home game of 2019 on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium against Louisville.
Jordan will be a game-time decision according to Miami football head coach Manny Diaz. Jordan excited Saturday’s 27-10 victory over Florida State with a foot injury in the fourth quarter on Dee Wiggins TD reception and did not return. If Jordan cannot play Will Mallory will get the start and Michael Irvin will have an increase in snaps.
Neither Irvin or Mallory are near the talent that Jordan is. Mallory and Irvin have combined for 18 receptions for 193 yards and two TDs in their careers. Mallory is a sophomore and Irvin a redshirt junior. Irvin is the son of the original Miami playmaker of the same name. Mallory has failed to live up to his billing when he signed.
Jarren Williams was back at QB full time for Miami against Florida State and did an exceptional job spreading the ball around. Williams completed passes to seven different receivers including TD passes to Wiggins and junior Jeff Thomas. Diaz spoke about Jordan’s status after practice on Wednesday.
"“Brevin is getting better every day, At this point I’d say he’s a game-time decision.”"
Jordan had six receptions for 48 yards against Florida State. His performance against the Seminoles was Jordan”s best since he had seven receptions for 136 yards and a TD against Virginia Tech last month. Jordan has increasingly being used as a blocker because of the instability of the Miami offensive line.
Miami is 126th in sacks allowed this season with 3.89 per game. The Hurricanes have allowed 35 total, but 10 of those came in the season opener against Florida. Miami offensive coordinator Dan Enos spoke about the contribution that Jordan has made this season and the prospect of Irvin, Mallory and junior Brian Polendey filling in.
"“Brevin had another good game, he does everything–caught the ball, blocked, but when he went out I will say Will Mallory and Michael Irvin did a really, really good job in their blocking. I don’t think they had opportunities for any catches, but we use both of those guys on routes.We don’t have any reservations about using either one of those guys in the pass game. And even Brian Polendey came in and did some stuff in our 22 personnel package and did some really good blocking at the point of attack as well. We’re really happy with Brevin. Obviously we think he’s a difference-maker…Those other guys continue to come along and Michael Irvin will have a role. he did a good job. We feel very comfortable putting him in and with the emergence of Polendey a little too we can use him in some certain situations as well.”"
Louisville has a mediocre pass rush. That should give Mallory and Irvin a chance to contribute in the passing game. Polendey is more of a blocker. The Cardinals are tied for 63rd nationally averaging 2.25 sacks per game. Louisville has a poor pass defense. They are 106th allowing 259.4 passing yards per game.