Miami Hurricanes lose Amari Carter for targeting again

For the second time in the last three games, Miami Hurricanes safety Amari Carter has been ejected for targeting.

Miami Hurricanes senior safety Amari Carter who is second on the team in tackles was ejected for targeting on the first Virginia drive of the game. Carter was ejected for targeting for the second time in the last three games. Carter was also ejected against Clemson. The targeting calls on Carter are becoming too common.

This is the second year in a row that Carter has been ejected for targeting against Virginia and his fourth overall in the last two years. Miami was already thin at safety entering the game. It was announced in the pre-game that freshman safety Brian Balom who filled in for Carter at Clemson was out.

Starters Bubba Bolden and Gurvan Hall will likely receive the majority of the snaps. Bolden leads Miami with 33 tackles. Freshman Jalen Harrell could receive the first significant playing time of his career. Miami could choose to use two strikers with Gilbert Frierson and Keontra Smith.

The ejection of Carter greatly hinders the depth for Miami at safety and will likely impact what defensive coordinator Blake Baker wants to do. Bolden has been the best playmaker Miami has had on defense this season. Hall was the learning returning tackler for Miami entering 2020.

As a senior, Carter is continually putting his teammates, particularly at safety in a tough position without him on the field. Miami loses one of its most experienced players on defense every time Carter gets ejected. Linebacker Zach McCloud is by far the most experienced player on the Miami defense.

The ejection of Carter came on the first play from scrimmage for Virginia. The Cavaliers later scored on that drive to tie the game 7-7. Miami went 75 yards on two plays in 28 seconds to take a 7-0 lead on the opening drive of the game. A 43 yard D’Eriq King to Mike Harley TD pass opened the scoring.