Manny Diaz non-committal on QB versus Virginia if D’Eriq King out
Following outstanding performances by freshmen quarterbacks Tyler Van Dyke and Jake Garcia in the Hurricanes 69-0 victory over Central Connecticut State on Saturday head coach Manny Diaz was non-committal in the post-game about the starter against Virginia on Thursday if D’Eriq King cannot play.
Van Dyke completed 10 passes in 11 attempts for 270 yards and three TD passes. Garcia had 11 completions in 14 attempts for 147 yards and two TDs and had one carry for 45 yards rushing. King sat out Saturday against the Blue Devils with an injured shoulder suffered in last Saturday’s loss to Michigan State.
Garcia and Van Dyke gave a glimpse of the future on Saturday. In the post-game on Saturday, Manny Diaz stated that Miami feels good about Garcia and Van Dyke. True freshmen wide receivers Romello Brinson, Jacolby George and Breshard Smith all had their first collegiate touchdown receptions on Saturday.
When asked who will start against Virginia on Thursday, Diaz stated that whoever gives the Hurricanes the best chance to win. Diaz said in the postgame on King’s status for Thursday “We’ll have an idea sometime this week [on his availability vs. Virginia]. I probably won’t know more until Monday.”
"“It’s kind of a hypothetical right now. Based on the evidence of what you saw today, it feels like both guys, we feel good about both guys. Neither guy would not deserve to play.So that’s something we have to watch the film reevaluate see where we’re at, see where D’Eriq said, obviously the short week quick turnaround, then whatever gives us the best chance to win is what we’ll do…He’s (King) limited in his motions and movements. I think the plan was to give it some time, see how it settles down and then we’ll have an idea sometime this week. Quick turnaround, so we got to get an idea for reps in practice, so I probably won’t know until Monday, I guess.”"
Gaby Urrutia of Inside the U quoted Diaz from his postgame press conference in the above video. Consensus speculation on King from reporters has been that he will likely miss the game against Virginia. There has been a lot of unverified information that King will miss four to six weeks to his season being over.
Next. Miami strikes lightning early and often versus Central Connecticut State. dark
Virginia began the season with convincing victories over William and Mary and Illinois. The Cavaliers were lit up in a 59-39 loss to North Carolina last week and 37-17 by Wake Forest on Friday night. Virginia is 73rd in pass defense nationally allowing 221.8 yards per game. The short turnaround will be difficult to prepare the QBs.