Miami offensive line late injury update from field

Miami sideline reporter Josh Darrow observed on the radio broadcast that starting right guard Anez Cooper was running with the ones in the pregame. Starting left tackle Jalen Rivers remains out for South Florida on Saturday night. Mario Cristobal was hopeful earlier this week that Rivers would play on Saturday.

Cooper suffered an ankle injury during Miami's 62-0 win over Ball State last Saturday. Rivers will miss his third consecutive game versus South Florida. Miami is also without starters, left guard Ryan Rodriguez, defensive lineman Rueben Bain and cornerback Damari Brown.

Bain. Brown and Rodriguez have all been out since suffering injuries in the season opening 41-17 win at Florida. Elijah Alston, Tyler Baron and Akheem Mesidor will share the snaps at edge rusher with Bain out. True freshman O.J. Frederique has been starting in place of Brown. Redshirt sophomore Matthew McCoy will start at LG.

Miami has continued rolling offensively without Cooper, Rodriquez and Rivers. The Hurricanes are 15th nationally allowing eight sacks in 2024, 32nd permitting three sacks and 22nd averaging 6.0 yards per carry. Miami will have a big advantage on the offensive line, even without Rodriguez and Rivers.

Massive 6'9 340 pound Markel Bell will start at left tackle in replace of Rivers. Bell was the top ranked 2024 junior college offensive tackle and still learning to play at the Power Conference level. After some early penalties versus Florida A&M in week two, Bell has improved over the last two games.

Bell is a player to watch on Saturday to see how South Florida will attack him. Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson might add extra protection depending on how well Bell plays on Saturday. South Florida is ninth nationally averaging 9.0 TFLs and 18th with 3.0 sacks produced per game.

Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal made it a priority to add depth up front when they were hired in 2021. The depth has been tested this season with the injuries to Rivers and Rodriguez. Bell. Louis Cristobal and McCoy have played well as replacements.