CORAL GABLES/ORLANDO – After going through it all in his earlier years, from injuries to position changes, senior Scott Patchan enters the Miami Hurricanes season-opening game in an unfamiliar position: as a starter.
After redshirting to start off his career, Patchan battled through knee injuries and a position change to tight end and to defensive end, only to end up with a career-high 29 tackles last season.
All of that accumulated into him finally earning the start, something he says he has been waiting a long time for.
“This is something that I have been waiting on,” said Patchan. “I am ready to finally have it happen. Everything happens for a reason, so I feel like I am supposed to be here in this moment right now.”
Patchan saw much improvement in his game last year. His fuel is – in part – driven by not being able to work as much after injuring his knee in a game against Florida State during his sophomore year.
Patchan saw action in 12 of the team’s 13 games and recorded a multitude of multi tackle games. He also ended the season on a good note, tying his career high of six tackles in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl against Wisconsin.
Patchan, despite the rivalry between the two schools, still respects what Florida brings to the table.
“We’re definitely going to respect going against those guys,” Patchan said. “They have scholarship guys, just like us, so we definitely have to look at their film and see what they’re doing.”
With this not only being a rivalry game, but also the 150th anniversary of college football, Patchan does have advice for his teammates who might not have as much experience as the redshirt senior.
“Stay locked in,” he said. “The main thing is coming off the sidelines and sometimes you’re not paying attention because your mind is elsewhere, so just keeping your head in the game for the most part is what I preach to them.”
We’ll be able to see if Patchan and his teammates are able to stay locked in when the Hurricanes and the Florida Gators kick off the college football season tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Orlando.
Game location: Camping World Stadium – Orlando, Fla.
Telecast: ESPN
