MIAMI GARDENS – It was something for everyone in Miami’s home opener against Savannah State.
In the Hurricanes 77-0 win over the Tigers, fifth-year senior quarterback Malik Rosier bounced back nicely with three total first-half touchdowns and no turnovers. He found the end zone on three of his five series on the field, finishing with 131 passing yards (8-of-12 passing; 67 percent completion rate) and two scores in the air.
Rosier scored his second rushing touchdown of the season in the first half of this weekend’s game, which actually means something. He’s tied for the team lead after two games played with newcomer Lorenzo Lingard (4 carries, 82 yards, two rushing touchdowns against Savannah State).
In total, Rosier has accounted for five of Miami’s touchdowns. This matters because he set the team record last season with a total of 31 touchdowns accounted for.
Rosier’s touchdown passes were to newcomer Will Mallory (2-yarder with 3:57 left in the first quarter) and rising star receiver Jeff Thomas (67-yarder with 11:22 left in the second quarter). By the time he exited the game, Miami (1–1; No. 22 in AP Poll) was already up 21-0.
“I really think we needed it,” Rosier said about this game. “The hardest thing to do is when you go from an LSU team and you play somebody like Savannah State is how you get everyone locked in and focused.”
The beauty of this particular game was that all four Miami quarterbacks got to play, with N’Kosi Perry, Cade Weldon, and Jarren Williams getting some meaningful reps in.
Perry was effective, going 9-for-14 passing with 93 yards and three touchdowns (8-yarder to wide receiver Lawrence Cager with 9:08 left in the second quarter; two touchdown passes to Breton Jordan in the third quarter).
Both Weldon and Williams were able to score on a rushing touchdown each later in the second half.
“I was talking to N’Kosi [Perry] and Cade [Weldon] and Jarren [Williams] before, saying, ‘You guys are going to get a lot of playing time, more than you probably get in a scrimmage,’” Rosier said. “So, I think it was really good for those guys. When we scrimmage, we’re not live, they don’t get hit. And I feel like that’s the biggest thing that they got; they got live reps versus a defense.”
Head coach Mark Richt offered his commentary on the quarterback play against Savannah State (0-2).
“I think they all had their moments,” Richt said. “They had some good moments. Probably everybody had a play or two that they wish they could have back. We know [Cade] Weldon had one that could have gotten picked. N’Kosi [Perry] had one that did get picked. Jarren [Williams] pulled the ball in a zone read that he probably shouldn’t have pulled it and he should have handled the ball off.”
Rosier talked about the quarterback competition he has with Perry, Weldon, and Williams.
“It’s been a competition the whole time,” Rosier said. “I told the reporters that even on Tuesday, that N’Kosi [Perry] and Cade [Weldon] were getting reps with the ones. It’s not like, ‘Okay, now that they’re playing, now it’s a competition.’ Because from the jump, it’s always been a competition. I told those guys, ‘Keep pushing me, I’m going to keep pushing you. If you ever need help, you’re always able to ask me.’ So, those guys have pushed me the entire time.”
NOTES: Miami’s 77-0 win over Savannah State was the largest margin of victory in school history. In addition to that, Miami dominated Savannah State, 494-78, in total yardage.
LOCAL STANDOUTS
Defensive end Jonathan Garvin (Lake Worth alum) led the team with eight tackles, three of which were for loss. It was Garvin’s second consecutive game with three tackles for loss.
Defensive back Amari Carter (Palm Beach Gardens alum) had his best collegiate game to date, as he recorded six tackles (2 TFL) and a sack. Linebacker Zach McCloud (Santaluces alum) had six tackles (0.5 TFL), which was tied with Carter for second most on the team.
The top three Week 2 defensive performers were from Palm Beach County. It’s a major accomplishment for our area players at Miami.
Also: Freshman defensive back Gurvan Hall (Palm Beach Gardens) alum played in his first game, as he recorded a tackle.
Running back Travis Homer (Oxbridge Academy alum) recorded 13 carries for 70 yards, including a nice 35-yard run. He was also one of the team captains in this game.
Wide receiver Darrell Langham (Santaluces) was a starter and caught a 38-yard pass in his only action with the ball. He likely stepped in for wide receiver Ahmmon Richards (Wellington alum), who was ruled out for the game due to an injury.
NEXT GAME: Saturday, Sept. 15 at Toledo, 12 p.m. kickoff on ESPN2.
