After a little over 2 seasons and 27 games played, junior WR Mike Harley caught his first career TD pass this past weekend vs. Bethune-Cookman.
“It was a blessing, I was ready for it since my freshman year,” Harley said of the TD catch. “It was my time at the moment. But I was prepared for it – I’m learning to finish every time I catch the ball. It was God’s timing. I could have waited till my senior year for it, though, I just want to win.”
With 9 catches for 140 yards so far in 2019, Harley is UM’s third leading receiver behind KJ Osborn and Brevin Jordan.
“I have to take the next step, I have no time to waste,” Harley said. “I’m maturing, have my confidence, am trying to be a leader on and off the field.”
What has he improved most since 2018?
“Route running, catching balls, just more comfortable,” Harley said.
After keeping the WR rotation short in week 1 vs. UF, the Canes have slowly worked in the backups more over the past 2 weeks. Last week against BCU was a breakout of sorts for sophomore WR Mark Pope, and Harley was on the sideline cheering on the young receiver.
“I pulled Mark Pope to the side - `Pope, it’s your time to take over, you have 90 yards, you can get 150.’ But his day was cut short,” Harley said.
Catching the ball from Jarren Williams has been a bit of a different experience for Harley compared to working with Malik Roiser or N’Kosi Perry.
“Jarren does a great job spreading the ball so everyone leaves the field happy,” Harley said. “(His throws have) a spin, you have to have your eyes open because it comes fast… It’s like a bullet.”
On Tate Martell working at WR now: “He’s an athlete,” Harley said. “He’s fast, quick, has got hands. He’s basically watching me and most of the other guys, asking questions - on the other hand, he’s helping us because he was a quarterback, knows coverages.”
**In the Hurricanes 63-0 victory over Bethune-Cookman, senior LB Shaq Quarterman felt it was big that the team got to see how deep their bench was, giving younger players more exposure to the college football game.
“It was a great day for the younger guys as well as the older guys,” Quarterman said. “But seeing the young guys get in and compete, we saw some really shine. I think I have a lot more confidence in the team that we have it here, have it all here.”
Quarterman’s backup, freshman LB Sam Brooks, saw his first real action against BCU, and made an impact with 5 tackles and 1 sack off the bench.
“Sam is working pretty hard. He has the older guys to give him hindsight and make sure he has everything down pat,” Quarterman said. “Him battling back from whatever injuries he had before he got here, that takes a toll on you, and not everybody comes from a high school where you’re schematically sound. Being able to learn our playbook, he’s definitely come to terms with it. He has the athleticism. He’s ready, we just have to get him to focus on the small things. Sam Brooks will be a threat.”
Miami has been one of the best defenses in the country when it comes to run stopping, coming in at 69.3 rushing ypg for their opponents, good for 8th in the nation. Still, Quarterman sees aspects where UM could improve in that area.
“We have to do a little bit better,” Quarterman said. “We want to be No. 1 in the country when it comes to run defense. It’s all about getting vertical. If the D-Line attacks, that allows the linebackers to attack. We have to have a great secondary that knows how to tackle. We didn’t start so hot with that the first game but we’re emphasizing that.
“When you have a great tackling team that really helps when you want to be the best defense in the nation. Third down is a big down for us - third down we bring our personnel on the field, we only have one goal, we have to get off the field.”
UM has been known for being a turnover machine since Manny Diaz took over the defense three years ago, but Miami has only been middle of the pack at bringing out the Turnover Chain this season, and only has one turnover in the past two games.
“We just have to keep at it,” Quarterman said. “When you look for them, they don’t come. When you do your job, they do.”
After getting the first win of his career on Saturday, head coach Manny Diaz was presented the game ball by the team in the locker room, led by DL coach Todd Stroud.
“Giving coach the game ball after his first win as head coach, that was powerful for us,” Quarterman said. “He does so much, cares about this program like no other. That moment for him was very special, but for all of us it was special being able to give that to him.”
“It was a blessing, I was ready for it since my freshman year,” Harley said of the TD catch. “It was my time at the moment. But I was prepared for it – I’m learning to finish every time I catch the ball. It was God’s timing. I could have waited till my senior year for it, though, I just want to win.”
With 9 catches for 140 yards so far in 2019, Harley is UM’s third leading receiver behind KJ Osborn and Brevin Jordan.
“I have to take the next step, I have no time to waste,” Harley said. “I’m maturing, have my confidence, am trying to be a leader on and off the field.”
What has he improved most since 2018?
“Route running, catching balls, just more comfortable,” Harley said.
After keeping the WR rotation short in week 1 vs. UF, the Canes have slowly worked in the backups more over the past 2 weeks. Last week against BCU was a breakout of sorts for sophomore WR Mark Pope, and Harley was on the sideline cheering on the young receiver.
“I pulled Mark Pope to the side - `Pope, it’s your time to take over, you have 90 yards, you can get 150.’ But his day was cut short,” Harley said.
Catching the ball from Jarren Williams has been a bit of a different experience for Harley compared to working with Malik Roiser or N’Kosi Perry.
“Jarren does a great job spreading the ball so everyone leaves the field happy,” Harley said. “(His throws have) a spin, you have to have your eyes open because it comes fast… It’s like a bullet.”
On Tate Martell working at WR now: “He’s an athlete,” Harley said. “He’s fast, quick, has got hands. He’s basically watching me and most of the other guys, asking questions - on the other hand, he’s helping us because he was a quarterback, knows coverages.”
**In the Hurricanes 63-0 victory over Bethune-Cookman, senior LB Shaq Quarterman felt it was big that the team got to see how deep their bench was, giving younger players more exposure to the college football game.
“It was a great day for the younger guys as well as the older guys,” Quarterman said. “But seeing the young guys get in and compete, we saw some really shine. I think I have a lot more confidence in the team that we have it here, have it all here.”
Quarterman’s backup, freshman LB Sam Brooks, saw his first real action against BCU, and made an impact with 5 tackles and 1 sack off the bench.
“Sam is working pretty hard. He has the older guys to give him hindsight and make sure he has everything down pat,” Quarterman said. “Him battling back from whatever injuries he had before he got here, that takes a toll on you, and not everybody comes from a high school where you’re schematically sound. Being able to learn our playbook, he’s definitely come to terms with it. He has the athleticism. He’s ready, we just have to get him to focus on the small things. Sam Brooks will be a threat.”
Miami has been one of the best defenses in the country when it comes to run stopping, coming in at 69.3 rushing ypg for their opponents, good for 8th in the nation. Still, Quarterman sees aspects where UM could improve in that area.
“We have to do a little bit better,” Quarterman said. “We want to be No. 1 in the country when it comes to run defense. It’s all about getting vertical. If the D-Line attacks, that allows the linebackers to attack. We have to have a great secondary that knows how to tackle. We didn’t start so hot with that the first game but we’re emphasizing that.
“When you have a great tackling team that really helps when you want to be the best defense in the nation. Third down is a big down for us - third down we bring our personnel on the field, we only have one goal, we have to get off the field.”
UM has been known for being a turnover machine since Manny Diaz took over the defense three years ago, but Miami has only been middle of the pack at bringing out the Turnover Chain this season, and only has one turnover in the past two games.
“We just have to keep at it,” Quarterman said. “When you look for them, they don’t come. When you do your job, they do.”
After getting the first win of his career on Saturday, head coach Manny Diaz was presented the game ball by the team in the locker room, led by DL coach Todd Stroud.
“Giving coach the game ball after his first win as head coach, that was powerful for us,” Quarterman said. “He does so much, cares about this program like no other. That moment for him was very special, but for all of us it was special being able to give that to him.”
