Mark Richt has narrowed down the battle for the backup quarterback spot to Malik Rosier and Vincent Testaverde. Redshirt freshman Evan Shirreffs and true freshman Jack Allison had also been taking second-team reps throughout fall camp.
Rosier being involved is not a surprise due to his experience having won a road game against Duke last season, but the mention of Testaverde came to a surprise for most. Richt explained the situation.
“Right now what I’m going to do is work more Testaverde and Malik and give them all of the reps with the twos and have them battle it out,” Richt said.
Richt did not close the door completely, however, on the possibility of either Allison or Shirreffs jumping back into the conversation, although Miami has been heavily leaning towards redshirting Allison if possible.
“If somebody struggles in that two unit match, then maybe somebody bumps them. It’s not 100% solid on one of those two, but they’re in the driver’s seat right now.”
The exclusion of Shirreffs is interesting due to the fact that QB coach Jon Richt has called him the “most athletic” of the quarterbacks and multiple players and coaches have noted that he has a complete understanding of the playbook.
Starting QB Brad Kaaya noted to the media that Shirreffs has been dealing with an injury on his throwing hand, which Kaaya said has “hampered” Shirreffs during camp. Although Shirreffs does not have the strongest of arms, the hand issue could be a reason for his lack of consistency.
“Very tight race and I would say Evan’s in that race. There were times where I’d say Jack’s in there,” Richt added. “Nobody was so consistent that it’s a slam dunk. All of these guys – even the top two (Rosier and Shirreffs) have not done everything on a consistent basis.”
“Even today, there was a bad decision here or there that we can’t have. Now that you’re in that position, what are you going to do with it? That’s part of the exercise – when a guy feels like it’s down to two is he going to focus and get better or is he going to spit the bit?”
Richt was asked if Testaverde’s game experience as a freshman at Texas Tech had a role to play in his decision.
“I wouldn’t say I sat down and said it was because of that. There was moments he was out of that top two – or the race for that two spot,” he said.
So what would Shirreffs need to do to get himself back in the discussion?
He just needs to keep taking the reps and knowing what to do and hit his target when it presents itself. The accuracy will go a long way,” Richt said.
Richt on Rosier: “He’s had the tendency to do something heroic. We are looking for consistency on a down-to-down basis.”
Richt also said, "This is about competition. I don't know who the number two is."
For your Miami Hurricanes merchandise needs and exclusive apparel, visit CanesWear.com
Rosier being involved is not a surprise due to his experience having won a road game against Duke last season, but the mention of Testaverde came to a surprise for most. Richt explained the situation.
“Right now what I’m going to do is work more Testaverde and Malik and give them all of the reps with the twos and have them battle it out,” Richt said.
Richt did not close the door completely, however, on the possibility of either Allison or Shirreffs jumping back into the conversation, although Miami has been heavily leaning towards redshirting Allison if possible.
“If somebody struggles in that two unit match, then maybe somebody bumps them. It’s not 100% solid on one of those two, but they’re in the driver’s seat right now.”
The exclusion of Shirreffs is interesting due to the fact that QB coach Jon Richt has called him the “most athletic” of the quarterbacks and multiple players and coaches have noted that he has a complete understanding of the playbook.
Starting QB Brad Kaaya noted to the media that Shirreffs has been dealing with an injury on his throwing hand, which Kaaya said has “hampered” Shirreffs during camp. Although Shirreffs does not have the strongest of arms, the hand issue could be a reason for his lack of consistency.
“Very tight race and I would say Evan’s in that race. There were times where I’d say Jack’s in there,” Richt added. “Nobody was so consistent that it’s a slam dunk. All of these guys – even the top two (Rosier and Shirreffs) have not done everything on a consistent basis.”
“Even today, there was a bad decision here or there that we can’t have. Now that you’re in that position, what are you going to do with it? That’s part of the exercise – when a guy feels like it’s down to two is he going to focus and get better or is he going to spit the bit?”
Richt was asked if Testaverde’s game experience as a freshman at Texas Tech had a role to play in his decision.
“I wouldn’t say I sat down and said it was because of that. There was moments he was out of that top two – or the race for that two spot,” he said.
So what would Shirreffs need to do to get himself back in the discussion?
He just needs to keep taking the reps and knowing what to do and hit his target when it presents itself. The accuracy will go a long way,” Richt said.
Richt on Rosier: “He’s had the tendency to do something heroic. We are looking for consistency on a down-to-down basis.”
Richt also said, "This is about competition. I don't know who the number two is."
For your Miami Hurricanes merchandise needs and exclusive apparel, visit CanesWear.com
