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Heading into this week’s matchup vs. Virginia, a big focus of practice this week according to Miami Hurricanes QB D’Eriq King has been staying out of third and long situations and creating more third and short opportunities for the offense to more easily extend drives.
“Staying out of third and longs is huge for us,” King said. “If you get four yards on first down, you make second down easier. I can’t take sacks, have to get the ball out, let everyone make plays.”
Much has been made about King’s lack of connection with the wide receivers through Miami’s first 5 games, and King says he continues to work hard to get on the same page as his WR’s.
“We have to start connecting on those - the deep ball, we have to start hitting those,” King said. “We have to keep throwing them, trusting the guys and they trust me and we’ll make plays. I think it’ll come pretty soon.”
By opening up all three WR’s spots on the depth chart this week, the Miami staff has put the receivers on notice, and King says UM is giving a variety of receivers longer looks this week in practice.
“I think it's going good. A lot of guys are getting reps, so that’s always good,” King said. “The way I look at it is anybody can lose their job. I’m not safe, nobody’s safe. You try to play well. The wide receivers have done a great job this week. Everyone has to continue to get better. Ultimately, competition will push everybody.”
Miami stays at home this week to take on UVA, and King gave his take on the upcoming matchup vs. the Cavaliers.
“I just have to get the ball out, know where my throws are at, know what I’m trying to do,” King said. “They have a pretty good defense, real long and athletic, can make plays in space. We have to take what they give us.”
While Virginia’s defense has struggled at times and is allowing over 34 ppg and 400 ypg in 2020, the Cavaliers defensive front is known for their length, something that gave King problems last week when throwing the ball vs. Pitt, including on his first interception that was tipped at the line.
“I can’t try to throw through people,” King said. “I just can’t let the ball be tipped.”
With the Canes at 4-1 through their first 5 games, King is upbeat when talking about his outlook for the rest of the season.
“I think the team has a good feel right now,” King said. “We’ve lost one game, but staying together is the most important thing for us. Stay together. There will be mistakes in the game. If we keep coming to the building and having the right attitude, things will be corrected. The season, it’s going pretty good. We have a lot to improve on. Now it’s a new game, new opponent, starting all over again.”
King has given a boost to Miami’s ground game by being the team’s second leading rusher through 5 games (273 yards rushing), and that has helped lead to more explosive plays in the passing game with opposing defenses so focused on stopping the QB run.
“(The threat of the QB run) is very important,” King said. “Any time we play anybody, everybody is worried about me running so much that any time I take a couple of steps, the linebacker and everyone gets sucked up and (the receivers) get behind them, a lot of them are touchdowns. Coach (Rhett) Lashlee has drawn up great plays on offense.”
“Staying out of third and longs is huge for us,” King said. “If you get four yards on first down, you make second down easier. I can’t take sacks, have to get the ball out, let everyone make plays.”
Much has been made about King’s lack of connection with the wide receivers through Miami’s first 5 games, and King says he continues to work hard to get on the same page as his WR’s.
“We have to start connecting on those - the deep ball, we have to start hitting those,” King said. “We have to keep throwing them, trusting the guys and they trust me and we’ll make plays. I think it’ll come pretty soon.”
By opening up all three WR’s spots on the depth chart this week, the Miami staff has put the receivers on notice, and King says UM is giving a variety of receivers longer looks this week in practice.
“I think it's going good. A lot of guys are getting reps, so that’s always good,” King said. “The way I look at it is anybody can lose their job. I’m not safe, nobody’s safe. You try to play well. The wide receivers have done a great job this week. Everyone has to continue to get better. Ultimately, competition will push everybody.”
Miami stays at home this week to take on UVA, and King gave his take on the upcoming matchup vs. the Cavaliers.
“I just have to get the ball out, know where my throws are at, know what I’m trying to do,” King said. “They have a pretty good defense, real long and athletic, can make plays in space. We have to take what they give us.”
While Virginia’s defense has struggled at times and is allowing over 34 ppg and 400 ypg in 2020, the Cavaliers defensive front is known for their length, something that gave King problems last week when throwing the ball vs. Pitt, including on his first interception that was tipped at the line.
“I can’t try to throw through people,” King said. “I just can’t let the ball be tipped.”
With the Canes at 4-1 through their first 5 games, King is upbeat when talking about his outlook for the rest of the season.
“I think the team has a good feel right now,” King said. “We’ve lost one game, but staying together is the most important thing for us. Stay together. There will be mistakes in the game. If we keep coming to the building and having the right attitude, things will be corrected. The season, it’s going pretty good. We have a lot to improve on. Now it’s a new game, new opponent, starting all over again.”
King has given a boost to Miami’s ground game by being the team’s second leading rusher through 5 games (273 yards rushing), and that has helped lead to more explosive plays in the passing game with opposing defenses so focused on stopping the QB run.
“(The threat of the QB run) is very important,” King said. “Any time we play anybody, everybody is worried about me running so much that any time I take a couple of steps, the linebacker and everyone gets sucked up and (the receivers) get behind them, a lot of them are touchdowns. Coach (Rhett) Lashlee has drawn up great plays on offense.”
