GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Miami’s offensive line has struggled with consistency and igniting Miami’s run game and now faces an FIU defense that could cause some problems. The key may be keeping FIU junior LB Sage Lewis under control. Moved to the middle after starting 20 games at an outside spot last year, Lewis has become a tackling machine with 36 stops in just three games. He has broken up four passes as well.
DRAFT SLANT
–DE Joe Jackson has been a consistent performer for Miami’s defense. He led all of Miami’s defensive linemen in tackles with 59 a year ago with 6.5 of them sacks. He has a couple tackles for loss among his seven stops this season with an assist on a sack and also has broken up a pass.
ROSTER REPORT:
–TE Brian Polendey will miss the rest of the season after requiring surgery for his injured knee. He had one reception for 14 yards in his two appearances. It hits a position already depleted by the loss of TE Michael Irvin Jr. in the preseason, but coach Mark Richt said he has no plans to move anybody from another position.
–SS Jaquan Johnson is day-to-day with a hamstring injury sustained in the second quarter of the win over Toledo. His absence certainly was felt as the Rockets rallied to within 21-14 and 28-21 after falling behind 21-0.
–WR Ahmmon Richards did not play at Toledo and has appeared in only one game because of a knee issue. Expected to be Miami’s receiving leader, he has only one reception for a nine-yard game, that against LSU in the opener.
–S Amari Carter did not make the trip to Toledo because of personal reasons but will serve as a captain representing special teams this week when FIU visits.
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