GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: LB Shaq Quarterman has the ability to impact a defense and do it early. He had a sack on the first series of the game against Savannah State and a strip sack for a Miami touchdown in the first quarter against North Carolina last week. Florida State has given up 12 sacks in four games. QB Deondre Francois still has managed to complete 62.7 percent of his passes for just over 275 yards a game, but if Quarterman can get to him early, that could set the tone for Miami’s opportunistic defense.
DRAFT SLANT
–S Jaquan Johnson and WR Ahmmon Richards were considered Miami’s top draft prospects coming into the season but injuries have slowed both. Johnson has played in only three games but had a team-leading 22 tackles and a blocked kick when he went out with a knee injury. He is due to return this week against Florida State. Richards has only one reception and hasn’t played since the opener because of a knee issue. He remains out this week.
ROSTER REPORT:
–DE Joe Jackson was named the ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week after returning an interception for a touchdown, forcing two fumbles, and recording a sack among his five tackles in the win over North Carolina.
–LB Shaq Quarterman was named ACC Co-Linebacker of the Week despite injuring an ankle in the win over the Tar Heels. He was credited with five tackles with two sacks and another tackle for loss and broke up a pass. The fumble led to a Miami touchdown when DE Joe Garvin recovered the ball in the end zone, one of three defensive touchdowns for Miami in the game.
–WR Ahmmon Richards will not play Saturday. He has not played since the opener, when he caught one pass for a 9-yard gain in the loss to LSU.
–S Jaquan Johnson sat out the win over North Carolina because of a knee injury but will return Saturday. He has been named a defensive captain for the game. He had 12 tackles and broke up a pass in Miami’s win over the Seminoles last year.
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