Miami WR KJ Osborn caught the game-winning pass late in the 4th quarter against Pitt last week, breaking a tackle and plunging into the endzone that gave UM the 16-12. However, it was another play in the same game that was on Osborn’s mind the most afterwards: A drop.
“I was really upset,” Osborn said. “The guy - I ran the route and felt he held me a little bit so I saw (the ball) really late, didn’t get a chance to get it. The defender almost made a fantastic play on it, I was glad he dropped it. I was able to come back and redeem myself.”
This week, Osborn spent extra time on the jugs machine to make up for that drop, adding he’s been the last person on the field every day.
“I catch a lot,” Osborn said. “You do it so much, it’s second nature. Get back to the basics.”
The Canes as a team have put the Pitt game in the past and are more than focused on their next opponent: rival Florida State. It’s Osborn’s first experience with the rivalry and he hopes to leave his mark during the 2019 edition of the game.
“I’m really excited. They play the ‘War Chant’ during practice, that really gets me going,” Osborn said. “It’s a big-time rivalry game. I’m from up north, am used to Michigan-Michigan State, Michigan-Ohio State. This is different, I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Yesterday, Manny Diaz announced that Jarren Williams was back as the starting QB and Osborn gave his thoughts on the move.
“He does what he always does, came in and practiced hard, accurate, listening to coach (Dan) Enos,” Osborn said of Williams. “He’s really confident, very accurate, can extend plays and make plays. Very smart, the communication is awesome on the sidelines.”
Although this is only his first season on the team as a grad transfer, Osborn has immediately become a team leader and someone the younger players look to as an example. Does he see someone ready to take over that mantle in the WR room next year when he’s gone?
“I mean, if I had to name someone I’d say Mike Harley,” Osborn said. “Mike is one of the guys that really pushes me directly… Makes sure I hold up my end of the bargain.”
**OL Jakai Clark spoke about the offensive line’s improvement in the Pitt game, saying he feels the line is beginning to gel more with experience; he started just the 7th game of his career vs. the Panthers.
The line allowed just two sacks to Pitt, who came into the game leading the country in the category. The two sacks given up was UM’s lowest tally of the season against FBS competition.
“Obviously with experience - we have young offensive line. The more experience, the better we’ll get,” Clark said. “We just went in focused, practiced all week, got some great looks from our scout team guys… We’ve faced a lot of adversity this year – the win builds confidence.”
With the heated Miami-FSU rivalry on tap for Saturday, Clark says the team is taking the magnitude of the game seriously.
“We know that’s a big game,” Clark said. “We have to come in focused as in any game, just dominate… It’s going to be loud, a hyped game. Both teams are going to be hyped up, ready to go. It’s going to come down to who wants it more.”
What has he improved on the most in the last year?
“Mental focus,” Clark said. “Mentally as far as my assignment, communication, I feel I’ve gotten better at that."
“I was really upset,” Osborn said. “The guy - I ran the route and felt he held me a little bit so I saw (the ball) really late, didn’t get a chance to get it. The defender almost made a fantastic play on it, I was glad he dropped it. I was able to come back and redeem myself.”
This week, Osborn spent extra time on the jugs machine to make up for that drop, adding he’s been the last person on the field every day.
“I catch a lot,” Osborn said. “You do it so much, it’s second nature. Get back to the basics.”
The Canes as a team have put the Pitt game in the past and are more than focused on their next opponent: rival Florida State. It’s Osborn’s first experience with the rivalry and he hopes to leave his mark during the 2019 edition of the game.
“I’m really excited. They play the ‘War Chant’ during practice, that really gets me going,” Osborn said. “It’s a big-time rivalry game. I’m from up north, am used to Michigan-Michigan State, Michigan-Ohio State. This is different, I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Yesterday, Manny Diaz announced that Jarren Williams was back as the starting QB and Osborn gave his thoughts on the move.
“He does what he always does, came in and practiced hard, accurate, listening to coach (Dan) Enos,” Osborn said of Williams. “He’s really confident, very accurate, can extend plays and make plays. Very smart, the communication is awesome on the sidelines.”
Although this is only his first season on the team as a grad transfer, Osborn has immediately become a team leader and someone the younger players look to as an example. Does he see someone ready to take over that mantle in the WR room next year when he’s gone?
“I mean, if I had to name someone I’d say Mike Harley,” Osborn said. “Mike is one of the guys that really pushes me directly… Makes sure I hold up my end of the bargain.”
**OL Jakai Clark spoke about the offensive line’s improvement in the Pitt game, saying he feels the line is beginning to gel more with experience; he started just the 7th game of his career vs. the Panthers.
The line allowed just two sacks to Pitt, who came into the game leading the country in the category. The two sacks given up was UM’s lowest tally of the season against FBS competition.
“Obviously with experience - we have young offensive line. The more experience, the better we’ll get,” Clark said. “We just went in focused, practiced all week, got some great looks from our scout team guys… We’ve faced a lot of adversity this year – the win builds confidence.”
With the heated Miami-FSU rivalry on tap for Saturday, Clark says the team is taking the magnitude of the game seriously.
“We know that’s a big game,” Clark said. “We have to come in focused as in any game, just dominate… It’s going to be loud, a hyped game. Both teams are going to be hyped up, ready to go. It’s going to come down to who wants it more.”
What has he improved on the most in the last year?
“Mental focus,” Clark said. “Mentally as far as my assignment, communication, I feel I’ve gotten better at that."
