After Tuesday’s practice, head coach Mark Richt responded to criticism of his play-calling, saying that the offense simply needs to execute the calls better.
“I respond to it in that there’s nothing wrong with the plays being called,” Richt said. “What’s wrong is we haven’t executed well enough. If anyone saw what we’re doing, how we’re doing it, if the know football they know we have to do a better job of executing what we call… The plays have a chance for success if everyone does what they need to do.”
Richt said injury issues have led to Miami playing some younger guys before they might be ready, which is particularly true at WR with Ahmmon Richards medically retiring.
“We’ve had some injury issues that caused us to play certain guys, younger guys have more trouble being consistent than a veteran,” Richt said. “And I’m not blaming the freshmen by any means. But if you make a change, then all of a sudden this guy goes through his issues. The thing to do is everybody to stick together, keep working hard, perfect what they do and take care of their job and we’ll be fine. That’s the answer in my opinion.”
During practice, the team has been making corrections to certain plays that don’t work well on Greentree.
“The key is we’ll make corrections as we go, don’t say `too bad’ and forget about it,” Richt said. “The bottom line is we’re making the corrections every single day, every practice. … If there’s a play we don’t like we’ll certainly throw it out.”
So, are some play working in practice and then not in games?
“You can only rep so many plays against so many looks,” Richt said. “Every once in a while there might be a defense that wasn’t exactly what we had practiced against the scout team and the scout team can’t simulate perfectly the team you’re about to play.”
Does Richt see more mistakes now than earlier in the season?
“No,” Richt said simply.
Despite two straight losses, Richt believes the team has not fractured and is still working together towards a common goal.
"We’re together and unified, the staff is,” Richt said. “Everyone else seems to be in a tizzy. We're pretty solid in believing what we do. Guys are pushing toward the next game and the next victory."
Miami will return to Hardrock Stadium for the first time in a month when they take on Duke this Saturday for a night game.
“It’s going to be good to be home,” Richt said. “It’s going to be good to go play another team. Both teams are hungry for a victory now, both teams are 5-3, need a win. Looking forward to the battle, our Cane Walk and our fan base backing us up and giving us that home field advantage that is so crucial in these games.”
Of note, Richt said TE Will Mallory was not at practice today, as he was out with an eye infection.
