Hurricanes coach Mark Richt says UM’s 7-5 regular season was ‘frustrating for everybody’

Michael Reaves / Getty Images

Entering the season, Miami's receivers group had plenty of depth and was widely expected to be one of the more productive units in the ACC. Yes, the group has been impacted by the loss of veteran Ahmmon Richards and the constant back-and-forth at quarterback, but Saturday against Pittsburgh, the receivers were a disappointment. The unit dropped at least six passes and no one had more than two catches for 18 yards. Yes, it was the group's first game without Jeff Thomas, but some of those drops came from veterans like Lawrence Cager and Mike Harley, who should be more consistent at this point in their careers. Getting back to some of the basics during bowl preparations has to be a priority because the Hurricanes — who have struggled enough on offense all season — can't afford another performance like the receivers delivered yesterday.

Michael Reaves / Getty Images

If there's been one constant during the Hurricanes' tumultuous season it's been Miami's stalwart defense. There have been lapses at times, but for the most part, Manny Diaz's group has been beyond impressive, leading the nation in several statistical categories. Saturday, that defense put together another dominating performance and held Pittsburgh at bay as the offense tried to find its footing. The Hurricanes kept the Panthers out of the end zone, held their vaunted rushing attack to a mere 69 yards, limited Pittsburgh to 1 of 15 on third-down conversions, totaled 14 tackles for loss and sacked Kenny Pickett six times. The defense also forced and recovered a fumble which allowed the group to celebrate one more time at home with Miami's fans and the Hurricanes' beloved Turnover Chain. The group was absolutely dominant and that near-shutout was a source of pride not only for Diaz, but his players, too.

AL DIAZ / TNS

Hurricanes running back DeeJay Dallas has been a steady player for the Hurricanes during his relatively young college career. But just as Miami tried to fight its way through its midseason slump, Dallas began struggling, too. The sophomore fumbled twice in the loss to Duke and again in the loss to Georgia Tech a week later. Saturday, though, he was a force, scoring on a 65-yard punt return and later, on a 3-yard touchdown run that capped the Hurricanes' scoring. He finished with 110 all-purpose yards and after the win, shared that some sessions with Miami's new sports psychologist helped him work through some things and helped him find his stride again. "I just had a lot on my mind. I'm good now. Everything is settled so I'm back to myself," he said.

Lynne Sladky / AP

Miami's quarterback woes have been documented all season, both N'Kosi Perry and Malik Rosier struggling at times, forcing Hurricanes coach Mark Richt to alternate between the two and change starters multiple times. But Perry had been playing well of late and the hope after last week's win at Virginia Tech was that he'd started to turn the corner. But Perry was far from perfect against Pittsburgh, completing just 6 of 24 passes for 52 yards. He wasn't helped by his receivers, several of whom dropped passes. If there's one area where it seemed Miami missed Jeff Thomas, it was in the passing game and after the win, Perry vowed to work with his receivers and make sure everyone has a better showing in Miami's to-be-determined bowl game next month.

AL DIAZ / TNS

With Miami's passing game struggling and the offense as a whole having problems moving the ball early, eventually, it was Travis Homer that became the spark the Hurricanes needed. After rushing for 51 yards in the first half, Homer put together some much-needed big runs for the Hurricanes late, including a 64-yard touchdown with 2:49 left in the third quarter. He finished the day with a game-high 168 yards, two shy of his career high, and averaged 21 yards per carry. He proved the difference for the offense on a day when that offense struggled mightily and he delivered a bone-crushing block on a DeeJay Dallas punt return that went for a touchdown, showing, again, that his skill set isn't limited to his play on offense.

Lynne Sladky / AP

While the Hurricanes' issues at quarterback have generated most of the headlines this season, Miami has had a hard time punting the ball consistently all year. The Hurricanes had, for most of the season, been unable to flip the field and often lost the field-position battle. Things were better last week at Virginia Tech and better again Saturday against Pitt. Zach Feagles and Jack Spicer combined to average 40.7 yards on Miami's seven punts, with Feagles averaging 42.8 yards and notching a long of 56 yards. Because of some of the issues with Miami's punting all season, Hurricanes special teams coach Todd Hartley implemented more rugby-style kicking in recent weeks and it seemingly is starting to pay dividends.

Michael Reaves / Getty Images

After securing bowl eligibility with their win last week at Virginia Tech, the Hurricanes wanted to try and improve their bowl stock with a victory over Pittsburgh. Mission accomplished. With a seventh win now secured, Miami has likely played itself into one of the ACC's Tier One bowl games and could potentially find itself playing in either the Sun Bowl in El Paso or the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville.

Michael Reaves / Getty Images

Time-of-possession talk is usually a theme when Miami faces Georgia Tech and its clock-chewing triple option, but last night, Pittsburgh dominated time of possession, holding the ball for more than 35 minutes — and more than 11 minutes in the third quarter alone. Thanks in large part to Miami's defense, though, that was a problem the Hurricanes could overcome. That defense kept Pittsburgh out of the end zone and limited them to a 40-yard field goal. Meanwhile, Travis Homer's big third-quarter touchdown run gave the Hurricanes some breathing room. There's no doubt that defense is likely tired a day after its performance, but it did its job — even when repeatedly tested and after being on the field the majority of the game.

Michael Shroyer / Getty Images

It's been a season of challenges for the Hurricanes, both on and off the field. Most visibly, Miami endured a four-game losing streak. But there have been off-field issues, too and some of those came to a head on Wednesday when the Hurricanes dismissed Jeff Thomas, one of their most dynamic playmakers. Thomas had been Miami's top receiver and punt returner and Miami had basically three days to prepare for a game without him. There were mixed results, with Miami's passing game struggling, but its special teams playing well. The Hurricanes were also without any scholarship tight ends after both Brevin Jordan and Will Mallory were hurt last week at Virginia Tech. And while yes, the offense struggled at times, Miami still got a win, its second in a row.

AL DIAZ / TNS

The Hurricanes' recruiting class took a couple of hits during Miami's four-game losing streak and now, with the Early Signing Period less than a month away, recruiting will become Mark Richt and his staff's biggest priority. The Hurricanes currently have verbal commitments from 16 players and their class ranks No. 24 in the nation. You have to figure Richt and his staff will want that number to improve. Miami will want to lock down the members of its 2019 class — some of whom might be wavering after the team's struggles of late — and continue work on its 2020 class.