Malik Rosier getting mulligan after performance vs. LSU
Malik Rosier struggled against LSU, but he’ll remain Miami’s starting quarterback with a good chance to rebound this week.
Coming off a 10-win season, which ended on a three-game losing streak, the Miami Hurricanes were a bit overrated as the No. 8 team in the country to start the new season. Then they were humbled by LSU with a 33-17 loss last Sunday night, as quarterback Malik Rosier completed less than half his passes (15-for-35) with two interceptions and four sacks taken.
LSU’s defense is one of the best in the country, so struggling against them should not necessarily serve as a referendum on Rosier. During his Tuesday press conference Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt agreed, with confirmation Rosie will start on Saturday against Savannah State.
Going back to the end of last year, Rosier has completed just over 44 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and seven interceptions over the last four games. Richt acknowledged the backup quarterbacks are improving, and perhaps closing the gap on Rosier.
Richt confirms Malik Rosier will start at quarterback Saturday. Says all QBs are getting better. "The guys that deserve to play will play."
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) September 4, 2018
Richt said Malik Rosier is going to be the starting QB. Richt said all the backups are getting better. Asked if the gap is closing he kind of sidesteps the question, but goes on to say how guys have to be ready to really help.
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) September 4, 2018
Rosier openly acknowledged how he needs to improve, and do it quickly.
#Canes QB Malik Rosier: "Obviously if I keep messing up then by all means Coach Richt has the right to bench me and let somebody else play. It’s one bad game and we still got 13, 14 more and I don’t plan on every letting that happening again."
— Manny Navarro (@Manny_Navarro) September 4, 2018
Rosier beat out redshirt freshmen N’Kosi Perry and Cade Weldon and true freshman Julian Williams for the starting job, as a nod to his experience perhaps more than anything. Perry was suspended for the game against LSU for an undisclosed violation, otherwise it’s likely he would have replaced Rosier before Miami scored 14 unanswered and meaningless fourth quarter points.
Rosier will get a soft landing against an FCS opponent this week, and some snaps should go to one of more of his backups in an easy win. The following week brings a road trip to defending MAC champion Toledo, who Rosier torched for 333 passing yards and four total touchdowns (three passing) last year.
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Favorable-looking matchups are coming after that against FIU and North Carolina to round out September, so Rosier has a chance to turn things around quickly after a forgettable season opener. But if he doesn’t, he is pretty clearly on notice and Richt will surely make a quarterback change.