Miami Coach Richt Says Irma Turmoil 'Draining'

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Palm Beach Post (Florida)

 

Miami coach Mark Richt said the last 10 days have been draining in the wake of Hurricane Irma and the team's temporary move to Disney's Wide World of Sports complex.

Speaking Monday morning on WQAM, Richt said, "It's been draining, there's no doubt. A lot of decisions have to be made. Some tough decisions, some tougher than others. We gave them plenty of time to make plans before the storm, through the storm, after the storm."

Richt confirmed that linebacker Zach McCloud was the only player unaccounted for during the storm.

McCloud told The Post on Sunday how Travis Homer's mother checked on him at his home after he couldn't reach the team. McCloud's home didn't have power, and apparently no cell or internet service.

On the team's injury front, Richt said, "(Receiver) Ahmmon (Richards) is working with the team. He has got some reps, but not competitive reps. He's run some routes. He's caught some balls. He's done some drills. Everything has been controlled. ... We're not sure on him. ... I'd say he's questionable. A lot of (other) guys have been able to get healthy."

As Miami prepares for Saturday's game against Toledo (3-0), Richt repeated concers about lost conditioning.

As for the Arkansas State cancellation and comments by Rick Neuheisel and others that Miami may be ducking a mid-major opponent, Richt didn't fire back. "I would hope anybody who made comments like that would at least see after the fact how important it is" to keep players safe, he said.

When UM made an early decision to cancel the game, "we didn't even know how bad the storm would be. It could have been worse," Richt said.

On Sunday, Richt had said, "It's very dangerous to play the game of football if your mind isn't on your business."

Other highlights from Richt's Monday radio chat:

*On Toledo's offense, which is one of the nation's highest-scoring: "We've got to get the ball in the end zone and not field-goal attempts." Rockets quarterback Logan Woodside is "unbelievable."

*Richt said he watched the Tulsa-Toledo game and some of Louisville-Clemson and "Okie State-Pitt — didn't watch too much of that." Richt added that he thinks Oklahoma State receiver James Washington is the "most dominant at his position" in the country.

FSU, Miami in top four of ACC power rankings: Miami begins Week 4 at No. 4 in ESPN.com's ACC power rankings while Florida State ranks No. 2.

The Hurricanes and Seminoles have been off the last two weeks due to the devastation of Hurricane Irma. Miami faces Toledo of the Mid-American Conference on Saturday while FSU plays North Carolina State.

Clemson (No. 1), Virginia Tech (No. 3) and Louisville (No. 5) round out the top five in ESPN.com's power rankings.

[email protected] Twitter: @mattyports Post Staff Writer Alex Makrides contributed to this report.

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September 19, 2017
 
 
 

 

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