Miami coach Manny Diaz doesn’t reveal starting QB for Independence Bowl
The topsy-turvy quarterbacks saga at the University of Miami has still not settled in on a starting signal caller to face Louisiana Tech for the final game of 2019.
Or at least that’s what Hurricanes coach Manny Diaz said Tuesday during a news conference in Shreveport, Louisiana, site of Thursday’s 4 p.m. Walk-On’s Independence Bowl.
Diaz said he wanted to see how practice went later Tuesday, and that he would select a quarterback based on how they performed in their final bowl practice.
“We’re still going to look at one more practice,’’ Diaz told reporters. “You know, we’ve got one more day here to get on the grass and see who gives us the best chance to win.’’
Redshirt freshman Jarren Williams, who has started nine games this season, is vying with redshirt sophomore backup N’Kosi Perry and redshirt sophomore transfer Tate Martell for the starting nod.
Martell, who transferred to Miami last January from Ohio State and has taken a leave of absence the past two games, has yet to throw a pass for the Canes. Martell also didn’t travel to the Pittsburgh game Oct. 26.
“Obviously our plan wouldn’t be to play three guys, but we are evaluating three guys,’’ Diaz told Shreveport Times reporter Roy Lang III after the news conference.
Williams, who originally won the starting job in fall camp, started the first five and past four games. He broke a school record with six passing touchdowns Nov. 9 in a dominating 52-27 performance against Louisville, but then had two poor performances in losses the past two games against FIU and Duke.
Williams’ numbers this season: 160 of 256 (62.5 percent) for 2,093 yards and 19 touchdowns, with six interceptions that came in losses against Virginia Tech and FIU.
Perry’s numbers: 80 of 146 (54.8) for 993 yards and eight touchdowns, with two interceptions.
Williams hurt his throwing shoulder early in the season and was removed from the Oct. 5 Va Tech game in the first quarter after throwing three interceptions in seven passes. He didn’t play the next week, when Perry led Miami against Virginia.
Williams then threw three passes as the backup to Perry Oct. 19 in a loss against Georgia Tech, and came in as Perry’s backup during the fourth quarter to lead the final, game-winning drive at Pittsburgh. He has started ever since that comeback drive.
The Hurricanes of the Atlantic Coast Conference are 6-6 going into the bowl. The La Tech Bulldogs of Conference USA are 9-3.
