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How two veteran Hurricanes linebackers sniffed out Clemson’s trick play
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- How two veteran Hurricanes linebackers sniffed out Clemson’s trick play
CORAL GABLES — Early in the third quarter against Clemson on Saturday , the Tigers had a chance to fight their way back into the game.
It was fourth-and-2 at the Miami 18-yard line. If Clemson could score a touchdown, it would take a serious bite out of UM's 17-6 lead.
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Tigers quarterback Tait Reynolds walked away from where he would normally receive the snap, looking to the sideline like he was asking for instructions. Hurricanes linebackers Chase Smith and Mo Toure were not fooled. They pointed directly at running back Gideon Davidson, who was still lined up.
The direct snap went to Davidson, but Smith plugged the hole immediately. The veteran linebacker pulled Davidson to the ground short of the first-down line. The No. 4 Hurricanes went on to score on the next drive, keeping the Tigers at bay before pulling away for a blowout win .
"You've seen coach (Corey) Heatherman in practice and how hard he goes … the buy-in to the way that we practice and how hard we go and how hard coach Heatherman is on them," Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. "That pays off in being able to get a tell on that fourth-down play to understand, recognize a formation, trigger and make a play against a really good player."
Injured Hurricanes' status still up in the air
Miami lost standout defensive end Marquise Lightfoot to an undisclosed injury during their win against Clemson. Lightfoot left the game in the first half and did not return.
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When asked about Lightfoot after the game on Saturday, Cristobal said he didn't expect an update on Lightfoot's status going forward until Tuesday or Wednesday. He reiterated that Monday morning on WQAM's "The Joe Rose Show."
"They're going to be evaluated throughout the course of the week," Cristobal said, referring to Lightfoot and offensive linemen Max Buchanan and Matt McCoy, who were banged up in the win.
Both Buchanan and McCoy returned to the field during the game.
"Matt McCoy showed a display of toughness that I have never seen," Cristobal said. "To go (through) what he went through and to come back in there. Him and Max Buchanan — off the charts."
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Cristobal also said he expects injured cornerback Xavier Lucas to return soon. Lucas, who has been out since the season opener, was questionable on the first two availability reports ahead of the Clemson game before being ruled out on Friday.
"We felt good about Xavier Lucas being there," Cristobal said. "We feel even better about (him)."
