The University of Miami announced a home-and-home deal with Cincinnati that will bring the Bearcats to Sun Life Stadium in 2014. The Hurricanes will play at Cincinnati in 2015.
The Bearcats, who are 8-2 this season and tied for second place in the American Athletic Conference, represent a solid upgrade in UM’s strength of schedule.
This season, Miami’s strongest non-conference opponent was then-No. 12 Florida; the Hurricanes beat the Gators 21-16. The Canes won their three other non-conference games — against Florida Atlantic, South Florida and Savannah State of the FCS — by a combined 160-34 score.
Next year, Miami’s non-conference slate includes a game at Nebraska (Sept. 20) and home games against Florida A&M (Sept. 6), Arkansas State and Cincinnati. Dates for the latter two games haven’t been announced.
Miami has long histories with Nebraska and Florida A&M. The Canes last played those teams in 2001 and 2010, respectively. UM’s only game with Arkansas State, which is 6-4 overall and second in the Sun Belt this season, was in 1997.
For 2014, Miami’s ACC home opponents are Duke, Florida State, North Carolina and Pitt. The Hurricanes are on the road for Georgia Tech, Virginia, Virginia Tech and new conference member Louisville.
In 2015, Nebraska visits Miami on Sept. 19. In 2016, Miami will visit Notre Dame as part of the Fighting Irish’s football partnership with the ACC. Notre Dame will visit Miami in 2017.
Injury ward: Several Canes are in various states of repair heading into the final two games of the regular season.
Freshman cornerback Artie Burns, who suffered an ankle injury in Saturday’s 48-30 loss at Duke, was in a red (non-contact) jersey for Tuesday’s practice. Same goes for freshman linebacker Alex Figueroa (shoulder), who was wearing a sling. While Burns was listed on Miami’s most recent depth chart, Figueroa was not, casting doubt on his availability for Saturday’s game against Virginia (noon, ESPNU).
Junior wide receiver Phillip Dorsett (partially torn MCL) is expected to return Saturday after a four-game absence. Freshman cornerback Corn Elder, who suffered a shoulder injury against Duke, says he expects to play.
Coach Al Golden said freshman receiver Stacy Coley, who took a hit to the head against Duke, has already been integrated into practice and will play. He said redshirt freshman offensive lineman Danny Isidora, who hasn’t played this season after breaking his foot early in August training camp, is “moving forward” toward a return.
Food drive planned: UM will have a food drive at Saturday's game. Collection bins will be located outside Sun Life Stadium at the spiraling walkways (Gates B, D, F, and H) and at gates C and G. All food donated will go directly to local nonprofit Feeding South Florida.
