The University of Miami has yet to field the same starting lineup on defense through its first five games.
That trend won’t end Saturday when the Hurricanes play No. 9 Notre Dame at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
According to an injury report released by UM on Thursday, starting defensive tackle Olsen Pierre won’t play against the Irish because of an “upper extremity” injury sustained in last week’s 44-37 victory over North Carolina State.
Pierre started each of UM’s first five games. He is expected to be replaced in the starting lineup by Corey King, a redshirt freshman from West Boca Raton.
UM also announced that safety Rayshawn Jenkins will miss Saturday’s game because of an undisclosed injury.
Ben Jones, who made his second career start last week, was ruled out of the Notre Dame game early this week by coach Al Golden because of a knee injury sustained during the first half of the North Carolina State game.
Weather not a concern: Temperatures Saturday night in Chicago are expected to be in the 30s and 40s, but Golden doesn't think it will be a problem for the warm-weather Hurricanes. "I hope we're to the point we're not all huddled around the heater," Golden said. "I hope we're tough enough to go and play. We're going to be outside for 3 1/2, four hours against a top 10 team. If we have a team thinking about heaters during that time or looking to get sweatshirts, I'm not doing something right."
