Miami Hurricanes sideline reporter Josh Darrow noted during the radio broadcast that starting right guard Anez Cooper was running with the first team in pregame warmups. However, starting left tackle Jalen Rivers will be out for Saturday night’s game against South Florida. Head coach Mario Cristobal had hoped earlier in the week that Rivers would be able to play.
Cooper sustained an ankle injury during Miami’s dominant 62-0 victory over Ball State last Saturday. This marks Rivers’ third consecutive game missed against South Florida. The Hurricanes are also missing starters left guard Ryan Rodriguez, defensive lineman Rueben Bain, and cornerback Damari Brown.
Bain, Brown, and Rodriguez have been sidelined since suffering injuries in the season opener, a 41-17 win over Florida. In their absence, Elijah Alston, Tyler Baron, and Akheem Mesidor will split time at edge rusher. True freshman O.J. Frederique has stepped in for Brown, while redshirt sophomore Matthew McCoy will take over at left guard.
Despite missing Cooper, Rodriguez, and Rivers, Miami’s offense has continued to thrive. The Hurricanes rank 15th nationally, allowing just eight sacks in 2024, and sit 32nd with three sacks permitted, averaging 6.0 yards per carry. Even without Rodriguez and Rivers, Miami boasts a significant advantage on the offensive line.
Massive 6’9″, 340-pound Markel Bell will start at left tackle in place of Rivers. Bell was the top-ranked junior college offensive tackle for 2024 and is still adjusting to the Power Conference level. After experiencing some early penalties against Florida A&M in Week 2, Bell has shown improvement in the last two games.
He will be a key player to watch on Saturday, especially regarding how South Florida will try to exploit him. Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson may implement additional protection strategies based on Bell’s performance. South Florida currently ranks ninth nationally, averaging 9.0 tackles for loss and 18th with 3.0 sacks per game.
Since their hiring in 2021, Mario Cristobal and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal have prioritized building depth in the offensive line. This depth has been tested this season due to the injuries to Rivers and Rodriguez, but Bell, Louis Cristobal, and McCoy have stepped up effectively as replacements.
