Hurricanes tumble in AP, Coaches polls; QB N’Kosi Perry back after suspension

Tom Pennington / Getty Images

There is no getting around the fact that Sunday night was an ugly wake-up call for the Hurricanes. But as Richt and several of his players noted, this was not a conference game. Miami can still bounce back, make a run for the ACC Coastal Division title and could, come December, still find itself in Charlotte in the ACC Championship Game. All of that, of course, is contingent on the Hurricanes working through some of the issues they dealt with Sunday. There''s no doubt they need to be better. They''ll have their next chance Saturday (6 p.m.) at home against Savannah State, which lost its opener 52-0 to the University of Alabama-Birmingham.

Wilfredo Lee / AP

After losing veteran tackles RJ McIntosh and Kendrick Norton to the NFL draft, the Hurricanes knew they''d need redshirt senior Gerald Willis to be a contributor after his year-long leave of absence. On Sunday, Willis was one of Miami''s most effective defenders. He had eight tackles, including four tackles for loss and a sack. He also notched a pass break-up and a QB hurry.

Tom Pennington / Getty Images

Any quarterback will struggle if he doesn''t get protection, and UM''s offensive line struggled on that front against a solid LSU defensive line. Rosier, who was pursued all night, was sacked four times. The Hurricanes also totaled just 83 rushing yards, though coach Mark Richt said post-game he felt Miami "ran the ball well." It wasn''t just protecting Rosier where the line sometimes struggled. Linemen committed several false-start penalties, including Navaughn Donaldson, who was whistled for that infraction twice.

Ron Jenkins / AP

As tough as Sunday night was for the Hurricanes, receiver Jeff Thomas was a bright spot. The sophomore made a couple of spectacular catches and finished the day with a game-high 132 yards on five receptions. The Hurricanes came into the season knowing they had talent at receiver. Thomas on Sunday showed off his blazing speed, his athleticism and his impressive hands. He also had two kick returns for 50 yards.

Ron Jenkins / AP

Last season, the Hurricanes averaged 50 penalty yards per game. In 2016, that number was 67 yards per game. Sunday against LSU, Miami committed 11 penalties for 85 yards. "Shot ourselves in the foot early on," Richt said. Miami coaches have often said in the past some penalties can be somewhat acceptable and can just be part of the game. But it''s the head-scratchers — like a late hit from veteran defensive end Demetrius Jackson — that are especially maddening and can be quite costly.

Ron Jenkins / AP

Last season, Miami was 47 of 163 on third-down conversions. That''s a measly 29 percent. The Hurricanes started 0-of-7 on that front Sunday before finishing the game 6-of-16 on that critical down. They were 1-of-3 on fourth-down conversions. Again, if Miami is to succeed this year, those numbers have to be better. (On the bright side, Miami''s defense did hold LSU to just 3-of-16 on third-down conversions).

Al Diaz / TNS

Veteran kicker Michael Badgley graduated, leaving freshman Bubba Baxa trying to fill his role. Baxa struggled at times during camp and on Sunday, he was 1-of-2 on field goals, connecting from 38 yards, but missing from 45. Punter Zach Feagles didn''t fare much better, shanking his first three punts before finishing the day with an average of 36.4 yards on his five punts.

Lynne Sladky / AP

The Hurricanes returned 14 starters from last year''s 10-win team, but on Sunday night, Miami''s coaches still sent 10 of their freshmen onto the field, including Baxa and tight end Brevin Jordan (pictured), who got the start. Receiver Brian Hightower had a 32-yard touchdown grab in the fourth quarter and cornerback Al Blades notched a couple of tackles. Richt has said he plans to take advantage of the NCAA''s new redshirt rules that allow freshmen to get on the field. But will quarterback Jarren Williams be one of them and if he is, when will that happen?

Tom Pennington / Getty Images

Entering camp, Hurricanes players and coaches said they''d seen a different Malik Rosier, one who was playing with a chip on his shoulder and looking to silence his critics, many of whom bemoaned his streaky, inconsistent play that had him complete only 54 percent of his passes in 2017. Sunday against LSU, Rosier showed both his ability to make plays — and be maddeningly inaccurate. He was 15-of-35 for 259 yards with two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He missed several open receivers. If the Hurricanes are to succeed this season, they''ll need better play from their redshirt senior quarterback.

Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

Several of the Hurricanes have conceded Miami took a sub-.500 Pittsburgh team too lightly in last year''s regular-season finale. At the time, the Hurricanes were ranked No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings and were in the national championship conversation. Fast forward 10 months and the Hurricanes entered their season opener a favorite over LSU and a preseason top-10 team. Did they once again believe too much of the hype surrounding them?

Tom Pennington / Getty Images

As ugly as the first three quarters were for the Hurricanes — who fell behind 33-3 with 3:51 left int he third quarter — Miami''s players did show some fight late. The Hurricanes scored two unanswered touchdowns in the fourth quarter and pulled within two scores with 8:43 left. That, Rosier and fellow veteran Jaquan Johnson pointed out, was key. "No matter how bad it looks, we''re going to keep playing and fighting," Rosier said.