Miami Football: 5 takeaways from Hurricanes’ 2017 regular season

3. Malik Rosier saved the Hurricanes

Malik Rosier might have contributed to poor performances against the Pitt Panthers and Clemson Tigers that resulted in the Hurricanes finishing 10-2 instead of 12-0, but they were never expected to be 10-2 in the first place. Miami fans and pundits were expecting losses to the Florida State Seminoles, the Virginia Tech Hokies and even the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Rosier might not have had a Lamar Jackson-type of season but he threw for 2,900 yards, adding 25 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He added another five rushing touchdowns and kept the season alive multiple times using his legs — something Brad Kaaya never offered Miami.

With Kaaya leaving for the NFL, Rosier was the only player on the roster with starting experience in college football. Mark Richt told Rosier he would never play quarterback for him but Rosier now has the Hurricanes in the Orange Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers.

While Rosier did miss on many wide open throws, he made gutsy fourth quarter comebacks that the past few Miami quarterbacks couldn’t have dreamed of. Miami fans hadn’t seen this type of comeback quarterback play since Brock Berlin in 2003-04.

If Malik Rosier transfers or quits football, Miami is left to Cade Weldon and N’Kosi Perry and that would’ve been a total disaster — just ask Jimbo Fisher about starting a true freshman.