A few UM football tidbits from Tuesday:
### One should get one of two injured receivers back this week against Nebraska.
The recovery time for Braxton Berrios’ type of knee sprain is typically two to four weeks; he didn't practice today and though Saturday against Nebraska hasn’t been ruled out, the Oct. 1 game at Cincinnati seems more plausible. Berrios has made progress but not as much as UM hoped, Al Golden said.
But Stacy Coley is back from a hamstring injury and said he’s feeling fine and will play Saturday.
### Does UM need a No. 1 receiver to emerge? Al Golden doesn’t necessarily think so. “Herb Waters had 100 yards last week, Rashawn Scott had 100 yards the first week,” he said. “I don’t know who’s one. Those guys can be No. 1.”
### Odd stat: UM is 6 for 24 on third downs but 5 for 5 on fourth downs this season.
“As our defense has improved over the past 15 games, so has our ability to go for it on fourth down,” Golden said. “We need to catch the ball better on third down.”
### Golden wants to get the tight ends more involved in the passing game, not only starter Standish Dobard but backups Chris Herndon and David Njoku.
“We have to do a better job getting them the ball,” Golden said. “They can catch it. Stan is the most versatile. Chris and David can get vertical. I’d like to see them a little more active.”
### Kc McDermott is making a push at tackle, and Golden wouldn’t rule out changes on the offensive line. “I’m not displeased with the offensive line,” Golden said.
### What freshmen have impressed besides Mark Walton?
“We played a bunch,” Golden said. “Sheldrick Redwine has done a nice job. Quan Johnson on special teams has been awesome. Kendrick Norton has done a really nice job. Richard McIntosh has done a nice job. [Tyree] St. Louis, [Tyler] Gauthier done a nice job. I’m pleased with the group overall.”
### Though UM seems to have blitzed more at times, Mark D’Onofrio said he doesn’t believe that’s the case. “Don’t know that it’s a conscious effort,” he said. “I was disappointed we missed some sacks” against FAU.
### After years and years, UM is still waiting for a dominating defensive tackle to emerge.
Anthony Moten “did a good job” in practice last week and started ahead of Courtel Jenkins on Friday, but Jenkins played well. Calvin Heurtelou is entrenched as one starter. Michael Wyche has been a disappointment (my words) and was on the scout team.
### With Darrion Owens out for the year, Trent Harris probably will see some time at linebacker, along with Tyriq McCord. “That’s what they are, outside linebackers,” D’Onofrio said of those two.
### UM has four veteran safeties who want to play --- Deon Bush, Dallas Crawford, Rayshawn Jenkins and Jamal Carter, but Bush said that hasn’t bred any negative feelings.
“On Friday, Jamal made a great play and knocked the guy out,” Bush said. “That gives all the other safeties a boost. During a game, there is no competition amongst us. When I see Jamal go out there and knock somebody out, it brings a joy to everybody.”
### ABC has a split national at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, with some viewers getting UM-Nebraska and others getting Ohio State-Northern Illinois. But those who don’t get the Canes game on ESPN will see it on ESPN2.
Please check back tonight for a lot more Canes items and other stuff.
Twitter: @flasportsbuzz
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