Colleges

Demoted Leggett shows his potential

CORAL GABLES - Miami coach Randy Shannon calls it "coach-killers."

The phrase applies when a team has players blessed with speed and strength and ability, who seem more-than-capable of becoming stars - only to continually fall short of expectations.

"When it's time to make plays, they're not going to make them," Shannon said. "They're not going to do their job. ...So you play someone else."

That was the thinking behind Miami's decision to banish wide receiver Lance Leggett - whose 38-game career so far may be remembered more for drops than anything else - from the starting lineup Saturday. But Leggett responded to the demotion, making a career-long 80-yard catch for a touchdown in a win over Florida International.

"Feels good to make a big play," Leggett said. "I feel like I can make a big play every game."

"He's got to do his job consistently," Shannon said Sunday. "One play doesn't make a difference. If a guy can make one play and have another 40 that was bad, you still have to go with the other guy. We'll meet as a staff and know what we're going to do."

There were positive signs on offense for the Hurricanes.

Miami put up 428 yards, its best total in a year, and Kyle Wright completed 10-of-19 for 224 yards. Darnell Jenkins caught five balls for 108 yards, a career-best, and Leggett's catch represented the Hurricanes' longest play from scrimmage in nearly two full seasons.

THURSDAY GAME: It's a short week for the Hurricanes (2-1), who host No. 20 Texas A&M (3-0) Thursday night. The Aggies average 46 points and 445 yards per game, and have averaged 6 yards on every snap.

[Last modified September 16, 2007, 20:06:06]