CORAL GABLES, Fla. – For the first time this season, the Miami Hurricanes will hit the road.
The 'Canes (2-0) will face Appalachian State (2-0).
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Quarterback Brad Kaaya made it clear on Tuesday that the 'Canes respect their opponent.
"They're 2-0. They were 11-1 last year. They won their conference," Kaaya said. "Nothing about them should be taken lightly. They're a legit college football team. I think they're one of the best teams on our schedule. They could probably compete in every conference, I'd say."
One of the keys to success for the 'Canes has been the strong play of their defense.
Manny Diaz's defense was tested early by starting three freshmen at linebacker.
"You come in here with the mindset to always keep up to the standard," one of those linebackers, Shaquille Quarterman, said Tuesday. "So we don't get involved in the bright lights and the atmosphere as much as doing what we're supposed to do ... play as hard as we can, stop the run and play as a unit."
His fellow freshman linebacker Michael Pickney echoed the same thing.
"Being a Hurricane is just being someone who is dominant," he said. "We've been talking about this since ninth grade. We've been committed since ninth, 10th grade. The first game I was like, 'We here now.'"
The 'Canes and Appalachian State will kick off Saturday at noon.