The Hurricanes will be without one of their best players this season when they face N.C. State on Saturday.
Nickel back Keionte Scott was listed as out on Miami’s availability report, which was released Thursday night.
The Hurricanes will also be without running back Mark Fletcher Jr., wide receiver Tony Johnson for the second straight game and cornerback OJ Frederique Jr. for the third straight game.
Defensive tackle David Blay Jr., who suffered an injury against Syracuse, was listed as questionable, as was freshman defensive tackle Mykah Newton.
The good news for the Hurricanes is that UM starting wide receiver CJ Daniels and starting defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr., who both missed the last two games, were not listed on the report and can be expected to play.
Scott, who transferred to UM after previously playing for Auburn, has excelled in the Hurricanes’ secondary. He has 29 tackles, three sacks and an interception — he had a pick-six against Syracuse last week. Pro Football Focus gives Scott a 90.3 defensive grade, which is the best grade among ACC defensive backs.
Miami’s opponent, N.C. State, is expected to get two key players back. Running back Hollywood Smothers, who missed the Wolfpack’s last game, was listed as questionable, as was tight end Justin Joly.
The ACC is mandating its football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball teams report which players are available prior to each conference game. Football teams are required to submit an initial report two days before the game, an updated report one day before the game and a game day report no later than two hours before the game starts. Teams “must act in good faith to comply with this policy,” according to the conference.
The conference mandates teams announce which players meet certain designations.
-Available: Available to play
-Probable: likely to play or greater than 50 percent chance to play
-Questionable: uncertain to play or less than 50 percent chance to play
-Out: will not play or 0 percent chance to play
On game day reports, players can be listed as available, “game time decision” or out.
Here is the Hurricanes’ initial availability report before facing FSU on Saturday:
OUT
-RB Mark Fletcher Jr.
-DB Keionte Scott
-DB OJ Frederique Jr.
-DE Hayden Lowe
-TE Brock Schott
-TE Jack Nickel
-LB Malik Bryant
-WR Tony Johnson
-DB Chris Ewald Jr.
QUESTIONABLE
-DT David Blay Jr.
-DE Mykah Newton
