Miami’s Secondary Faces Major Test in Title Game Without Xavier Lucas for First Half
As the Miami Hurricanes gear up for their shot at a national championship, they’ll be missing a major piece of their defensive puzzle-at least for the first 30 minutes. Starting cornerback Xavier Lucas is suspended for the first half of the title game due to a targeting call in the second half of Miami’s semifinal win over Ole Miss. And let’s just say, head coach Mario Cristobal isn’t hiding how he feels about it.
“We feel it was unjustly administered,” Cristobal said Sunday. “And now it impacts the last game of the season.”
That last part is the kicker. This isn’t a midseason non-conference matchup.
This is the national championship. Every snap counts, and Miami will be without one of its most reliable defensive backs for a full half.
Lucas has been a consistent force in Miami’s secondary all year. He’s started 11 games, posted 45 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, and added eight pass deflections and a pick.
According to Pro Football Focus, he’s graded out at 72.9 overall on defense, with a 75.9 coverage grade-second-best among Hurricanes cornerbacks. So yeah, his absence will be felt.
Cristobal isn’t the only one pushing back on the call. Former college football analyst David Pollack didn’t mince words on his podcast.
“I’m trying to get that targeting reversed, like that is such bullcrap,” Pollack said. “We’re going to go watch a national championship game, and a guy’s going to sit out a half of the national championship.
And because it was a horse crap call - It’s a terrible call. Like, the NCAA does nothing right.
It’d be a great chance to step in and fix something.”
The frustration here isn’t just about losing a player-it’s about the timing and the stakes. Targeting calls are automatically reviewed during games, but Cristobal believes there should be room for postgame review in situations like this.
“We do have the ability, again, as an officiating crew and the powers that be to revisit that to give every team due process and their best ability to compete in this game,” Cristobal said.
With Lucas sidelined for the first half, Miami’s depth in the secondary will be tested early-and that’s where things get even more complicated. Damari Brown, another key corner, hasn’t played in the postseason and said Saturday his status is still “up in the air.”
Meanwhile, OJ Frederique Jr., who’s been dealing with injuries, logged just five snaps against Ole Miss. He’s not listed on the injury report, and the sophomore said he’s good to go, but his recent usage raises questions about how close to 100% he really is.
So, heading into the biggest game of the season, Miami’s cornerback room is walking a tightrope. They’ll need young players and depth pieces to step up early-and step up big.
Coaching Connections Add Another Layer
Beyond the on-field drama, there’s an intriguing subplot unfolding on the sidelines. Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman will be facing off against Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti-his former boss at James Madison. From 2019 to 2021, Hetherman served as defensive coordinator under Cignetti, and their mutual respect is clear.
“To me, it’s not a surprise to see what happened, because it’s very process-driven, very detailed,” Hetherman said of Cignetti’s success. “They stick with exactly what it is every day that you have to get accomplished... That’s why I think he was successful at Elon, he was successful before that at IUP and James Madison.”
Cignetti echoed those sentiments, admitting he didn’t want Hetherman to leave his staff when the opportunity at Miami came calling.
“We actually don’t communicate a ton anymore, but I loved him,” Cignetti said. “I didn’t want him to leave.
We had a great relationship. I really thought a lot of him...
But we exchange texts occasionally.”
Cignetti also pointed out that while he’s seen schematic evolution in Hetherman’s defense, he can’t speak to his growth as a leader since they no longer work together day-to-day. Still, he made it clear he always considered Hetherman a top-tier football mind.
There’s another connection in the mix: Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, who succeeded Hetherman at James Madison and was also in Hetherman’s wedding party. Despite their close friendship, Haines says it’s easy to compartmentalize when it comes to game day.
“Coach Hetherman is an awesome, awesome football coach, and I love him as a human being, too,” Haines said. “But it’s pretty easy to separate work with the relationship.”
What It All Means
With a national title on the line, Miami is facing adversity before the ball is even kicked. Lucas’ absence puts added pressure on a banged-up secondary, and the Hurricanes will need a strong showing from their depth to weather the early storm. The coaching chess match between Hetherman and Cignetti adds another layer of intrigue, especially with so much shared history and mutual respect.
This game has all the ingredients: high stakes, star power, and just enough controversy to stir the pot. And when the lights come on, the Hurricanes will have to prove they can handle it all-without one of their top defenders for the opening act.