Miami Hurricanes defensive back Zechariah Poyser (7) gestures during a practice drill at the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility on the University of Miami campus in Coral Gables, Florida, on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
adiaz@miamiherald.com
So, that Miami Hurricanes secondary that looked to be getting closer to full strength?
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Yeah. It took a hit early on Saturday.
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Safety Zechariah Poyser was ejected for targeting midway through the first quarter of No. 3 Miami’s home game against the Florida State Seminoles at Hard Rock Stadium. The call came after he hit FSU quarterback Ashton Daniels as he was sliding at the end of a run.
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Kevin Sperry replaced Daniels after the hit, but Daniels returned on the next drive.
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The call knocks Poyser out for the rest of the game.
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It also came one drive after sophomore Bryce Fitzgerald, who has started the past five games at outside corner after opening the season at safety opposite Poyser at safety, left with what ESPN described as “massive pain” because of an upper-body injury. Fitzgerald returned to Miami’s sideline right around the end of the first quarter.
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And it all happened as Miami’s secondary came into the game in its best shape since the season opener. Xavier Lucas returned after missing the past four games and Damari Brown, who has played sparingly the past few weeks, was fully cleared as well.
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Now, they’re back down a key player even if for just one game.
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Miami led FSU 7-0 at the time of the targeting call. FSU marched to the UM 2-yard line but got stuffed on fourth and goal for a turnover on downs.
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This story will be updated.
This story was originally published October 17, 2026 at 7:33 pm.
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Jordan McPherson
miami herald
Jordan McPherson covers the Miami Hurricanes and Florida Panthers for the Miami Herald. He attended the University of Florida and covered the Gators athletic program for five years before joining the Herald staff in December 2017.