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Miami's Rosier accepts benching in loss to Pitt: 'I got complacent'

Justin K. Aller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Malik Rosier endured one of the worst performances of his career in Friday's 24-14 loss to Pitt, and the Miami quarterback, who was benched briefly in the fourth quarter, took full responsibility for his struggles afterward.

"It was one of those moments to where, I felt like as a starter, especially as long as I've been starting I haven't lost yet. I guess I got complacent," Rosier told the media postgame, as transcribed by ESPN's Tom VanHaaren. "I was just out there to be out there, and I was kind of like going through my reads instead of dialing in and focusing every snap. After that, it really put this football game into perspective, that any moment I could get pulled."

Rosier, a first-year starter, was replaced by sophomore Evan Shirreffs for part of the final quarter, but was reinserted to finish the game. He went 15-of-34 passing for 187 yards with two touchdowns against the Panthers, though the second touchdown came in garbage time.

Despite the ugly outing, Miami coach Mark Richt said Rosier's starting job isn't in jeopardy heading into the ACC championship game versus Clemson.

"I know the guys are hurt," Richt said of the overall performance against Pitt. "I know I'm hurt - our coaching staff, everybody associated with our program, I'm sure, is hurt by it. But that's football, that's life. The good news is, we're about to play for the ACC championship here in seven or eight days. We gotta get rested up, get a good plan and get ready to play that one."

Even with their resume now blemished, the Hurricanes should comfortably get to the College Football Playoff if they claim ACC supremacy against the Tigers.

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