Although they had some injury scares during their 56-22 Peach Bowl win over Oregon, Indiana heads to the national championship game relatively healthy.
IU football coach Curt Cignetti said Monday via Zoom every player who saw the field against Oregon will be available next Monday when the Hoosiers face Miami in the College Football Playoff final.
“We came out really good, and everybody that played in the last game will play in this game,” Cignetti said.
That includes starting defensive end Mikail Kamara, who was attended to on the field on multiple occasions.
Starting safety Amare Ferrell was injured during the opening kickoff but returned to the game. Starting rover Devan Boykin appeared to land awkwardly at one point and limped off the field late in the game. Wide receiver Charlie Becker appeared to be dealing with an injury at one point as well.
But they are all good to go, says Cignetti.
The Hoosiers are expected to continue to be without injured starters Kellen Wyatt and Stephen Daley, who were lost for the season before the Oregon game, along with Lee Beebe, Jr., Tyler Morris, and Bryson Bonds.
Miami also had multiple players leave their semifinal game with injuries, but the Hurricanes appear to have avoided anything major as well.
“From an injury standpoint, I believe we’re coming out a lot like we went into the last game,” Cristobal said via Zoom on Monday. “I know a couple of guys skimped out of the game.
“(Akheem) Mesidor is in great condition. He hurt his elbow for a second and he’s already full throttle. Ahmad Moten was full throttle today. And O.J. (Frederique) came out. (Elijah) Lofton will be the one that’s in question. That would be the one that’s in question. Aside from that, I actually feel really good about the rest.
“I would say O.J. is good to go, and Damari Brown will still be day-by-day.”
Brown has played nearly 400 snaps this season at cornerback but hasn’t played during the College Football Playoff.
Lofton is Miami’s leading pass-catching tight end, with 23 catches for 218 yards and three scores. He has played 451 snaps this year.
Additionally, Miami cornerback Xavier Lucas was ejected in the fourth quarter against Ole Miss and is slated to miss the first half of the national championship game as a result.
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