College football: Coker benches Winslow

That's just a young man losing his cool, Coker said of Winslow's expletive-filled comments after the Hurricanes' 10-6 loss to Tennessee on Saturday at the Orange Bowl.

The more troubling aspect of Winslow's behavior -- in Coker's mind -- is Winslow's tendency to do the same thing on the field.

So this Saturday afternoon when the 14th-ranked Hurricanes (7-2 overall, 3-1 Big East) host Syracuse (5-3, 2-2), Winslow will not be in his customary starting role.

Junior Kevin Everett will start for the Hurricanes as they try to snap a two-game losing streak and keep their hopes for a Big East Conference title alive.

"It wasn't the comments, it was the situation with some extracurricular things and penalties incurred that hurt our football team," Coker said Tuesday. "When you take away playing time from a player, that's perhaps the most effective way (of getting his attention)."

How long Winslow, Miami's leading receiver, stays on the sidelines is anybody's guess. Coker said Winslow will play, but wouldn't elaborate on when Winslow would enter the game.

Coker emphasized that Winslow's benching had nothing to do with the player's emotional outburst following the loss to Tennessee, when Winslow cursed and likened himself to a "soldier" while addressing reporters after the game.

Winslow issued an apology to the team and the university on Sunday.

"I didn't take it (as offensive)," Coker said.

"That's a metaphor. I don't think he meant any disrespect. I think people carried it too far. ... Kellen was embarrassed."

Winslow received a critical 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty following a 22-yard reception against Tennessee that blunted the momentum of a Miami drive.

The play was the latest in a series of flags against Winslow, whose on-field histrionics have helped make the Hurricanes the most-penalized team in the Big East.

"There are going to be penalties," Coker said. "We can't have foolish penalties. When you have those, you self-destruct."

"We really don't care who's out there," said sophomore offensive tackle Eric Winston. "We just want to get a win. Kevin is going to come in there and do his job. You'll notice a difference, he's a little more low-key than Kellen."

Winslow may not be the only Miami regular coming off the bench against Syracuse. Quarterback Brock Berlin, who started the first nine games before being benched this week in favor of senior Derrick Crudup, could see playing time, too.

"Brock has got nine games of experience," Coker said. "We know the things he's done, and he's done some things awfully well. We're going to have both guys ready to play."

Berlin and Crudup, who has thrown for 290 yards and two touchdowns in relief of Berlin this season, were embroiled in a quarterback controversy in spring practice. Things escalated to the point where Crudup's family said they felt race was a factor in Berlin being named the starter.

Crudup's teammates said all that madness is behind them.

"That's really never come up," said junior offensive lineman Chris Myers. "You look at those guys, and they're friends. Right now we're just looking for a spark to come in and get us going."

NOTES: Though senior running back Jarrett Payton will start against Syracuse, Coker said he hopes freshman Tyrone Moss will be able to get into the game earlier. ... Senior offensive tackle Vernon Carey is questionable with a sprained ankle. If Carey can't go, senior Joe McGrath would start. Carey's injury may affect former Estero High standout Derrick Morse. The Hurricanes had hoped to redshirt Morse, who has played in three games this season. He suffered a hand injury two weeks ago. If Carey can't play, Morse would possibly be one of the active backups Saturday. ... Sophomore cornerback Glenn Sharpe is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.