[8] The Canes' offense featured third team all-conference honoree senior Stephen Morris at quarterback;[9] he totaled 2868 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions during the season.
[10] A pair of sophomore running backs led the rushing attack, however one would not play in the bowl game – sophomore Duke Johnson, who rushed for a total of 920 yards and 6 touchdowns during the season en route to second team all-conference achievement,[9] broke his ankle in Miami's game against Florida State and subsequently underwent surgery, which prevented his participation in the bowl game,[11] and in his absence, sophomore Dallas Crawford picked up the slack, and in total, recorded 523 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns during the season.
[10] Miami's leading receiver was senior Allen Hurns, a second team all-conference honoree,[9] who recorded 60 receptions, exceeded 1,000 yards, and totaled 6 touchdowns on the season.
[14] The unit was anchored by first team all-conference honoree Denzel Perryman,[9] who totaled 104 tackles including 5 TFL and 1.5 sacks.
Other contributors included Tyrone Cornelius and Thurston Armbrister, each of whom started five games, and Tyriq McCord, whose four sacks led the team.
Senior Shayon Green started all 12 games opposite Chickillo, and recorded 63 tackles, 10.5 TFL (led the team), and 3 sacks.
[15][17] In the secondary, despite starting only two games, sophomore Deon Bush earned honorable mention all-conference accolades from the Atlantic Conference Sports Media Association;[18] he totaled 24 tackles and recorded 1 each TFL, sack, and interception.
After a 31–24 overtime victory on the road against the rival Cincinnati Bearcats to claim The Keg of Nails, Florida Citrus Sports CEO Steve Hogan extended an invitation to play in the game.
[23] Other contributing wide receivers included juniors Kai De La Cruz and Robert Clark, who combined for 38 receptions, 480 yards, and 4 touchdowns.
[30] The Cardinals' offensive line entered the season needing to replace players who had totaled a combined 73 starts, but returning three juniors expected to contribute – Jake Smith, John Miller, and Jamon Brown.
[33] Louisville's defense, which was coordinated by Vance Bedford, held opponents to 12.4 points per game, and recorded 39 total sacks, both of which were near the top of the NCAA.
[38] Though that was the starting lineup for all 12 of the Cardinals' regular season games,[38] sophomore end Sheldon Rankins also saw playing time, and made 15 tackles as well as 3 sacks.
[38] Two veteran safeties – junior Calvin Pryor and senior Hakeem Smith – anchored the Cardinals' defensive backfield, starting a combined 23 of 24 possible times.
Starting opposite him was redshirt sophomore Charles Gaines, a converted wide receiver who also was a kick returner, led the team with 5 interceptions and was one of the defense's top playmakers.
[42] He supplanted fellow redshirt sophomore Jermaine Reve, who started early in the season, but upon being overtaken was relegated to an extra defensive back in passing situations and recorded 20 total tackles.