Miami progressing, ‘guys trying their butts off.’ But ‘talent level, depth’ are factors
Mario Cristobal went on WQAM early Monday to talk Hurricanes with hosts Joe Rose and Zach Krantz.
The Hurricanes (2-3, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) have lost three games in a row and travel this weekend to face the Virginia Tech Hokies (2-4, 1-2) for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Despite being on the road, Miami opened as an 8-point favorite against the Hokies, who also play in the ACC’s Coastal Division.
Cristobal stressed more than once Monday that despite the losses, progress has been made, just not enough to get to the level he believes they’ll attain if they keep working and focusing and ignoring outside noise. Cristobal is still working on his first full recruiting class after arriving in Coral Gables last December.
“Resiliency is earned and it’s worked for and a lot of that showed up,’’ Cristobal told Rose. “Learning to win requires that details be handled at the highest level because at our current talent level we’re going to be in a lot of close games. These games are going to come down to the wire, come down to the fourth quarter. So, ball security, repointing a [middle linebacker] when he walks outside; maintaining leverage on a pass rush so a guy doesn’t escape and they move the chains and extend a drive. Those things have to show up consistently when we practice for them to show up consistently in the game in the most critical moments. Because these games are going to come down anywhere between three, five, eight plays. That’s what we’re working on.”
The coach said the Hurricanes “are trying their butts off.’’
“We’re getting progress and whatnot. But we’ve got to understand and realize that with the way we are, our current talent level and roster depth, we have to eliminate, avoid the unavoidables and continue to ramp up and get better. ...We signed up for all this. We knew we had some work to do and we’re all about it.”
Receivers getting better
The UM receivers, who have struggled since fall camp, showed improvement in Saturday’s 27-24 loss to North Carolina, but still need to block better. Top receiver Xavier Restrepo (foot) attend the game without a boot, but is out for at least a few more weeks. Also out still out with a hand injury is Jacolby George. UM, helped by a career game by quarterback Tyler Van Dyke (42 of 57 for 496 yards and three touchdowns, with an interception), is now 15th nationally in passing offense (315.4 yards a game).
“Mike Redding is going to catch jugs out there until he is blue in the face,’’ Cristobal said in praise of Redding’s improvement. “They brought along Brashard Smith, who took a tremendous step up. Colbie Young, credit to him, hung in there. [He] got here very, very late in the process from Lackawanna [Junior] College, goes in there and makes a couple of really, really big plays.
“Frank Ladson continues to get better. Guys are improving. You’ve got to keep improving in terms of every part of the game. You gotta be able to block out there now, too, not just catching the ball. But in terms of just catching the ball, certainly improving.”
DB coverage breakdown
Cristobal spoke about UNC’s first “big” touchdown, the 74-yard pass from Drake Maye to J.J. Jones not being cornerback Tyrique Stevenson’s fault.
“We’re in Cover 2 and the safety saw something and — bam! — obviously he’s got to get his hands on that receiver. Follow him and then reroute him. The safety saw something that wasn’t quite there and jumped it. The same play we pick off a few plays later. It took us a little while to get settled in.
“The big plays we’ve allowed on defense are busts mentally that seem to get rectified as the game goes on. We’ve got to start better to avoid those big plays. These games could go 55-50, could be 7-6, you just don’t know. But we’ve got to find a way to win.”
We’ll hear more from Cristobal and offensive coordinator Josh Gattis and defensive coordinator Kevin Steele this afternoon at the weekly news conference.
This story was originally published October 10, 2022 at 9:42 AM.
