Mario Cristobal’s Monday afternoon update on Miami quarterback situation for Georgia Tech
Two days after Miami’s 45-3 loss at home to Florida State, Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal discussed his team, the situation, the injury status of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke and what happens quarterback-wise going forward.
Van Dyke, who started the game after injuring his throwing shoulder two weeks before that against Duke, re-injured the shoulder Saturday and came out of the game for good at 11:53 of the second quarter.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Jake Garcia came in briefly in the second quarter to replace Van Dyke and threw an interception on his first pass. Florida State scored three plays later to make it 28-3, before Garcia (1 of 2 for 1 yard and the interception) came in for one completion and was subsequently replaced by true freshman quarterback Jacurri Brown. Brown got most of the action, going 5 of 9 for 37 yards, with an interceptions. He ran 14 times for 54 yards.
Cristobal was asked by reporters at his weekly Monday afternoon news conference for an update on the quarterback situation and his thoughts on a possible starter for UM (4-5, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) at Georgia Tech (4-5, 3-3) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.
“We’re going to evaluate Tyler as the week goes on,’’ Cristobal said. “Probably in the same spot as we were a week ago. But I would say he’s better than he was a week ago at this time.’’
When asked if Tyler can’t go this week, does he know which of the backups would replace him and if he doesn’t, what does he want to see from Brown and Garcia leading to the game?
“We’ll evaluate that as it comes,’’ Cristobal said. “Right now our focus is on getting Tyler well. Jake has had had his really good moments during the year, he’s had his rough moments. Jacurri got his time. He’s had his good moments and he’s had his learning moments as well.
“We’ll evaluate that — we’ll probably keep that under wraps for a bit until we know more about Tyler.
Cristobal was asked at what point he says, “This is the guy we’re going with” in order to formulate his gameplan.
“As soon as possible. You always do. Do some of the things because of our injury situation you keep some things under wrap? It’s better for the program that we do. Because where we are in terms of injuries and having to shuffle things around, we gain nothing by putting out there what we’re going to go with. Let opponents prepare for everything.’’
Here’s what Cristobal told WQAM’s Joe Rose early Monday morning on the same subject:
“It hasn’t been easy. It’s been tough trying to figure that part out. We’ve got to figure that out this week. Obviously Jacurri had his moments. Jake has had his moments. I know it didn’t go well for him Saturday but he’s a good player and a good quarterback.
“Tyler is on the mend. Tyler has always been No. 1. He would be No. 1 if he’s healthy. We just don’t know where he’s going to be at.”
Van Dyke finished 4 of 8 for 24 yards Saturday. Rose also asked Cristobal if there was any “second-guessing” regarding Van Dyke’s starting the game and if Van Dyke was “healthy enough or iffy’’ going into kickoff.
“Oh, yes sir. He was healthy,’’ Cristobal said. “We wouldn’t have put him in there if he wasn’t. And he started off really well. The problem was that one ball he threw away, he just threw it at an angle that really caused him some pain. After that it wasn’t good for him to go back in. We kept him out. We wouldn’t put him out there unless he was cleared medically and he felt good to go and he wanted to go.’’
Jalen Rivers
Cristobal also was asked about 6-5, 325-pound starting left guard Jalen Rivers, who sustained what appeared to be a significant right-leg injury and was helped off the field by two teammates at 13:47 of the second quarter Saturday.
Immediately after the game, Cristobal said Rivers “was hurt pretty good. He went down, so we went with Laurance Seymore at guard.’’
On Monday, Cristobal said this of Rivers, among UM’s top linemen: “It’s a shame because he’s been playing really, really good football. Obviously we need the offensive line to be healthy. He’d be our third starter, our fourth starter we would lose this year if he is not healthy enough to go. So, fingers crossed as he gets . evaluated this morning and see where he is at.”
Several hours later in the afternoon, Cristobal said, “Jalen’s is going to be under further evaluation. We won’t know yet.’’
‘Pissed off’
Cristobal indicated at the end of the interview, as he has all along, the Hurricanes will eventually rebound and become a great program.
“I’ve been watching it from afar for a long, long time, he said. “I know everything that needs to be done and all the things we have to work on and unfortunately it takes time. You want to do well for everybody — for the community, for the fans, for the university. We’re not there yet.
“Are we going to get there? Absolutely. 100 percent. Undoubtedly. And we’re going to do that at full force with unbelievable players and an unbelievable program. Right now, you know what, it’s tough sledding. We gotta eat it, we gotta own up and be tough. If you ain’t tough, you know what, well tough crap, it ain’t for you.”
He also said he was “pissed off.’’
“Mario is pissed off, that’s what I’m thinking,’’ Cristobal said. “I’m upset. I’ve been fortunate enough to be around some good teams for a long team and played on some good teams and built some good teams and now we’ve got to build this one.
Early on it’s tough-ass sledding. I hate every bit of a loss that comes with it. But I also get up more enthused than ever to go to work. And that’s where we’re at. It’s that simple and that truthful, brother. There ain’t no other fluff to it.”
This story was originally published November 7, 2022 at 9:05 AM.
