Miami Hurricanes to have first open fall scrimmage in years Saturday at Hard Rock
The Miami Hurricanes, who lost five of their seven home games last season, will open their first fall scrimmage to fans at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday morning for the first time in several years — just hours after the Dolphins open their preseason at Hard Rock with a game against the Atlanta Falcons.
At last, some tackling at the Rock, where the 9:15 a.m. scrimmage (fans can arrive as early as 8:30) will be free of charge and part of UM’s annual CanesFest celebration for fans.
Cristobal said Wednesday after practice — the first in full pads — that he wants his “guys to understand the importance, the value, of creating a great home field advantage by making Hard Rock an awesome place to play and making sure we defend home field in a certain way.’’
The coach was asked if playing better at home was a point of emphasis in the offseason.
“Always has been,’’ Cristobal said. “Has been as a player, has been as an assistant coach, has been as a head coach. We’ve had tremendous success everywhere we’ve been and we’ve got to start working our way to having success here.’’
Several Hurricanes will be making their Hard Rock debut, even if it’s a vanilla scrimmage in which the quarterback obviously can’t be touched.
“This is going to be my first time playing at the Hard Rock and I’m pretty excited for it,’’ said Washington State middle linebacker transfer Francisco “Kiko” Mauigoa. “I can’t wait to get there, Feel the atmosphere, feel the turn. Can’t wait to play football and compete with my brothers.”
Cristobal said he’s not concerned about the scrimmage being public. UM’s season opener is against Miami of Ohio at 7 p.m. Sept. 1 at Hard Rock. The Canes play three straight, including Sept. 9 against Texas A&M and Sept. 14 against Behtune-Cookman at the Rock before their first road game Sept. 23 at Temple.
Last year UM lost at home to Middle Tennessee, North Carolina, Duke, Florida State and Pittsburgh.
“Where we are in terms of our install and what we’re doing that day, it’s something you wouldn’t be able to see on tape, so we don’t feel like we’re risking anything in terms of our stuff being out there,’’ Cristobal said. “We wanted to have one [open] last year [other than the spring game]. But just with all the stuff going on with the stadium in transition, we couldn’t have one.”
Defensive end Akheem Mesidor said Wednesday that he’s fired up to go to Hard Rock and scrimmage in front of the fans. “I’m just excited to compete and show everybody how much we’ve improved,’’ Mesidor said. “We’re trying to be as physical as we can up front, because at the end of the day, everything starts up front.’’
Conference realignment
Cristobal was asked about the college football realignment issue, which includes fellow Atlantic Coast Conference member Florida State threatening to leave the conference:
“I think it’s changing, but it’s staying the same. We’re still going to play on Thursday, Friday or Saturday,” Cristobal said. “We’re still going to have conference championships and we’re going to have national championships and bowl games. We’re just finding a different path to get there. It almost seems like it’s on its way to coming full circle. It’s moving fast, but I think everybody knows that regardless of what happens, the ball is still going to be placed on the tee and kicked off at its scheduled time.
“The more players and staff and organizations can stay focused on the current players and providing them with what they signed up for, a great student-athlete experience, and not worry about all the other dynamics... There are large dollars and contracts and extensive deals on the table that we have no control over. The bottom line is if you take care of your business, no matter where you’re at, what conference you’re at, you’re going to play in the games you want to play.
“You can be in the conference you think you want to be in, and if you don’t win the games you’re supposed to win, well, you know...’’
Freshman standouts
Cristobal again raved about some of his true freshmen, including defensive end Rueben Bain (out of Miami Central High), slot receiver Nathaniel Ray Ray Joseph (Miami Edison), cornerback Damari Brown (Plantation American Heritage) and running back Mark Fletcher (American Heritage).
“Really excited about Damari Brown. He pops, now. Big and physical. He can run. He plays with courage and toughness. Student of the game. He’s working to earn everything.’’
On Rueben Bain: “He’s a complete monster. He throws his body around when he plays football. Tremendous... That’s what you want at Miami, Rueben Bains all day.”
Cristobal said Bain “was benching about 250, 275 and weighing about 260. He’s now weighing 280, 285 and benching 400 pounds-plus. Explosive, fast, so smart. He’s a one-time correction guy. Just got a super bright future but he also has a super bright present.”
On Fletcher: “Mark Fletcher has been an absolute stud. ...His ability to get in and out of trouble when things aren’t exactly right has been impressive. His ability to protect has been awesome.’’
On Joseph: “Great player. The best part about him is he is not going to be outworked. Really smart, really detailed, whatever he does he does at 100 miles an hour. If he makes a mistake or if he drops a football, he is going to find a way to come back and make up for it.’’
▪ Sophomore defensive back Demetrius Freeney got “a little banged up,’’ Cristobal said. “Nothing too significant, but enough to hold him out.’’...Cristobal also said freshman running back Chris Johnson of Dillard was doing well before he “got a little banged up.’’ He wasn’t seen in early media availability this week.
This story was originally published August 9, 2023 at 2:58 PM.
