Here is everything head coach Mario Cristobal had to say after the team beating Texas A&M 10-3 and the look ahead to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Opening statement…
“Wrapping up this past Saturday, really proud of our team going on the road against a really good football team in a challenging environment and showing grit, toughness, and resiliency. They responded really well in some critical situations. Appreciate our fans for the way they traveled and showed up. We felt them, and we really appreciate them being there. Now it’s about cleaning up the film, learning from it, and quickly turning the page to our opportunity coming up in the Cotton Bowl.”
On hearing from former players and alumni following the win…
“It’s been a little overwhelming in a positive manner. At the same time, we’ve learned our lesson before with attention and praise and how that can become intoxicating if you listen to too much of it. But it’s awesome to see former players at the game and on our sideline. It’s great to hear from guys we’ve heard from all year long, and the continued support and momentum from more guys reconnecting is great. Our alumni reunions are jam-packed every year, and we expect that again this spring. There’s a lot of momentum and enthusiasm, and it’s always awesome.”
On whether he will stick with Carter Davis as the field goal kicker…
“Right now, yes. I don’t see a reason to change. I know it wasn’t the best outing — I believe 1-for-4. Those conditions were extremely difficult, not only to kick but overall. Everything we’ve seen in practice and the conditions where we’ll be playing are more conducive to the success he’s had. We trust him, we trust the operation, and we’ll go forward with him. That said, we always keep positions competitive. Bert Auburn has done a great job, and so has Will Rocha, but we’ll go into this week with our guy starting.”
Mario speaking on Injury Updates…
“Daylan Upshaw sustained a foot injury in practice last week. Foot injuries are tricky, and it’s one of those things you can’t predict. He’ll be out for a significant amount of time. Jakobe Thomas is fine. Zechariah Poyser is fine. I think Mo Toure will be fine. Damari Brown is a little longer, but we’re hopeful we’ll get a favorable response soon. I can’t say he’s better than questionable right now.”
On what he learned from Corey Hetherman…
“He’s always in a state of growth and development, and it’s infectious. It’s permeated the room and the building. When one side of the ball plays at that level or makes a drastic improvement, it affects the other side as well. He’s extremely respected for his knowledge, his ability to make players better, and the time he invests. Over time, our players and staff have realized he’s not only an elite coach, but an elite person. Considering the sources involved in the hiring process, he’s been that and more.”
On Miami’s low penalty during a rough environment at A&M…
“That was a huge point of emphasis when we hit that rut in the middle of the season. It’s great to see the assessment and adaptations pay off. We had one pre-snap on defense and a delay on offense, and that was it. We didn’t jump offsides. We used different cadences, and while we won’t get into specifics, our players took on that challenge and never let the environment dictate our performance.”
On multiple true freshmen impacting the game…
“No doubt. High school recruiting continues to uptick, and it’s been awesome. Third Scroggins made a tremendous play on the quarterback on power read. Josh Moore and Malachi Toney — both of them — their blocking was just as valuable as anything else we did. They were physical and affected our ability to pop bigger runs. Their route discipline was excellent. Bryce Fitzgerald and others played well, and it speaks loudly to their commitment to development and the caliber of players we’re recruiting. Great sign of things to come.”
On the recruiting impact of games like this in the NIL era…
“Every recruiting process is different. I wouldn’t lump those things together. Recruiting is its own season that overlaps with everything else. We’ve seen it go many different ways. To each his own process.”
On the importance of grit and determination within the team…
“You can’t get this far into the season without it. You start with 136 teams and now you’re down to eight. Everyone’s banged up and has had to overcome adversity. Margins are razor thin now. You’ve got to grow it and continue to develop it. It’s not static. Every week has challenges. Like Coach Jimmy Johnson used to say, you’re either getting better or getting worse. You always have a choice.”
On the team heading into Ohio State game…
“I see resiliency. I credit the locker room, the coaches, the staff, the training, strength and conditioning — everyone. We’ve wired our program to think and talk a certain way, not robotic, but competitive. This sport will tear you down if you let it, and it demands your best. When difficult situations come up, that’s when I think we’re at our best.”
On what he has seen from Ohio State so far…
“They’re the defending national champions. Elite talent on both sides of the ball, top-five in just about every category. Great coaching, physical and mental toughness, and they’ve played elite football all season.”
On trash talking from players through the media…
“I have too much respect for the game to openly speak about other teams. Different programs do things differently. It’s not part of our culture. Respect your opponent, prepare at the highest level, and go from there. At this stage, no extra motivation is needed.”
On Jeremiah Smith…
“He’s an NFL prototype right now. He and their entire receiving corps create separation, beat coverage, block in the run game, and play hard. They’re complemented by a great quarterback and offensive line. They run the ball through people and play like defending national champs.”
On Julian Sayin…
“Very poised, accurate, great pocket presence, great decision-maker, and in command of the system. He doesn’t get rattled and shines in big moments. Top-shelf, Sunday player.”
On Carson Beck running the ball…
“Not rare for him. He wants to win. He’s not interested in stats or accolades. It was a low play-count game, but that’s an elite trait.”
On James Brockmeyer…
“Very quickly. He’s professional, comes from those bloodlines, and that offensive line room has high standards. No nonsense. It was a seamless transition. He’s been awesome all year — tough, physical, smart, an absolute grinder.”
On the 2002 team…
“We’re focused on the present.”
On when he knew the defense could be legit…
“The last five games have been impressive, but we felt it in spring and fall camp. Game one showed it. Statistically, everything has steadily improved. Watching film today, all they talked about was improving. They know there’s more.”
On representing the ACC…
“We’re proud of our conference. The caliber of teams, coaching, quarterbacks, and trench play prepares us for postseason football. There are Sunday players across the league.”
On the recruitment of Jeremiah Smith out of high school…
“Elite player, great family, first-class in everything he did.”
On the team mentality after Malachi Toney’s fumble…
“That moment says everything. When things went wrong, everyone gravitated to him and believed in him. That’s football and that’s life.”
On Keionte Scott…
“He’s the epitome of a competitor and teammate. Zero flinch. His mindset from day one was to come back stronger and faster. To perform like that with limited reps is rare. He’s different, and he’s an honor to be around.”
Opening statement…
“Wrapping up this past Saturday, really proud of our team going on the road against a really good football team in a challenging environment and showing grit, toughness, and resiliency. They responded really well in some critical situations. Appreciate our fans for the way they traveled and showed up. We felt them, and we really appreciate them being there. Now it’s about cleaning up the film, learning from it, and quickly turning the page to our opportunity coming up in the Cotton Bowl.”
On hearing from former players and alumni following the win…
“It’s been a little overwhelming in a positive manner. At the same time, we’ve learned our lesson before with attention and praise and how that can become intoxicating if you listen to too much of it. But it’s awesome to see former players at the game and on our sideline. It’s great to hear from guys we’ve heard from all year long, and the continued support and momentum from more guys reconnecting is great. Our alumni reunions are jam-packed every year, and we expect that again this spring. There’s a lot of momentum and enthusiasm, and it’s always awesome.”
On whether he will stick with Carter Davis as the field goal kicker…
“Right now, yes. I don’t see a reason to change. I know it wasn’t the best outing — I believe 1-for-4. Those conditions were extremely difficult, not only to kick but overall. Everything we’ve seen in practice and the conditions where we’ll be playing are more conducive to the success he’s had. We trust him, we trust the operation, and we’ll go forward with him. That said, we always keep positions competitive. Bert Auburn has done a great job, and so has Will Rocha, but we’ll go into this week with our guy starting.”
Mario speaking on Injury Updates…
“Daylan Upshaw sustained a foot injury in practice last week. Foot injuries are tricky, and it’s one of those things you can’t predict. He’ll be out for a significant amount of time. Jakobe Thomas is fine. Zechariah Poyser is fine. I think Mo Toure will be fine. Damari Brown is a little longer, but we’re hopeful we’ll get a favorable response soon. I can’t say he’s better than questionable right now.”
On what he learned from Corey Hetherman…
“He’s always in a state of growth and development, and it’s infectious. It’s permeated the room and the building. When one side of the ball plays at that level or makes a drastic improvement, it affects the other side as well. He’s extremely respected for his knowledge, his ability to make players better, and the time he invests. Over time, our players and staff have realized he’s not only an elite coach, but an elite person. Considering the sources involved in the hiring process, he’s been that and more.”
On Miami’s low penalty during a rough environment at A&M…
“That was a huge point of emphasis when we hit that rut in the middle of the season. It’s great to see the assessment and adaptations pay off. We had one pre-snap on defense and a delay on offense, and that was it. We didn’t jump offsides. We used different cadences, and while we won’t get into specifics, our players took on that challenge and never let the environment dictate our performance.”
On multiple true freshmen impacting the game…
“No doubt. High school recruiting continues to uptick, and it’s been awesome. Third Scroggins made a tremendous play on the quarterback on power read. Josh Moore and Malachi Toney — both of them — their blocking was just as valuable as anything else we did. They were physical and affected our ability to pop bigger runs. Their route discipline was excellent. Bryce Fitzgerald and others played well, and it speaks loudly to their commitment to development and the caliber of players we’re recruiting. Great sign of things to come.”
On the recruiting impact of games like this in the NIL era…
“Every recruiting process is different. I wouldn’t lump those things together. Recruiting is its own season that overlaps with everything else. We’ve seen it go many different ways. To each his own process.”
On the importance of grit and determination within the team…
“You can’t get this far into the season without it. You start with 136 teams and now you’re down to eight. Everyone’s banged up and has had to overcome adversity. Margins are razor thin now. You’ve got to grow it and continue to develop it. It’s not static. Every week has challenges. Like Coach Jimmy Johnson used to say, you’re either getting better or getting worse. You always have a choice.”
On the team heading into Ohio State game…
“I see resiliency. I credit the locker room, the coaches, the staff, the training, strength and conditioning — everyone. We’ve wired our program to think and talk a certain way, not robotic, but competitive. This sport will tear you down if you let it, and it demands your best. When difficult situations come up, that’s when I think we’re at our best.”
On what he has seen from Ohio State so far…
“They’re the defending national champions. Elite talent on both sides of the ball, top-five in just about every category. Great coaching, physical and mental toughness, and they’ve played elite football all season.”
On trash talking from players through the media…
“I have too much respect for the game to openly speak about other teams. Different programs do things differently. It’s not part of our culture. Respect your opponent, prepare at the highest level, and go from there. At this stage, no extra motivation is needed.”
On Jeremiah Smith…
“He’s an NFL prototype right now. He and their entire receiving corps create separation, beat coverage, block in the run game, and play hard. They’re complemented by a great quarterback and offensive line. They run the ball through people and play like defending national champs.”
On Julian Sayin…
“Very poised, accurate, great pocket presence, great decision-maker, and in command of the system. He doesn’t get rattled and shines in big moments. Top-shelf, Sunday player.”
On Carson Beck running the ball…
“Not rare for him. He wants to win. He’s not interested in stats or accolades. It was a low play-count game, but that’s an elite trait.”
On James Brockmeyer…
“Very quickly. He’s professional, comes from those bloodlines, and that offensive line room has high standards. No nonsense. It was a seamless transition. He’s been awesome all year — tough, physical, smart, an absolute grinder.”
On the 2002 team…
“We’re focused on the present.”
On when he knew the defense could be legit…
“The last five games have been impressive, but we felt it in spring and fall camp. Game one showed it. Statistically, everything has steadily improved. Watching film today, all they talked about was improving. They know there’s more.”
On representing the ACC…
“We’re proud of our conference. The caliber of teams, coaching, quarterbacks, and trench play prepares us for postseason football. There are Sunday players across the league.”
On the recruitment of Jeremiah Smith out of high school…
“Elite player, great family, first-class in everything he did.”
On the team mentality after Malachi Toney’s fumble…
“That moment says everything. When things went wrong, everyone gravitated to him and believed in him. That’s football and that’s life.”
On Keionte Scott…
“He’s the epitome of a competitor and teammate. Zero flinch. His mindset from day one was to come back stronger and faster. To perform like that with limited reps is rare. He’s different, and he’s an honor to be around.”
