Watch and read Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal’s post-scrimmage interview with Don Bailey, following today’s fall practice.
What did you see out of the offense?
The offense got in gear early, and they did it both on the ground, they threw and hit some big plays in the passing game, and then the defense did respond, which is what you want to see. And then the offense responded again. Last week felt like the defense had the upper hand; today felt like the offense had the upper hand. We had a lot of substitutions, put a lot of guys in really prominent roles today to see if they could handle it. We'll check out the film to see who did well, who didn't, and keep going from here, and just stay in camp mentality mode.
What did you see from the defensive side?
We were physically fit for the run well last week, and we have all week and today. It showed up at times. Then we plugged in a bunch of different guys at times, they did, and at times they didn't, and then on offense, at times guys stepped up and blocked. The way they're supposed to block with the physicality and finish, they're supposed to, and other times, like that fourth and one stop by the defense. Unbelievable play on defense and unacceptable on offense. So we got what we want in terms of the back and forth we got what we want in terms of a team that's now in practice 15. You felt the fatigue and fought through it because we had to push today and you have to have a breakthrough when you're tired both mentally and physically and come on and play good football.
Thoughts on special teams
Every single phase, ones, twos, and I'd say most of the threes got work as well on punt, kickoff, and return. I mean, all our kicking units got work. And we feel really strongly about those units.
How do classes next week affect the Miami vs. Notre Dame, two weeks away?
It doesn't. Preparation never stops. And you'd like to think that what we do in camp prepares them and gives them a foundation for being able to handle your classes, your schedule, your regimen, and still being able to take care of football at the highest level. When you're a Miami Hurricane, there's no compromise. Academics are going to be held to an elite standard. Football is going to be held to an elite standard. And they know that. And so now it's just getting regimented. Team management is critical. A lot of new guys are starting their first year in college. This ain't like high school, where the bell rings and it's go to period two, and it rings again, you go to period three. We fill in the gaps with stuff for them to do.
What did you see out of the offense?
The offense got in gear early, and they did it both on the ground, they threw and hit some big plays in the passing game, and then the defense did respond, which is what you want to see. And then the offense responded again. Last week felt like the defense had the upper hand; today felt like the offense had the upper hand. We had a lot of substitutions, put a lot of guys in really prominent roles today to see if they could handle it. We'll check out the film to see who did well, who didn't, and keep going from here, and just stay in camp mentality mode.
What did you see from the defensive side?
We were physically fit for the run well last week, and we have all week and today. It showed up at times. Then we plugged in a bunch of different guys at times, they did, and at times they didn't, and then on offense, at times guys stepped up and blocked. The way they're supposed to block with the physicality and finish, they're supposed to, and other times, like that fourth and one stop by the defense. Unbelievable play on defense and unacceptable on offense. So we got what we want in terms of the back and forth we got what we want in terms of a team that's now in practice 15. You felt the fatigue and fought through it because we had to push today and you have to have a breakthrough when you're tired both mentally and physically and come on and play good football.
Thoughts on special teams
Every single phase, ones, twos, and I'd say most of the threes got work as well on punt, kickoff, and return. I mean, all our kicking units got work. And we feel really strongly about those units.
How do classes next week affect the Miami vs. Notre Dame, two weeks away?
It doesn't. Preparation never stops. And you'd like to think that what we do in camp prepares them and gives them a foundation for being able to handle your classes, your schedule, your regimen, and still being able to take care of football at the highest level. When you're a Miami Hurricane, there's no compromise. Academics are going to be held to an elite standard. Football is going to be held to an elite standard. And they know that. And so now it's just getting regimented. Team management is critical. A lot of new guys are starting their first year in college. This ain't like high school, where the bell rings and it's go to period two, and it rings again, you go to period three. We fill in the gaps with stuff for them to do.
