Miami Hurricanes head football coach Mario Cristobal spoke on 560 WQAM radio this morning to recap the win over the Central Michigan Chippewas and to look ahead to the Hurricanes’ first true Saturday road test against the Clemson Tigers with Joe Rose.
Cristobal announced that running back Mark Fletcher and defensive lineman Ahmad Moten will both be back for the Clemson game this weekend. Check out everything he had to say down below:
On Miami’s young players getting valuable experience and taking advantage of their opportunities: No, without a doubt we do. After the first series, really on both sides of the ball, we got our cleats in the ground and started playing football, and rotate a lot of guys in there, like you mentioned, and just, cut it loose, man. Cut it loose and had some success and certainly got better at a bunch of stuff. And also, again, a lot of areas we have to continue to get better at, but 1-0 and on to the next one.
On the Malachi Toney: Yeah, I don't think he gets enough credit for his blocking. I think he's not only one of the best blockers on the team, he's one of the best in college football, period. He seeks the space in there, runs his feet through contact, ends inside, understands snap, position, leverage, blocking low to high with a flat back, you know, excellent blocker.
On Javian Mallory: Yeah, strong runner, great contact balance, has really honed up his protection. He's really physical in protection as well. You've seen some of the internals and corner fires people brought. He's really stuck his face in there and knocked people back and has been a really good lead blocker also. He gets better and better. And again, whenever he, when he touches the ball, he's made the most of his opportunities.
On how Ben Congdon played: He did a good job. I think all the guards that we played, at least four of them, with the starting rotation and another couple towards the end, I believe, and they all improved. They all showed signs that they can play winning football for us. And we played some guys at tackle as well, and those guys showed signs as well. So I tell you, we're going to do one thing, Joe. We're going to do whatever gives Miami the best chance to win football games. So every single week we'll rank that thing up and put the best guys on the field.
On if he likes Jackson Cantwell at left tackle rather than left guard: Here's the thing, Joe. Everybody in our offensive line, when they were in high school, they don't play left tackle. Every single one of them, right? Yeah, every single one. That's the matter. Everybody you recruit plays left tackle. So the skill set necessary to play at the highest level, you've got to experience some reps inside. So you can get planted right in the teeth by a giant three-technique. You've got to go outside and play against some of those really explosive and long-ranging defensive ends, and we can move guys around. It's natural. His tackle, and he did a really good job on Saturday. So looking forward to continued progress by him, but a guy we're certainly counting on.
On the penalties: Well, I mean, we're getting interpretations on some of those, and at the end of the day, you know, when a flag is thrown, unfortunately it's not a court case, man. Yeah. It's just very on the spot, game over. And that part of things, do I agree with that? Of course not, but I try to be as respectful as possible bringing it to the table. I'll get an answer from, I'll give you a buzz on it, but those things are hard, man. Those are bang-bang plays that, defensive end is off balance after beating a tackle. He's trying to stay. You see his arm right, going waist up, and he's trying to do the right things for the outer end. Also, a missile trying to protect quarterback. So, you know, we also blocked the quarterback that was actually trying to make contact with us on the fumble return for a touchdown. Right. Got called for that also. So those are, but we need interpretations on that so we can get better. The ones that are inexcusable are the pre-snap penalties, right? Because pre-snap discipline and post-snap composure are musts, absolute musts, when winning football games, especially when you go on the road.
On Darian Mensah: Just keeps getting better and better. His level, his approach to the game, I love it. Just attack, attack, attack. Don't waste much time on anything, and just everything is geared towards playing winning football and making those around him better.
On if Ahmad Moten and Mark Fletcher will be back for the Clemson game: Yes, sir.
On what he prepares the most for the Clemson Tigers: A great team with great players and great coaches. I mean, I think, after their first game, they had a rough first game, and since then, three and O. They're outscoring everybody. I think it's like 74 to 37. They're pounding the ball. They're allowing 12 points a game. They haven't allowed a touchdown in the second half in the last three games. They actually outscored opponents 6 in the second half in the last three games. So they are playing really, really good football. They have a ton of NFL talent, really good, experienced coaches with challenging schemes. So let's go to work.
On the wide receiver room against Central Michigan: Yeah, getting better and getting better at blocking. Still got to improve at that as well, but, this offense is, we're very systematic. The ball will find you. If you take away something, something else is bound to come open, and it's our job to make sure we protect it and have the quarterback progress through and get the ball there. So everybody touches. The tight ends had a good day, running backs had a good day, inside, outside receivers all produced, and they all were involved in the run game in a positive manner with so many areas, especially the downfield blocking, so many areas to improve on.
Cristobal announced that running back Mark Fletcher and defensive lineman Ahmad Moten will both be back for the Clemson game this weekend. Check out everything he had to say down below:
On Miami’s young players getting valuable experience and taking advantage of their opportunities: No, without a doubt we do. After the first series, really on both sides of the ball, we got our cleats in the ground and started playing football, and rotate a lot of guys in there, like you mentioned, and just, cut it loose, man. Cut it loose and had some success and certainly got better at a bunch of stuff. And also, again, a lot of areas we have to continue to get better at, but 1-0 and on to the next one.
On the Malachi Toney: Yeah, I don't think he gets enough credit for his blocking. I think he's not only one of the best blockers on the team, he's one of the best in college football, period. He seeks the space in there, runs his feet through contact, ends inside, understands snap, position, leverage, blocking low to high with a flat back, you know, excellent blocker.
On Javian Mallory: Yeah, strong runner, great contact balance, has really honed up his protection. He's really physical in protection as well. You've seen some of the internals and corner fires people brought. He's really stuck his face in there and knocked people back and has been a really good lead blocker also. He gets better and better. And again, whenever he, when he touches the ball, he's made the most of his opportunities.
On how Ben Congdon played: He did a good job. I think all the guards that we played, at least four of them, with the starting rotation and another couple towards the end, I believe, and they all improved. They all showed signs that they can play winning football for us. And we played some guys at tackle as well, and those guys showed signs as well. So I tell you, we're going to do one thing, Joe. We're going to do whatever gives Miami the best chance to win football games. So every single week we'll rank that thing up and put the best guys on the field.
On if he likes Jackson Cantwell at left tackle rather than left guard: Here's the thing, Joe. Everybody in our offensive line, when they were in high school, they don't play left tackle. Every single one of them, right? Yeah, every single one. That's the matter. Everybody you recruit plays left tackle. So the skill set necessary to play at the highest level, you've got to experience some reps inside. So you can get planted right in the teeth by a giant three-technique. You've got to go outside and play against some of those really explosive and long-ranging defensive ends, and we can move guys around. It's natural. His tackle, and he did a really good job on Saturday. So looking forward to continued progress by him, but a guy we're certainly counting on.
On the penalties: Well, I mean, we're getting interpretations on some of those, and at the end of the day, you know, when a flag is thrown, unfortunately it's not a court case, man. Yeah. It's just very on the spot, game over. And that part of things, do I agree with that? Of course not, but I try to be as respectful as possible bringing it to the table. I'll get an answer from, I'll give you a buzz on it, but those things are hard, man. Those are bang-bang plays that, defensive end is off balance after beating a tackle. He's trying to stay. You see his arm right, going waist up, and he's trying to do the right things for the outer end. Also, a missile trying to protect quarterback. So, you know, we also blocked the quarterback that was actually trying to make contact with us on the fumble return for a touchdown. Right. Got called for that also. So those are, but we need interpretations on that so we can get better. The ones that are inexcusable are the pre-snap penalties, right? Because pre-snap discipline and post-snap composure are musts, absolute musts, when winning football games, especially when you go on the road.
On Darian Mensah: Just keeps getting better and better. His level, his approach to the game, I love it. Just attack, attack, attack. Don't waste much time on anything, and just everything is geared towards playing winning football and making those around him better.
On if Ahmad Moten and Mark Fletcher will be back for the Clemson game: Yes, sir.
On what he prepares the most for the Clemson Tigers: A great team with great players and great coaches. I mean, I think, after their first game, they had a rough first game, and since then, three and O. They're outscoring everybody. I think it's like 74 to 37. They're pounding the ball. They're allowing 12 points a game. They haven't allowed a touchdown in the second half in the last three games. They actually outscored opponents 6 in the second half in the last three games. So they are playing really, really good football. They have a ton of NFL talent, really good, experienced coaches with challenging schemes. So let's go to work.
On the wide receiver room against Central Michigan: Yeah, getting better and getting better at blocking. Still got to improve at that as well, but, this offense is, we're very systematic. The ball will find you. If you take away something, something else is bound to come open, and it's our job to make sure we protect it and have the quarterback progress through and get the ball there. So everybody touches. The tight ends had a good day, running backs had a good day, inside, outside receivers all produced, and they all were involved in the run game in a positive manner with so many areas, especially the downfield blocking, so many areas to improve on.
