Mario Cristobal goes in depth on UF win and FAMU game: “Come celebrate with the Hurricanes at Hard Rock.”
16 min read
There was a lot to talk about after the win on Saturday. Mario Cristobal sat down with Joe Zagacki and Don Bailey, Jr. to break down the big win and the upcoming game against FAMU. His comments are below:
On the 41-17 win: It was a beautiful day in Gainesville. It was a great experience, but really the thing that was so impressive is how well prepared the University of Miami football team was. All the talk about the noise, not a problem. All the talk about the heat, not a problem. All the talk about the crowd, no issue whatsoever. Team came out, they were excited, kept their energy for the full 60 minutes, and really did exactly what they set out to do in every phase of the game.
On Cam Ward: You've heard him described many ways the last couple days, but [my takeaway] is that he was prepared. You saw calmness because he knew what was coming, he knew what he was supposed to do, and he knew how to handle the football and get in and out of bad plays. And you look at the way that he performed in that football game and the plays that he made happen, it's just outstanding.
On Lance Guidry’s defense: What they did to Mertz, he was knocked out of the game is one thing, but they held him to about 55% completion percentage. This was a guy who was in the 70s and had thrown a bunch of touchdowns, only three interceptions. So they harnessed him, but now it's time to pay tribute to this football team after going up to the University of Florida and doing something that hadn't been done in 35 years with them losing a home opener. Come celebrate with the Hurricanes at Hard Rock.
On the Miami fans on the road: They were awesome. We felt them. And really, I want to also add congratulations to all Miami Hurricane former players, fans, alumni. I know that was a really big game for everyone. A rivalry game like tha lasts an entire year. So congrats to the entire Miami Hurricane family.
On the lack of penalties: Practice and preparation really became our game reality. Practicing in the noise the way that we set it up here at our place and creating that type of environment. When we got off the plane, our sports science director, Doc Renaghan, he hit me up right away. He's like, “It's 20% less humid up here than it is down in Miami.” So he had done a lot. Him and Coach Feld did a great job with our players. They worked together to get our guys in elite shape. We only had one IV administered. The guys held up really well, no cramping or whatnot, and just felt like they were really prepared mentally and physically and went out there and played some really good football.
On the physicality of the team: It showed up in a lot of different spots. It showed up in the trenches, it showed up on the perimeter, it showed in the way that we protected the quarterback, and it showed in the way that we affected their quarterback. There were a lot of muddy and bloody yards throughout the entire thing, a lot of forcing arm tackles and running our feet through contact and moving piles. You've got to have those tough yards, and you've got to have those feet grinding and churning in those piles to make those drives and those chains continue to move forward.
On the resiliency of the defense: It all started when we turned the ball over. There was absolutely no flinch in them whatsoever. None. They went out there and held them to a field goal and our offense went out there and responded right away. And then the offense came back and had the defense’s back.
We gave up the one play we had a bust. The offense came right back and scored. Before halftime, we got a sack that ended whatever drive they were going to start, came out and got the ball after halftime and went down and scored again. The way that they played off of each other was awesome to watch, but the defense certainly set the tone right away with forcing them to punt.
On the rotations: I don't know how many players we played, but certainly a lot of dirty jerseys on the sideline, a lot of energy. Our rotations kept our guys fresh. We weren't rotating to please anybody. We're rotating because guys earned playing time and they showed that they can help us win football games. They did so on Saturday.
On the linebackers: Those guys, they run, they talk, and they hit. And they do it at a really, really high level. They have the benefit of having a defensive line that we've certainly bolstered through both recruiting and through player development and strength and conditioning. So that front seven played really well together.
On the defensive backs: I thought they had a great game. Those guys really showed up in a big-time way. They were handling all those play action passes and those shots down the field, those crossing routes, the double overs, the double post, the wheels, all that stuff. They did a fantastic job covering those things up and staying on course with their assignments.
On Tre Wilson, #3 on the Gators: He's a really good player and he made plays. That guy will have an awesome career and a long NFL career. He was someone we were certainly aware of. A lot of respect for him, because they certainly get on the ball in so many different ways. We found a way to prevent them from creating a lot of explosive plays. And that certainly helped us to limit them and put them in difficult third-down situations.
On the defense helping field position: Very, very impressive. They got off the field. They allowed us to really flip the field. [Our average starting field position] just got better and better and better, and it was due to the defensive unit continuing to get stops. Got the two turnovers as well. Can't say enough about those players. All of them just they prepared and played so hard and a great job by the coaching staff putting that together.
On the third and fourth down defense: [UF has] got a big, powerful, massive offensive line. One of the most talented teams in the country. Our guys knew that we were going to have to be at our best. Getting off the field was at a premium. Coach Guidry had a really good feel for what to call when, and he dialed up some stuff that was difficult to block up and match up. Some guys came free and forced some balls to get out early or forced some balls to be thrown away and got some sacks. All in all, just a game plan that worked and really prepared in a tremendous manner.
On the tight ends: They [exploded]. There's more coming. They've been awesome. Last year, it was like a pause. New coordinator, a new system. Tremendous progress in Year One, but man, when you get to be in-house for a second year, when you start in January and you've got continuity and you've already made progress, then sky's the limit, because now you can really push the envelope and expand and evolve and do the things that have made Miami successful.
More on Cam Ward: We see it in practice every day. I’m sure Coach Guidry was glad someone else had to go against him. The guy works at it. Besides being uber-talented and really driven, he just works at it nonstop.
The stuff that he does on a daily basis, it really showed up. He also provides an energy and a spark that's unique. It permeates the entire sideline, the locker room. It was awesome to finally watch Cam Ward play in a Miami Hurricane uniform.
On the impact of Cam’s playing style: He gets the ball out so quickly, you better be ready. You better be ready to be the first read, even if you didn't think you were going to be the first read. And then you better be ready if things break down back there and that plays alive. It's good for the linemen. Don't ever stop blocking. You know this guy can make something happen out of nothing. He certainly made a couple of just next-level spectacular plays on Saturday.
On the running back room: There's a couple other guys that their time is coming as well now, Ajay [Allen] and Chris Johnson. Looking forward to seeing them play as well. But you've got strength, you've got power, you've got speed, and you've got some big old boys up front that move people. Our running game was solid on Saturday against some difficult looks, and you can expect to just keep evolving and getting better and better.
On FAMU: Last year, they were national champions. They've got a 13-game winning streak. They've got a lot of NFL prospects on their roster. Top 10 defense last year nationally. A lot of local guys. And their head coach is also a Miami guy. I have a ton of respect for him. Watching his team play, they play with a lot of passion, a lot of energy. They've got great team speed. A spread offense that really gets after you with play-action passes, it gets after you with the RPO game, does a great job running a counter and inside zone, same side zone. On defense, they're a four-down front, but they're multiple on the back end and they bring pressure from everywhere.
So an athletic bunch that plays fast. They play physical. They're impressive. I know that they had a couple of opponents on the ropes. One common opponent this year in USF, and North Carolina two years ago. I've been following them for a long time and I know the caliber of player that they have on that roster and certainly the caliber of head coach that they have.
On QB Daniel Richardson: Local product, has played a lot of football, seen a lot of football, played a lot of downs against all kinds of competition. He's got a big, massive offensive line. He's got a line that can move its feet, that has power, that can create stuff in the run game. They’ve got a really, really good football team, and our guys are excited to play them.
Our guys got a chance to watch them on film in-depth the last couple days, and they know that these guys have a good football team. They know that we can be a really good football team. So we're going to be ready to play football.
On redshirt seniors: It doesn't exist much anymore in college football, right. You look at teams across the country when certain teams peak, when they have those special years, there's a lot of R's on that roster.
A lot of experience [for FAMU]. They did a really good job in the transfer portal as well, as well as in their recruiting cycle. We have a really good feel for how good of a team that they are, and we also have a really good feel for what we have to improve upon, which at the end of the day is the most important part. If we want to be really, really good, we have to continue to improve every single game. This is an opportunity against a really good football team to show that we can be better than we were last week.
On the team’s mindset: Jalen Rivers said it best the other day. He just had enough. So many people in this building have come back here because they had enough. The greatest thing any man could take into a fight or a mission is a really good, strong reason.
Jalen exemplifies that. Jalen's been through a lot. He's seen the ups and downs. He's ready to take and help the program take that next step. It’s almost like positive anger. That's the best way to put it. That's an energy that burns clean and burns strong. If used the right way, it could be very powerful. I think that's the mindset our guys are in. We just want to get better. We didn't listen to the noise before. We certainly don't want to listen to it after. We just want to get to work and get better.
On making explosive plays: For us, it's doing the simple stuff better. Routine plays done at a really high level turn into explosive plays. When you get the mindset of, “Hey, somebody make a play,” it's almost like desperation to come out of the routine and do something outside of your job. Everybody do your job to the best of your ability and that will turn into the highlight plays that you see on the networks.
On the Cam touchdown to Jacolby George: That's one of those where you're like, “Oh, boy. What's going to happen here?” And when you see that ball launched and you see the catch you're like, “Really? Wow.”
We’re really progressing and doing things at another level and guys like Cam Ward and Jacolby and some of the other guys we mentioned earlier there, it's part of the enhancement of a roster. And then putting guys in situations where they can really excel. Player development goes hand-in-hand with personnel use and all that stuff came together nicely in Game 1. Now it's time to do it for Game 2.
On players being happy for each other. I think we recruited like-minded individuals. These guys were alphas, and the hardest thing in the world is getting alphas to work together now. Because they want to come and they want to fight each other. They want to compete. Somehow, with all the extra team activities and time we spend bonding and getting together, it finally hit everybody that the enemy is going to be in the other locker room. Let's start bringing this thing together.
On Jacolby George: I's important to mention Jacolby George, because a year ago everybody was all over him and me because there was some post-snap stuff that cost us. He was singled out today in the team meeting because of his composure when he was blocking his tail off and one of their corners took a swipe at him and punched him. That's part of football. I don't get mad at that and I'm not throwing a player on the other team under the bus. Ball is ball and stuff happens.
The referee always sees the second guy. To stay composed and just keep blocking and go back to the huddle and no flags thrown, that's a monster step of development and growth. We're going to continue to, not only reward and praise [that growth], but to put pressure on the guys to do that. That's ultimate team-type play right there. That stuff really, really wins ballgames and affects an entire locker room. Proud of you, Jacolby George.
On the importance of filling up Hard Rock Stadium: Hard Rock packed up is an unbelievable environment. I think our fans have seen a glimpse of what the 2024 Miami Hurricanes can be. That performance is something that our guys are not satisfied with. They want to get better and do better and they want to do it in front of our people. They want to see our people there.
So great opportunity on Saturday. The weather is going to be perfect. A great opponent to start the season off with at home. It's going to be great competition and a great atmosphere. Our guys are really, really excited to go play at the Rock.
On the importance of winning games against big programs: It’s huge progress for us because that was always the vision. For Miami to be able to do that, go toe-to-toe at home and away against some of the programs you just mentioned (UF, Clemson, Texas A&M) and do it on a consistent basis. We get better and better from it. You can get on a roll at Miami if you do things the right way, and really it builds upon itself.
For us, we're not going in any way, shape, or form get ahead of ourselves. We won Game One, extremely proud of it. It is as far back in the rearview mirror for our players now as you can imagine, because after watching that tape, we all saw how much better we can get. We can coach better, we can call it better, we can play with better technique, better pad level, better fundamentals, we get in better shape. There's stuff all over the film that shows that we’ve got a lot to improve upon. We’re looking forward to doing that so that we can continue to push this program forward.
More on the FAMU matchup: They've got players from all over the country. 85% of that roster is from South Florida. A lot of those guys have gone off to play other places and come back to FAMU. Their quarterback, [Daniel] Richardson, I believe he's got the most yards in Dade County history as far as passing goes. He's an experienced guy. They're 2-0. They've had to come from behind a couple times this year to win the football game, but they do know how to win. They are very successful and have a winning tradition.
On the 41-17 win: It was a beautiful day in Gainesville. It was a great experience, but really the thing that was so impressive is how well prepared the University of Miami football team was. All the talk about the noise, not a problem. All the talk about the heat, not a problem. All the talk about the crowd, no issue whatsoever. Team came out, they were excited, kept their energy for the full 60 minutes, and really did exactly what they set out to do in every phase of the game.
On Cam Ward: You've heard him described many ways the last couple days, but [my takeaway] is that he was prepared. You saw calmness because he knew what was coming, he knew what he was supposed to do, and he knew how to handle the football and get in and out of bad plays. And you look at the way that he performed in that football game and the plays that he made happen, it's just outstanding.
On Lance Guidry’s defense: What they did to Mertz, he was knocked out of the game is one thing, but they held him to about 55% completion percentage. This was a guy who was in the 70s and had thrown a bunch of touchdowns, only three interceptions. So they harnessed him, but now it's time to pay tribute to this football team after going up to the University of Florida and doing something that hadn't been done in 35 years with them losing a home opener. Come celebrate with the Hurricanes at Hard Rock.
On the Miami fans on the road: They were awesome. We felt them. And really, I want to also add congratulations to all Miami Hurricane former players, fans, alumni. I know that was a really big game for everyone. A rivalry game like tha lasts an entire year. So congrats to the entire Miami Hurricane family.
On the lack of penalties: Practice and preparation really became our game reality. Practicing in the noise the way that we set it up here at our place and creating that type of environment. When we got off the plane, our sports science director, Doc Renaghan, he hit me up right away. He's like, “It's 20% less humid up here than it is down in Miami.” So he had done a lot. Him and Coach Feld did a great job with our players. They worked together to get our guys in elite shape. We only had one IV administered. The guys held up really well, no cramping or whatnot, and just felt like they were really prepared mentally and physically and went out there and played some really good football.
On the physicality of the team: It showed up in a lot of different spots. It showed up in the trenches, it showed up on the perimeter, it showed in the way that we protected the quarterback, and it showed in the way that we affected their quarterback. There were a lot of muddy and bloody yards throughout the entire thing, a lot of forcing arm tackles and running our feet through contact and moving piles. You've got to have those tough yards, and you've got to have those feet grinding and churning in those piles to make those drives and those chains continue to move forward.
On the resiliency of the defense: It all started when we turned the ball over. There was absolutely no flinch in them whatsoever. None. They went out there and held them to a field goal and our offense went out there and responded right away. And then the offense came back and had the defense’s back.
We gave up the one play we had a bust. The offense came right back and scored. Before halftime, we got a sack that ended whatever drive they were going to start, came out and got the ball after halftime and went down and scored again. The way that they played off of each other was awesome to watch, but the defense certainly set the tone right away with forcing them to punt.
On the rotations: I don't know how many players we played, but certainly a lot of dirty jerseys on the sideline, a lot of energy. Our rotations kept our guys fresh. We weren't rotating to please anybody. We're rotating because guys earned playing time and they showed that they can help us win football games. They did so on Saturday.
On the linebackers: Those guys, they run, they talk, and they hit. And they do it at a really, really high level. They have the benefit of having a defensive line that we've certainly bolstered through both recruiting and through player development and strength and conditioning. So that front seven played really well together.
On the defensive backs: I thought they had a great game. Those guys really showed up in a big-time way. They were handling all those play action passes and those shots down the field, those crossing routes, the double overs, the double post, the wheels, all that stuff. They did a fantastic job covering those things up and staying on course with their assignments.
On Tre Wilson, #3 on the Gators: He's a really good player and he made plays. That guy will have an awesome career and a long NFL career. He was someone we were certainly aware of. A lot of respect for him, because they certainly get on the ball in so many different ways. We found a way to prevent them from creating a lot of explosive plays. And that certainly helped us to limit them and put them in difficult third-down situations.
On the defense helping field position: Very, very impressive. They got off the field. They allowed us to really flip the field. [Our average starting field position] just got better and better and better, and it was due to the defensive unit continuing to get stops. Got the two turnovers as well. Can't say enough about those players. All of them just they prepared and played so hard and a great job by the coaching staff putting that together.
On the third and fourth down defense: [UF has] got a big, powerful, massive offensive line. One of the most talented teams in the country. Our guys knew that we were going to have to be at our best. Getting off the field was at a premium. Coach Guidry had a really good feel for what to call when, and he dialed up some stuff that was difficult to block up and match up. Some guys came free and forced some balls to get out early or forced some balls to be thrown away and got some sacks. All in all, just a game plan that worked and really prepared in a tremendous manner.
On the tight ends: They [exploded]. There's more coming. They've been awesome. Last year, it was like a pause. New coordinator, a new system. Tremendous progress in Year One, but man, when you get to be in-house for a second year, when you start in January and you've got continuity and you've already made progress, then sky's the limit, because now you can really push the envelope and expand and evolve and do the things that have made Miami successful.
More on Cam Ward: We see it in practice every day. I’m sure Coach Guidry was glad someone else had to go against him. The guy works at it. Besides being uber-talented and really driven, he just works at it nonstop.
The stuff that he does on a daily basis, it really showed up. He also provides an energy and a spark that's unique. It permeates the entire sideline, the locker room. It was awesome to finally watch Cam Ward play in a Miami Hurricane uniform.
On the impact of Cam’s playing style: He gets the ball out so quickly, you better be ready. You better be ready to be the first read, even if you didn't think you were going to be the first read. And then you better be ready if things break down back there and that plays alive. It's good for the linemen. Don't ever stop blocking. You know this guy can make something happen out of nothing. He certainly made a couple of just next-level spectacular plays on Saturday.
On the running back room: There's a couple other guys that their time is coming as well now, Ajay [Allen] and Chris Johnson. Looking forward to seeing them play as well. But you've got strength, you've got power, you've got speed, and you've got some big old boys up front that move people. Our running game was solid on Saturday against some difficult looks, and you can expect to just keep evolving and getting better and better.
On FAMU: Last year, they were national champions. They've got a 13-game winning streak. They've got a lot of NFL prospects on their roster. Top 10 defense last year nationally. A lot of local guys. And their head coach is also a Miami guy. I have a ton of respect for him. Watching his team play, they play with a lot of passion, a lot of energy. They've got great team speed. A spread offense that really gets after you with play-action passes, it gets after you with the RPO game, does a great job running a counter and inside zone, same side zone. On defense, they're a four-down front, but they're multiple on the back end and they bring pressure from everywhere.
So an athletic bunch that plays fast. They play physical. They're impressive. I know that they had a couple of opponents on the ropes. One common opponent this year in USF, and North Carolina two years ago. I've been following them for a long time and I know the caliber of player that they have on that roster and certainly the caliber of head coach that they have.
On QB Daniel Richardson: Local product, has played a lot of football, seen a lot of football, played a lot of downs against all kinds of competition. He's got a big, massive offensive line. He's got a line that can move its feet, that has power, that can create stuff in the run game. They’ve got a really, really good football team, and our guys are excited to play them.
Our guys got a chance to watch them on film in-depth the last couple days, and they know that these guys have a good football team. They know that we can be a really good football team. So we're going to be ready to play football.
On redshirt seniors: It doesn't exist much anymore in college football, right. You look at teams across the country when certain teams peak, when they have those special years, there's a lot of R's on that roster.
A lot of experience [for FAMU]. They did a really good job in the transfer portal as well, as well as in their recruiting cycle. We have a really good feel for how good of a team that they are, and we also have a really good feel for what we have to improve upon, which at the end of the day is the most important part. If we want to be really, really good, we have to continue to improve every single game. This is an opportunity against a really good football team to show that we can be better than we were last week.
On the team’s mindset: Jalen Rivers said it best the other day. He just had enough. So many people in this building have come back here because they had enough. The greatest thing any man could take into a fight or a mission is a really good, strong reason.
Jalen exemplifies that. Jalen's been through a lot. He's seen the ups and downs. He's ready to take and help the program take that next step. It’s almost like positive anger. That's the best way to put it. That's an energy that burns clean and burns strong. If used the right way, it could be very powerful. I think that's the mindset our guys are in. We just want to get better. We didn't listen to the noise before. We certainly don't want to listen to it after. We just want to get to work and get better.
On making explosive plays: For us, it's doing the simple stuff better. Routine plays done at a really high level turn into explosive plays. When you get the mindset of, “Hey, somebody make a play,” it's almost like desperation to come out of the routine and do something outside of your job. Everybody do your job to the best of your ability and that will turn into the highlight plays that you see on the networks.
On the Cam touchdown to Jacolby George: That's one of those where you're like, “Oh, boy. What's going to happen here?” And when you see that ball launched and you see the catch you're like, “Really? Wow.”
We’re really progressing and doing things at another level and guys like Cam Ward and Jacolby and some of the other guys we mentioned earlier there, it's part of the enhancement of a roster. And then putting guys in situations where they can really excel. Player development goes hand-in-hand with personnel use and all that stuff came together nicely in Game 1. Now it's time to do it for Game 2.
On players being happy for each other. I think we recruited like-minded individuals. These guys were alphas, and the hardest thing in the world is getting alphas to work together now. Because they want to come and they want to fight each other. They want to compete. Somehow, with all the extra team activities and time we spend bonding and getting together, it finally hit everybody that the enemy is going to be in the other locker room. Let's start bringing this thing together.
On Jacolby George: I's important to mention Jacolby George, because a year ago everybody was all over him and me because there was some post-snap stuff that cost us. He was singled out today in the team meeting because of his composure when he was blocking his tail off and one of their corners took a swipe at him and punched him. That's part of football. I don't get mad at that and I'm not throwing a player on the other team under the bus. Ball is ball and stuff happens.
The referee always sees the second guy. To stay composed and just keep blocking and go back to the huddle and no flags thrown, that's a monster step of development and growth. We're going to continue to, not only reward and praise [that growth], but to put pressure on the guys to do that. That's ultimate team-type play right there. That stuff really, really wins ballgames and affects an entire locker room. Proud of you, Jacolby George.
On the importance of filling up Hard Rock Stadium: Hard Rock packed up is an unbelievable environment. I think our fans have seen a glimpse of what the 2024 Miami Hurricanes can be. That performance is something that our guys are not satisfied with. They want to get better and do better and they want to do it in front of our people. They want to see our people there.
So great opportunity on Saturday. The weather is going to be perfect. A great opponent to start the season off with at home. It's going to be great competition and a great atmosphere. Our guys are really, really excited to go play at the Rock.
On the importance of winning games against big programs: It’s huge progress for us because that was always the vision. For Miami to be able to do that, go toe-to-toe at home and away against some of the programs you just mentioned (UF, Clemson, Texas A&M) and do it on a consistent basis. We get better and better from it. You can get on a roll at Miami if you do things the right way, and really it builds upon itself.
For us, we're not going in any way, shape, or form get ahead of ourselves. We won Game One, extremely proud of it. It is as far back in the rearview mirror for our players now as you can imagine, because after watching that tape, we all saw how much better we can get. We can coach better, we can call it better, we can play with better technique, better pad level, better fundamentals, we get in better shape. There's stuff all over the film that shows that we’ve got a lot to improve upon. We’re looking forward to doing that so that we can continue to push this program forward.
More on the FAMU matchup: They've got players from all over the country. 85% of that roster is from South Florida. A lot of those guys have gone off to play other places and come back to FAMU. Their quarterback, [Daniel] Richardson, I believe he's got the most yards in Dade County history as far as passing goes. He's an experienced guy. They're 2-0. They've had to come from behind a couple times this year to win the football game, but they do know how to win. They are very successful and have a winning tradition.
