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Young Canes defensive star Rueben Bain, Jr. has grown up in the shadow of this storied rivalry between Miami and Florida State. During today's media availability, Bain opened up about his journey from a childhood spectator to being a key player in the upcoming game.
With a gleam in his eye, Bain recounted his history with the rivalry. "I've been growing up watching [the game]. My cousin played in it; I was always watching the games. I was at the games, so I was always in the environment. Now I get the chance of playing in it; it's something I’ve been looking forward to. It's amazing," Bain expressed with a palpable fervor.
Bain also touched on the influence such a big game has on recruits, noting that while wins and losses can sway decisions, his personal path was about finding the right fit, which he found at Miami. He shared, "It checked all the checkpoints for me off my board, and I just sat down with my family; we all agreed that this is the best spot for me."
When asked about the atmosphere at games in Tallahassee, Bain's respect for the venue was clear. He reminisced about his time playing there in a state championship game and witnessing the thrilling action firsthand. "The atmosphere [is] definitely amazing. It's just something I'm looking forward to playing in," said Bain, highlighting the electric environment that awaits.
Bain's connection to the rivalry extends beyond the football field; it is interwoven with family traditions and childhood memories. He chuckled as he remembered dressing up in gear, depending on which sideline he was on, "Yeah, depending on what side I was on, definitely did."
The conversation turned to the pressure from fans, especially on social media, where the sentiment can sometimes turn harsh. Bain's approach is straightforward and mature beyond his years. "Me personally, I stay off all social media. I'm not too big on that, especially like looking at myself or something like that," Bain stated, emphasizing the team's inner solidarity, " with Tyler, we just love him up. That's our quarterback; we're always going to stick beside him."
On the defensive side, Bain affirmed that regardless of the offense's performance, their mentality remains unchanged. "We approach every week the same, every play the same, really. We're just looking forward to three and outs and getting the ball back to the offense," Bain confidently declared, showing his trust in the team's system and coaching.
Delving into the technical aspects, Bain was asked about the complexities of defensive coordinator Lance Guidry’s schemes. "It's a little bit of both," he said, "It was a little challenging coming in to learn the plays, but once I got the hang of it, I felt like I was flying through the playbook."
Finally, reflecting on his journey during the up and down season for the Canes, Bain spoke on the unity and resilience among the freshman class amidst a challenging season. "It's football; you're going to win some, you're going to lose some... if you lose, it's not the end of the world. You've got next week to look forward to, a new opportunity."
