Mario Cristobal discusses improvement in run game

In the first half of the 2022 season, Miami has struggled on the offensive side of the ball. However, against Virginia Tech, Mario Cristobal saw improvement in his team’s running game. The Hurricanes had better than 100 yards on the ground. This comes after only gaining 42 yards against North Carolina and 60 yards against Middle Tennessee in Miami’s previous two games.

While speaking to the media, Mario Cristobal discussed the running game and what he’s seen from that unit in recent weeks and against Virginia Tech.

“A couple things,” Mario Cristobal said. “Number one, I think we resolved our short yardage issues. Right, we made all those today that you said.”

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“Jacurri Brown was awesome. He almost busted a ginormous run as well. He got tackled from behind. And, then we did have some moments in the run game.”

Mario Cristobal explained how an improving run game is going to open up the passing game. In particular, when Miami runs its RPO game. If the focus is on stopping the run, it should create passing lanes. Of course, this means that Miami will pass more and the rushing numbers might not be as strong.

“Now, they’re squeezing out. Now, they’re playing man. At the end of the day, forced Tyler [Van Dyke] to keep the ball. Either he keeps the ball or you’re getting smashed up. They were putting plus one in the box. So, there were some moments in this game where we did a little bit better, and some other ones where obviously we have to improve upon.”

Miami is just 78th in the country in rushing at 143.8 yards per game. That includes a massive 305-yard rushing performance against FCS Bethune-Cookman. Without it, the Hurricanes would be at just 111.6 yards per game. For the sake of Tyler Van Dyke and the passing attack, they need to find some balance here.

Mario Cristobal on how Miami started against Virginia Tech

One thing Miami has struggled with is starting quickly in games this season. It takes the team a little while to get going. However, they got rolling quicker than normal against Virginia Tech and Mario Cristobal praised his team’s performance at halftime.

“No. 1, we’ve done a really good job against the run after we got settled. We had to force a turnover to do that. They were marching the ball right down the field. Turnovers change the momentum, we’ve gotten pressure on the quarterback. We’re playing good defense,” Mario Cristobal said.

“They came out with a purpose. They came out with intentions to come out there and play fast, play hard. … Had a lot of guys who stepped up. We’ve got to eliminate the penalties and we can do even better.”