Mario Cristobal evaluates quarterback play in preseason, where there's room for improvement

Mario Cristobal is excited about his quarterback play so far this offseason, but knows there is plenty of room to improve. That much was evident Saturday when Miami had its first fall scrimmage.

In an interview afterward, Cristobal said the offense showed flashes but needs to be more consistent to reach its goals this season. The coach made sure to be clear that extends for the entire team, not just the quarterbacks.

“We made explosive plays and showed our capability of making explosive plays,” Cristobal said. “Then we came up short on some that were there to be had. It was a breakdown at one position or another. It wasn’t just that we had a breakdown at quarterback. We had a breakdown at tight end, running back, offensive line at the process with the signal coming in. I think everyone took a turn today.”

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Tyler Van Dyke figures to start at quarterback during Mario Cristobal’s inaugural season after taking over for the final nine games of last year. There is plenty of optimism surrounding Van Dyke after he claimed ACC Rookie of the Year this past season while throwing for 2,931 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions. Behind him, the Hurricanes have a pair of freshmen in Jacurri Brown and Jake Garcia.

As Cristobal takes over for a Miami team coming off of a 7-5 finish this past season and looking to reclaim its place in the national conversation, he knows the rebuilding process won’t be easy. But the coach is happy to see his team taking small steps toward the goal, and is encouraging them to keep pushing.

“We spoke about it in the huddle,” the coach said. “There’s a lot of good things that have our trajectory going in the right direction, but as a team we’re not doing enough things to play at a consistently high level. Those are the things that tomorrow we’re gonna come in and focus on cleaning up. We know exactly what to do and we’re doing it that way, but it starts with taking care of our bodies.

“Right now after this week, it’s getting in those tubs and coolers and doing the right stuff. Coming in tomorrow, doing that yoga and all the treatment stuff they do. Get back to work. We’ve had some great guest speakers. They’re awesome. Strong messages right between the eyes and right in the heart. What we have to do is apply those things and make it real. When you’re sore, beat up and out of gas, you’ve gotta find the gas. Because the teams we’re playing against, they’ve got a lot of it.”

Miami will kick off the Cristobal era on Sept. 3 when it opens the season against Bethune-Cookman.