Mario Cristobal ‘pissed’ after controversial decision on potential safety

Mario Cristobal led the Miami Hurricanes into Tallahassee and nearly pulled off an upset over the Florida State Seminoles. In a one-score game, something small like a safety could have changed the course of the game.

Of course, Miami nearly sacked Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis in the end zone. Many people, especially Hurricanes fans, would even argue that it was a safety. However, even after a review, the ruling was that he wasn’t behind the goal line.

Should this have been called a safety? 🤔pic.twitter.com/D9qFLqmgpe

— On3 (@On3sports) November 11, 2023

After the game, Mario Cristobal explained how upset he was after that controversial decision.

“Zero, zero, zero explanation,” Mario Cristobal said while tapping his hand. “None. Second time. So, hopefully, the broadcasters got a good view of it.”

Jordan Travis certainly landed in the end zone. When he did, the ball certainly looked like it was also in the end zone. However, it was ruled that not the entirety of the ball was behind the goal line, which meant that it wasn’t a safety.

“I’ll answer any questions. I’m good,” Mario Cristobal said. “Am I pissed? Of course, I’m pissed.”

With the loss, Miami fell to 6-4 on the season and just 2-4 in ACC play. With two games remaining, the Hurricanes are set to take on Louisville and Boston College, both of whom are bowl eligible with the Cardinals likely playing in the conference title game.

Miami did suffer a major loss during the game. After making the decision to start freshman quarterback Emory Williams in place of Tyler Van Dyke, Williams went down with an injury. It looked severe, with Williams leaving the game with an air cast on his arm. That forced Van Dyke back into the game and will likely force Van Dyke into the starting role again for the remainder of the season.

Mario Cristobal was livid during the game

Even during the game itself, Mario Cristobal was obviously furious during the game. ABC’s Molly McGrath, who spoke with Cristobal, explained that he swore when asked about the safety and was emotional about the officiating throughout the game.

“Well, Sean, I asked Mario Cristobal about that non-call on the apparent safety at the end of the half,” McGrath said.

“He immediately started yelling expletives. He was very emotional saying there were two calls in the first half that felt unfair to him. But he said his team….He said the key to success for them was running the ball well.”

It’s impossible to say that the safety would have changed the outcome of the game. However, it’s hard to say it wouldn’t have gone a long way for Miami.