Mario Cristobal says Miami needs to 'flip the script' in physical game vs. Rutgers

Miami did not get off to an ideal start in the Pinstripe Bowl vs. Rutgers, trailing 7-0 after running just five plays in the first quarter.

To open the second quarter, ESPN’s Taylor Davis found Miami head coach Mario Cristobal on the sideline to ask about the first 15 minutes of action.

His big focus so far is holding down the Rutgers rush attack after running back Kyle Monangai nearly ran for 50 yards on the first drive alone, which helped the Scarlet Knights strike first with a touchdown.

“Well, we got to stop the run, first of all,” commented Cristobal. “You know, they’re doing a good job at the line of scrimmage and they’re running through tackles. We need to do a better job of getting our pads down and knocking them back.”

Then, offensively, Cristobal wants to see his team get more chances. So far, Rutgers is controlling the ball and game script exactly like they hoped.

“On offense, we got the ball one time. That’s what they want to do. So right now, we’re playing into their hands. We got to flip the script. We got to take the ball, take control of the line of scrimmage.”

Just after Mario Cristobal wrapped up those comments, Miami’s defensive front blew up the next Rutgers play to force a fumble that fell right into a Hurricane player’s hands but then bounced back onto the ground, where Rutgers recovered. Still, it was a sign of Miami taking control up front, which their head coach just stressed.

Such good fortune didn’t last, and the next few sequences were much like the first half. When Miami got the ball backs still down 7-0, backup quarterback Jacurri Brown tossed an interception, and Rutgers took full advantage. They drove right down into the red zone and none other than Kyle Monangai punched in another TD to push the lead to 14-0.

Of course, Miami is working at a bit of a disadvantage not having their starting quarterback for most of the year, Tyler Van Dyke, available for the bowl game, since he already transferred away. Meanwhile, the Knights obviously have a star playing in Monangai but also have their QB participating in Gavin Wimsatt.

Luckily, though, Miami was able to get on the board in the first half when that reserve QB, Brown, found the end zone with his legs to slice the lead in half and get the Hurricnes some must-needed momentum.