Mario Cristobal on Cam McCormick scoring Miami's first TD: 'I don't think anybody expected that'

Head coach Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes put up 41 points in the team’s opener against the Florida Gators. However, it was a bit of a surprise when tight end Cam McCormick scored Miami’s first touchdown.

After the game, Cristobal admitted that he doesn’t think anybody saw that coming. He’s probably right too, with that being McCormick’s first touchdown since the 2022 season.

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“I don’t think anybody expected that, right,” Mario Cristobal said. “That was the winning ticket in Las Vegas for somebody that Cam was gonna score the first touchdown for the Miami Hurricanes this year.”

Cam McCormick is now in his ninth year of college football. He spent the first seven seasons of his career with the Oregon Ducks. While there, he battled injuries. He had four seasons where he played two or fewer games due to injury. In 2022, he played his first full season since 2017 while with the Ducks and won the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award in the process. In 2023, he’d transfer to Miami.

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“You know, what he’s been through. Maybe one day you could take some time to do a story. Maybe you have a story on what he’s actually been through, physically, and some of the surgical procedures he has had to be able to be able to be where he’s at. He’s 100% healthy. I mean, like better than ever. But to get here, he’s been through a lot. So, a completely unselfish, hardworking, real deal human being who shows up every day and brings it,” Cristobal said.

“So, awesome to, you know, at his age, you know, getting hit over and popping over backwards. I was a little worried about him, but, the guy is awesome and glad he started off the season that way.”

Mario Cristobal and Cam McCormick have a long relationship that goes back to when Cristobal became the Oregon co-offensive coordinator in 2017 and the head coach in 2018. With that, Cristobal has seen him overcome those setbacks and made the moment that much more special.

“I don’t smile often, and it brings a smile to your face. Imagine your own son going through all that stuff like he did,” Cristobal said.

“But again, to go through it and complain, as opposed to go through it and do what he does, bring it every single day and make people around him better. That guy is going to be successful in everything he does in life. I think he will be a great NFL player as well. He’s just got the super bright future and is a great mentor, an absolutely awesome mentor to young players.”

The touchdown catch was the only reception that Cam McCormick had on the day. It was his 43rd college game. He now has 27 receptions for 240 yards and five touchdowns.