Cristobal on Virginia Tech trip on Wednesday: "Great opportunity in a great environment"

A new game week has brought new challenges for Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes who have to find some way to reverse the tide of losing this week when they go on the road to Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech.

And part of that has been preparing for the atmosphere in Lane Stadium at Virginia Tech, including the pregame scene where the Hokies run onto the field in a raucous atmosphere as the crowd jumps up and down to  Metallica’s “Enter Sandman.” It is one of the more unique environments and experiences in college football.

“Any time you have an environment like this, you practice with noise and even sometimes when you’re not playing in an environment like this, you still practice for it anyway,” Cristobal said. “So it’s second nature by the time you get to it.

“They’ve got a great atmosphere, a lot of energy, a lot of enthusiasm. They play great at home, their defense causes a lot of issues and turnovers, their special teams set them up with good field position, and their offense is coming off one of their best games.  So it’s a great opportunity in a great environment. “

Cristobal said he has been pleased with Miami’s preparation for the Hokies, calling the week of practice “great.”

He is working hard to maintain a positive atmosphere amid Miami’s three game losing streak.

When the subject turned to pass defense, which has badly failed in the past two losses, Cristobal described his safeties as playing “positions that require a lot of mental gymnastics.” Miami has suffered from coverage busts including two critical bad decisions by Kinchens that led to two touchdowns in a game Miami lost by three points Saturday to North Carolina.

“I’m really proud of those guys,” Cristobal said of Kinchens and James Williams in particular. “They have made a lot of progress.

“You are looking at two guys who are a year and five games into their careers. They are very very young. For guys at that stage in their careers to take on the roles that they have is really impressive. It’s very hard to do. If something is not right, they have to make it right. That’s balancing a lot. Plus they also are playing on all special teams. Avantae (Williams) is starting to come along and has a really bright future.  I think the same of Al Blades. Brian Balom is another guy that stands out, has done some good stuff. Our safety group has done a really good job and is going to keep getting better.”

In injury news, Cristobal said Tyrique Stevenson is looking good to go this week along with center Jakai Clark. He said he didn’t have an update on whether Zion Nelson or Justice Oluwaseun will be able to play.

He and offensive line coach Alex Mirabal are obviously very focused on improving the play of the office of line which has taken a step back since Miami’s game at Texas A&M.

“It’s a combination of things,” Cristobal said. ”I think we’re out of sync in the run game. And I think obviously, we’ve got to always block better and move better and work on technique and fundamentals, especially when you’re getting some of the plus one stuff we have been getting with an extra guy in the box. You’re getting some pressure and some movement. And you got to get everybody in sync.

“It’s tied into your RPO game. It is designed to put certain guys in conflict, and we’ve been out of sync. But there is no I don’t think anyone’s in any way shape or form trying to deny the fact that we have to improve. We’ve got to find different ways to move the football. I mean, we’ve run just about every scheme in the book right? We’ve seen it – inside zone we’ve been strong. Same thing with the outside zone, the gap schemes, both power and counter sweeps and what not. And then last game we just we got hot with the passing game and we stuck with it. So we’re encouraged by some of the progress last game, certainly not the goal line stuff that has to improve dramatically. But some of the other stuff. We feel like we have been trying to get back on track to run the ball to our standards.”