Miami Hurricanes fall scrimmage No. 2 recap: Mario Cristobal shares his take, says still work to do
The Miami Hurricanes held their second fall scrimmage on Saturday afternoon. With LT Zion Nelson out and RBs TreVonte’ Citizen and Don Chaney injured, a big question mark was how a run offense that’s faltered at times in drills would fare.
After the day’s work ended, coach Mario Cristobal summed up his thoughts … and in keeping with his desire to have a lot of the work under the radar didn’t offer a lot of specifics.
CaneSport did hear some feedback, though, indicating that the receivers performed better and that even with the personnel losses the run game fared better as well. The first team defense also continues to impose its will.
Cristobal said after the 120 or so plays that “today we found out a lot about our team.”
The scrimmage went longer than originally planned. Cristobal explained that “We decided to keep playing today past what we originally dialed up because we have to get used to that.”
Cristobal said there were some big plays and others that weren’t converted, but didn’t single out any players.
He said overall there was “A lot of positive stuff, some other stuff we have to get better at. … We’ve increased our levels of physicality, toughness, resiliency, being able to finish, and the guys that really attacked the offseason it shows up in a big, positive way, The guys that quite don’t understand it and aren’t there, it exposes those guys.”
Cristobal called the offense “more efficient” in general but said while there were “some big plays” there also were “big drops.”
Cristobal also said while the team is competitive “we have work to do” and the offense needs to be more consistent.
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“We have to trust ourselves to run the playbook,” he said.
On defense, Cristobal said “we’re striking better, holding the point a little bit. In pass rush we’re holding edges better, getting rid of blockers. Our double team and double team recognition and reach block, man block, cut off block recognition has taken a drastic step up as well and we’re finishing plays a little bit better.”
Cristobal also said practicing in the Miami heat has to be something that Miami uses to its advantage. When other teams come to South Florida, there should be that built-in factor that gives UM an edge.
“A day like today when you’re in play 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 of a drive, the film is going to show who really is in game condition and who still has some work to do,” Cristobal said. “What really stood out is the competitive nature of our team is starting to show more and more. There are battles for significant roles, others still up in the air that will continue to next week.”
Schedule-wise, the team had a barbecue after the scrimmage. Tomorrow coaches will assess the team with a lift/film/walkthrough type things worked on.
Monday is a mandatory off day. Tuesday and Wednesday will be heavier days in pads, per Cristobal.
“We wont be working on first opponent yet, still have situational football we have to get better at, sprinkle in different exotic things we’ll see throughout the season.”
But Thursday/Friday the team will be rolling into game week preparations.
