Mario Cristobal, Miami Hurricanes players share thoughts after Spring Game that saw big plays in passing game, sacks aplenty

Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal saw his team finish its 15^th and final spring practice with a bang … in particular watching speedy freshman Ray Ray Joseph run past the defense for a 79-yard TD to end the Spring Game at DRV PNK Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale.

That was one of the highlights on both sides of the ball. Another big play freshman? That was Rueben Bain, who had three sacks.

“We set out to get a lot of competitive situations, did that, played physical in spurts, were successful in spurts on both sides of the ball,” Cristobal said.

Of Joseph, Cristobal said, “Tonight he showed a lot. You just see the catches, but you should see him block, throw his body around. The guy is really a tremendous competitor and elite, awesome, incredible human being.”

Cristobal singled out Rueben Bain, almost had a fourth sack in the scrimmage.

“The guy, he’s got a relentless motor, a ton of pride,” Cristobal said. “He’s extremely disruptive and very, very tough. The guy is going to get after somebody’s butt and he did tonight.”

Tyler Van Dyke was very impressive from the start. His first quarter stats? 11-for-16 for 145 yards with a TD to Jacolby George. He also threw a seven-yard third quarter TD to Brashard Smith.

“I thought it was good, definitely stuff to improve on,” Van Dyke said. “I’m going to get that figured out watching film, get it fixed.”

Cristobal’s take on Van Dyke’s play?

“He was sharp,” Cristobal said. “He continues to take ownership in the offense, get more and more comfortable with it. We have to get the ball out sometimes a little faster, protect a little bit better  and we got confused on a couple of formations and routes that  we had called,  had opportunities to make some big, big plays.”

Jacurri Brown ended the first half 5-for-11 for 44 yards without a TD drive; Emory Williams was 4-for-4 for 42 yards.

“(Williams) is a special football player, did a really good job,” Cristobal said. “Jacurri was off tonight, and I get it. That guy’s had an unbelievable spring. It’s a shame tonight didn’t go as we hoped it would go, but he had a good spring as well.”

Jacolby George added two TD catches, and Cristobal said “We need that.”

“He’s really had a good spring, continues to improve,” Cristobal said. “There is a change in him.”

Miami WR Xavier Restrepo also had three 20-yard plus catches from Tyler Van Dyke.

“The work we put in is all coming together,” Restrepo said.

The Miami D line had seven sacks despite missing several injured players: DT Leonard Taylor, DE Thomas Davis, DE Jahfari Harvey, DE Collins Acheampong, DT Branson Deen and DT Jared Harrison-Hunte.

“Toughness and resiliency from guys – they are not waiting for a starter to return,” Cristobal said. “Really proud of those guys.”

A standout on D was LB Francisco Mauigoa, who had several tackles, including a pair of tackles for losses.

“We improved a lot for the past few weeks,” Mauigoa said. “The culture has changed in the defense. This isn’t the 2023 defense. Coaches have prepared us really well. We’re going on the right path.”

S Kam Kinchens summed it all up, saying “I thought it went great. Made some plays on offense and defense.”

*Miami starting LG Javion Cohen was nicked up in pregame but Cristobal said, “He’s okay.”

“He’s had a great spring,” Cristobal said. “He’s good to go.”

OG Anez Cooper also was limited in his reps.

“He was available early on, but he had to be pulled,” Cristobal said.