And So The Season Begins

It’s a moment that’s been months – some might say years – in the making.

When the Hurricanes take the field at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday afternoon for their season opener against in-state foe Bethune-Cookman, it will mark the start of a new era.

A talented quarterback will look to build on a remarkable rookie season. Some new faces will don orange and green for the first time. And a former two-time national champion offensive lineman will again run through Miami’s famed smoke, this time as his alma mater’s head coach.

But as special as that moment may be, Mario Cristobal insists it should not be about him. His focus, as it has been since he returned to Coral Gables last December, is on the 16th ranked Hurricanes – the players, the coaches and the staff that he wants to be in a position to succeed, not just on Saturday, but on every day that will follow, too.

“I think I’m the smallest part of this thing, as small as it could be,” Cristobal said this week. “It’s about making sure I’m doing all the things to make sure our players, our coaches, our administrators, our recruiting department, development department, you name it, analysts, everybody can do their job at the maximum level as we put together this game plan – which is already in place and we’ve practiced for a couple of days – so we can operate at a really high level and always get the players the best chance to be successful.

“I have to make sure I do my job and stay in my job and make sure we get to game day and work through the game and beyond, so again, we can have the best chance to always come out 1-0. I’m simple. And boring. You don’t have to worry about me getting caught up in anything.”

The Hurricanes have already learned first-hand how process-oriented and driven their coach is.

Shortly after taking the reins of Miami’s program, Cristobal put together a top-notch coaching staff that includes the likes of 38-year coaching veteran Kevin Steele as defensive coordinator, 2021 Broyles Award winner Josh Gattis as offensive coordinator, three-time national championship coach Charlie Strong as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach and veterans Alex Mirabal and Joe Salave’a as offensive line coach and defensive line coach, respectively.

He helped bring former Stanley Cup winner Eric Renaghan to Coral Gables to work with strength and conditioning coordinator Aaron Feld as the head of Miami’s new sports science department. He added Pro Football Hall of Famer and Miami Dolphins legend Jason Taylor as an analyst. And he has worked closely with Hurricanes great Alonzo Highsmith, who returned to his alma mater earlier this year to work as Miami’s general manager of football operations after more than two decades of working in the NFL.

All of that knowledge, experience, and know-how – combined with their coach’s drive – will make a difference this season, the Hurricanes say.

“He’s going to make sure everybody’s in line,” sophomore safety Kamren Kinchens said of Cristobal. “He just brings the energy. It may come off serious to most people, but it just comes off as great energy to us. That’s what we know we need behind us. It has everybody going. After he gives any speech, we’re ready to run through a wall for him."

Junior cornerback Tyrique Stevenson said, “It’s nothing but love that [Cristobal] has for this program. All the practices that he puts himself into and everything that came behind him. I feel like it’s love and I feel like that’s the main reason he’s so serious and on top of everything. He wants everything to be a certain way because he knows how this organization is and he knows what this organization means, what it means to the world. I think it’s just his love for the University and everything, just to have him locked in and always going.”

And Saturday will be the Hurricanes’ first opportunity to see just how much they’ve grown over the course of the last 10 months, a stretch that has included offseason workouts, spring drills and most recently, fall camp.

Miami’s offense will be led by quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, the reigning ACC Rookie of the Year who, last season, threw for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns in six straight games before finishing the year with 2,931 passing yards and 25 touchdowns.

Comments

[AeroCane]

Nice article
A lot of optimism from me! We will see
Go canes

[HerbieIbis]

Well, I believe a 52-7 beat down is in order.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Gameday Is Here Canespace Family.
Miami 66
Bethune Cookman 7!
Everyone should play including the Walkons!

[Harry Miller]

How things change. back in December seams quite a few of you were saying that Christobal was blowing it because he was not getting coaches that were needed soon enough. You had no patience, no faith and no idea what he was doing behind the scenes.

Fast forward, now that we have the best coaching Staff in the country and most likely a top 10 recruiting class it looks like Coach Cristobal has gained your complete confidence.

How things change.

[CGNC]

One of your best articles 86. Let's Go Canes
Game is on ACC Network at 3:30 BTW

[HerbieIbis]

Harry, I think that is only a natural reaction for us guys that are impatient.
I just hope Gattis doesn't hold Van Dyke back.
We'll see by game 3 if he is clicking with him.

[JCane]

Tyler Williams, 4 star WR, flipped Ole Miss visit to see the U. Odds are still low, but now better. Definitely a position of need.

I'll go with 45-10. Opening game and a few kinks to work out. Anyone think VT needs to get ODU off their schedule? ;)

[Sarasota 'cane]

Reminder: First post at 3:30pm wins the drawing! The rules are on the previous blog.

Go ‘canes!

[VA Cane]

Good morning spacers hope you all are well. This is exciting to see a plan come together, and I look forward to seeing them on the field on the ACC Network...finally on Comcast...CGNCPa....she is always on her game eh?

While I expect to win this one, I am not putting too much emphasis on it....we are supposed to win this one. I will be looking at the basics....you know me...how do we execute the blocking tackling throwing catching protecting the ball...and QB...special teams need to be sharp game 1...cause they are a big key to great teams.
I will also look at conditioning ...how they look and act. A huge factor to me with conditioning is penalties...get tired get lazy and disinterested....you grab hold jump etc....and hand in hand goes attitude....how bad do you want to succeed this season...does all the hoopla that has occurred in Miami add up....how do the coaches act?

Its only BC but to me it is a start in the making

...that really began 19 years ago....on the floor of Sun Devil Stadium...and while it was a tough call....we should have bounced back the next year with a vengeance....we began one of the most historic falls in history....we quit! Over a Call!!!

I read an article about the great ST26....maybe our greatest player ever!.....a wise man...On the contrary, Miami safety Sean Taylor dismissed the call's influence, stating, "Officials make the calls. That wasn't a turning point. We should have never been in that position."...damn right!

Amen 2 picks by KD11...and a fumble....and 2 more fumbles 6 penalties for 30 yards..sounds like my Fundamentals sermon dont it? Cannot win that way!

So off we go....its time...will be looking for good things...small things add up to the big picture on the big stage....I'm ready...how bout Yall????!!!!!

Time to go folks...go Canes!!!

[CGNC]

Hi Va! I am off to the gym pregame to make sure my fundamentals are on point! C-A-N-E-S Canes!

[Sarasota 'cane]

North Carolina down 7 in a trap game against Appalachia State. App State is a program killer. With a 12 team playoff I wouldn’t be surprised if you see them break through once in a while.

[Sarasota 'cane]

East Carolina is also a trap game for NC State. ECU always punches above their weight in big games as we ‘cane fan’s can attest to!
ECU up 7 early.

[Sarasota 'cane]

Holy shiz Old Dominion beat VT last night. That’s cray cray!

[Sarasota 'cane]

I’m sitting on the couch watching football and eating a sub…which is kinda like going to the gym for me…

[Harry Miller]

I just signup for ESPN+ so I can watch the game, I hope. It sucks to live in California.

[Harry Miller]

We need the next two Backup QB's to get playing time along with other backup's getting playing time.
We don't need to score 70 points.meeting the spred will work.

[Harry Miller]

Let's go Canes.

[Harry Miller]

To late

[Sarasota 'cane]

Will ESPN+ give you the game?

[Harry Miller]

Yes, I have the game

[Sarasota 'cane]

Harry you won the tumbler. Send Soup your address and I’ll send you the tumbler.

[VA Cane]

so we get a TD....then a pick....and kid spikes it...this is what I am talking about...get your head out of your AZZ! Thinking and awareness are fundamentals!!!!!! The most important ones!!!!

...announcer says oh you should just give the kid a warning..first game young kid.....another woke dumbass who does not know what hes talking about!!!
Thats the rule no show boating spiking etc!!!! We got to get rid of that shytt!!! Get a TO....and move on!
So glad that TO chain is gone....it was cheap bling no matter how many jewels in it!

We will get it right...did you see Mario chewing on the whole D.....he did it last year when and Oregon kid did something dumb!!! CMC dont tolerate stupidity!!!!
Nice nice pick....just got to think a bit more...or get chomped on by Mario!
Not a bad start!

[VA Cane]

Congrats Harry you will love it!!!!!
I love mine they are nice!

[Harry Miller]

Thay's great, I have really wanted to win the Tumbler.

[YooperCane]

The O looks really good! What do you all think of the D so far? I’m thinking that the D will start gelling as the game goes on. I’m so happy to see the support of the fans at the Hard Rock! It’s been a super long time since I have seen fans pack the Rock against a team like Bethune.

[VA Cane]

Offense looks good...like the run game....do not like center getting hurt....concern fiore OL but so far so good!

D looks a little weak...BC cannot be that good....little slow to react off the ball....DL not getting quick push...need use hands more get free get QB!!!!

This is new so it will get better!

[Sarasota 'cane]

Harry do you want the Ibis tumbler or the U logo tumbler?

[YooperCane]

VA, spot on! Good that we have two games to get things ironed out before we meet Jimbo and crew!

[VA Cane]

some nice plays but still have to think....on that long QB run...we get pressure up the middle...right on QB...99 comes inside after initial pressure and he gets outside for a big gain...99...you always have help INSIDE....you force him inside...if they dont make the play you DID your job....but coming in gives him the outside and he gains a bunch....99 is Elijah Roberts....he is intense...but a little fat...got a dunlop tire...it done loped over his belt...lose that gut and think dude!

blown coverage on that one 4 tried to jump the route.....missed badly....5 plays of 20 or more yards...by BC....dont care if its Little Sisters of The Poor.....too many long plays....I'm seeing a little old Miami....not thinking not executing....
sorry...just the coach in me!!!!

[Terrance Sullivan]

Preach VA

[VA Cane]

T Sully...there are things to clean up....but I swear....they are playing with enthusiasm....not seen in...well....19 years....I like the enthusiasm....you cannot coach it or teach it...its gotta be in the kids heart....I think CMC has got the fear of God in them....but at the same time...they want to play for him and each other....Thats how you win!!!!

Long way to go....but you got to love what you see!!!!

[VA Cane]

I take TVD out....he dont need no more action....get others in ....protect your starters!!!!

Maybe let him go another series and score...then rest!!!

[AeroCane]

Flagg and Ivey are still huge liabilities
The 2 transfers (Johnson and porter) need to really step up and take their spots!
I would like TVD to play 1 more series and I want to see some deep passes to outside receivers (it’s important for confidence and recruiting)

[VA Cane]

Too many outside runs no damn contain....terrible...
fumbles....beat deep....ooooopps.....same UM football.....now a PI....going backwards!!!!

[VA Cane]

Nice start....lot to improve on!

[Harry Miller]

Sarasota, the Ibis tumbler, not sure what they look like,

I always liked that bird. The last to leave when Hurricane hits and the first to come back home.

[MLALUMNI1970_]

Great game. Like old times. Had to up my Xfinity subscription by $20 per month. But it was so worth it. It looks like the players like to play for Mario. Hard Rock was filled, which is hard to do. Made me proud to be a Cane.❤️ I am watching Ohio State and Notre Dame. Makes me happy and proud, since I never, ever liked Ohio State. And, my dear, late father, graduated from Notre Dame, undergraduate and law school. And his only brother graduated from West Point and Notre Dame law school. Two very special and smart men. Enough of that.
GO CANES!❤️ BEAT ALL OF THEM!❤️

[58 Straight]

We scored 70!

[58 Straight]

Wrap it up, I'll take it.

[58 Straight]

Defense needs to tighten up a notch or 5.

[Terrance Sullivan]

The Things I wanted to see happen in this Game Happened! Go Canes!

[CGNC]

Wrap it up, I'll take it.

Posted by: 58 Straight | September 03, 2022 at 10:40 PM

Me too. I will put it in a box and wrap it for you :)

Going to order my TVD jersey.

[HerbieIbis]

Didn't see the game but it sounds like the same old Dee, still hanging with the chunk brothers.
I think I read where they gave up 6 plays of 20 yes or more, well in today's game with all these spread offenses, that may be close to the average, passing anyway. No excuse in the run Dee.

[Sarasota 'cane]

25 minute condensed replay of yesterday’s game. ACCN on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/cqCTwlWs4ks

[MLALUMNI1970]

On to the next game, whether it is a fluff game or not. I just hope that the injuries are mild and not serious. Football is a very tough sport, but they play it, for their future and making some money.
I know Ken Dorsey is the Offensive Coordinator for the Bills, but it would have been nice to come back to camp, even for just one day.
On to next week!❤️Love my CANES
Hi Tom Hope you are doing well and pleased with our Canes.❤️

[nemo2020]

Defense needs to tighten up a notch or 5.

Posted by: 58 Straight | September 03, 2022 at 10:40 PM

Yeah!

[YooperCane]

Watching FSU last night and how both offense and the Defense played was good. LSU played a very undisciplined game. I hope that our defense gets their shit together and quick. I feel that from what I seen last night that FSU defense looks way ahead of ours based on that game last night.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Game Week 2: Top Five Things To Accomplish:
1. Win by at least 40
2. Stay Healthy
3. Continue Strong Run Game/OL Play/RB Play
4. Continue to Improve DL and Tackling on Defense
5. Continue Strong Special Teams Play.

[AeroCane]

TSully
I agree and for me I’ll add 4 more:
Throw to the outside receivers;
No Flagg;
No Ivey;
Stop the short pass over the middle;

[KYcane]

Stop the short pass over the middle;
Posted by: AeroCane | September 05, 2022 at 03:01 PM

Now there’s a novel idea that’s years overdue