- 10 hours ago
The head coach of the Miami Dolphins joins Joe following Saturday's drubbing of Clemson
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00:04Joe, it's time to head out to the Toyota of Hollywood hotline shop over 2,000.
00:08Toyota's on sale, one location, Toyota of Hollywood on 441.
00:11We do in Hollywood and Sheridan, Toyotaofhollywood.com.
00:14All right, the country got to see it Saturday night, man,
00:17and it was fun to watch from start to finish,
00:20especially the way the Canes closed it out with a 41-13 win at Clemson.
00:265-0 on the season, 3-0 in ACC play with a little bye week
00:30and a lot to talk about with the head coach, Mario Cristobal, who joins us this morning.
00:35Coach, congratulations on the win, man.
00:38It had to feel good, especially the way you guys closed it out.
00:42Good morning, Joe. Glad you're up and at it today. Glad to see you working.
00:46Yeah, I flew home. I flew home, but I wasn't missing this one, Coach.
00:50No, no, I wasn't missing this one.
00:51So, yeah. Hey, getting back to a couple of those drives that you put together,
00:58I know I'm going to get to one specifically.
01:01Nine plays all runs, and you run off like six minutes
01:04and end it with a fletched touchdown run.
01:08I just thought, like the announcers did, that was like, okay, you proved your point.
01:14And I know that's your style of play you really like to play with.
01:18You know what? Proud of our guys, Joe. That was an awesome environment, a great test.
01:22They have a lot of great players, really good win, and a lot of really good physical play.
01:26And a lot of guys that hadn't played much ball before was their time,
01:29and there was no flinch in them.
01:31You know, I think everything that we practice and preach on Green Tree Practice Field,
01:34I think that showed up out there at Death Valley.
01:36Yeah, and, you know, Malachi, you know, everybody's –
01:39we're getting spoiled 12 catches, it seemed like, every game.
01:42And I like the way everybody kind of got involved in this one.
01:47Mensa to Barkate, especially on that fade throw down the sideline,
01:51was just an absolutely gorgeous throw to the back shoulder.
01:54And Barkate also has a nice long run for you, and those guys had great chemistry.
01:59It was kind of good to see them get going a little bit, too, there early on.
02:03Yeah, the ball was spread around really, really well.
02:06A shame that we, again, our own damn fault, you know,
02:09being an illegal motion on a great check by Mensa to Mally.
02:14And also important to know, you know, Malachi forced a couple of holding calls as well.
02:17Those were as good as receptions on what were going to be some chunk play.
02:20So, all in all, just, again, really, really good job playing complimentary football, man,
02:26and just keeping everything and just laser focus on the task at hand and just executing.
02:32Well, listen, you got a bye week, and it looks like before we get into more of the game,
02:35it just looks like this is a great time to have it.
02:39You had a couple of guys go out of the game on the offensive line,
02:42your right side, actually, with McCoy and Buchanan, and you get them back.
02:47But you talked about, and I don't always agree with that flexibility of that guard
02:52and center and center and guard and tackle, but, boy, I see where it really pays off
02:56in a game like this where a couple of guys go down and they're starters on your right side.
03:02Yeah, you know, I think it would be good one day to get you with Coach Mirabal
03:05and talk through all the different things that he does.
03:08No, I'm serious, though, because, for example, like right now, Samson is an awesome left tackle,
03:14but he had acquired a different, you know, he had to sharpen parts of his skill sets
03:19that required him to get blunted right in the teeth by a three technique, playing guard.
03:23He had to, you know, experience the rigors of taking on those massive bodies inside
03:28while he worked his way back outside to take on the quicker, twitchier, longer, you know,
03:33body types and work the timing of the passing game and protection.
03:36So, it does, there is a method to the madness.
03:40There's a rhyme and a reason, and, you know, we're starting to really see it pay off.
03:44All right, so this is always a good one.
03:48McCoy, Buchanan, and Marquise Lightfoot, who has really stepped it up.
03:52Are those guys going to be okay?
03:54You expect everybody to be pretty healthy and maybe get some more guys back for that Florida State game?
04:00Well, we'll see.
04:01You know, I mean, they're going to be evaluated throughout the course of the week.
04:03I mean, they certainly, you know, they went back in the game except for Marquise.
04:07And there were a couple guys that ended up not playing that we do expect back as well.
04:11But, you know, let's see what this week does, man.
04:14We're working at it.
04:14We're in the training room day and night.
04:16And it's a great time for a bye week.
04:19Wish I had about six of them in a row, but it is what it is.
04:22Let's roll.
04:22Yeah.
04:23No, no, that's the way the schedule is.
04:24So, let's talk about those three freshmen.
04:26J.J. Dunnegan picked six at the end of the game.
04:30Mallory, wow.
04:31He looks like a different guy running from day one.
04:34And I know you got to see it during camp and his improvement.
04:37I heard the other guys on the team talking about it.
04:40And then Ben Cognon also getting the start at left guard.
04:44Can you just talk about those three guys and how they've come along to playing a big game like that
04:49and really make a difference?
04:51The best way to describe them, they embody, you know, the Miami Hurricane DNA.
04:55Those guys came in here with the right mentality.
04:59And their maturity in the process, as I go with being a contributor, being a player, they're on point, man.
05:05You know, they took note during the playoffs last year of the older guys doing it the way it's supposed
05:09to be done.
05:10That's what they do.
05:10And they're a great example for the other freshmen, though.
05:13Yeah.
05:13It's kicking the butt, like, that's what it's supposed to look like.
05:16That's how you play as a freshman.
05:18It's not your talent level.
05:19It's your level of maturity and commitment and dedication to preparing the right way.
05:24And these guys, you saw them, Joe.
05:26There was no flinch in them.
05:27Zero.
05:27And they all played a huge role in getting things done, man.
05:32But it's three straight years.
05:33Three straight years where we have freshmen contributing at a really high level.
05:37Yeah.
05:38And, you know, it's funny.
05:39You hear about certain guys and then to see it happen in spring and you're going, ah, he's getting a
05:45little closer.
05:45But he's got to go through summer camp now.
05:48And a lot of guys are going to be coming back from injury.
05:50And like you said, those guys have just not backed down.
05:54So two guys that really having them back.
05:58And I just see it.
05:59The leadership and what they bring and what they've done.
06:03Fletcher and Moten having those guys back and the way they play.
06:07And Moten makes this unbelievable play, an effort play to free up the ball.
06:12And Fletch coming back with some big physical runs just really makes a difference for those young guys, doesn't it?
06:19Well, you know, Moten was here last time we were up at Death Valley.
06:22And, you know, we got beat pretty good.
06:24So, you know, those things, you remember those things.
06:27And having him back, you know, obviously, you know, he's a great player.
06:31And just does a great job with his teammates.
06:33And he prepared.
06:34And you know what?
06:35But he's really good at getting that ball out.
06:37And then you look at Fletcher, the level of physicality and leadership that comes with him.
06:41And it comes with Moten.
06:43Those guys are awesome.
06:44And they are, you know, they came back to Miami for a reason this year.
06:48And they're making it count.
06:51Damon Wilson has really, and even his body and his movement, he just looks like he's got more.
06:59Not only confidence, obviously, he's been a good player where he was before.
07:03But, well, I'll tell you what, I love this bend and his pass rushing was just two and a half
07:07sacks in the game.
07:08I thought overall the whole group of pass rushers was really strong there.
07:13Yeah, without doubt.
07:14I mean, played with great effort, high motor, continually harassed the quarterback.
07:18We're there in position for another dozen sacks.
07:21So, we'll keep working that.
07:22But, you know, Reynolds is a hell of a player.
07:24And, Joe, they've got a hell of a team now.
07:26I mean, they have a lot of high-end talent.
07:28They've got a really good scheme, good coaches.
07:30You mentioned some guys that did really, really well.
07:32You mentioned Moten, who did a great job.
07:34You mentioned, I think, Blunt, who came back and played for us as well.
07:37And I also want to mention Chase Smith and Motore, because those two guys really, really physical, set the tone,
07:44and made some massive plays, massive, like, tone-setting plays in terms of knocking the opponent back.
07:49You know, it's funny, but it's not funny.
07:52The running game, seen at 35 carries, almost 200 yards and three touchdowns.
07:57The run defense on the other side, the game's never going to change, right?
08:01The line of scrimmage is always going to be number one.
08:04Run D, 31 carries, 55 yards, a 1.8 average.
08:09The Canes defense for wondering what it was going to look like after what they did to Cal last week.
08:15You had to be pretty excited about the line of scrimmage on both sides, huh?
08:19We were.
08:19You know, a lot of progress.
08:21You know, we knew it was a challenge.
08:22They hadn't allowed a touchdown in, I believe, 20 drives or something like that.
08:25And I thought that, you know, like you mentioned, it always comes down to the line of scrimmage in some
08:31way, shape, or form.
08:32And you always got to find ways to win.
08:33Don't get me wrong.
08:34If you got to chuck it 50 times, it is what it is.
08:36But certainly, in more times than not, in these real, you know, heavyweight matchups, the line of scrimmage reigns supreme.
08:44So the Canes offense, and I said this last week, it happens in every game.
08:48There's going to be a point where the big most starts to switch, and one side of the football might
08:53struggle a little bit.
08:54And then if you have a good team, the other side will pick it up a little bit.
08:58And the offense went through just a little tad there, and the Canes defense said, don't worry.
09:02We're going to keep them out of the end zone, and then you got that offense going again.
09:07I just thought the way you guys have been complimenting each other against Wake Forest, and now this game, even
09:12more so, was really impressive.
09:16Yeah, I mean, it's a special group of guys.
09:19They love winning, and they are, I think this group really understands that nothing could ever get in the way
09:24of being 1-0.
09:25But the defense, I believe, the offense scored on three of its first four positions.
09:30The defense, I believe, forced punts on four of the first six possessions, allowed only two field goals in the
09:35first half.
09:36And I think all that still set the tone for the second half.
09:39We went in there with a lot of confidence.
09:41Some guys were banged up, but, you know, you always look at, right, the eyes never lie.
09:45Everybody had the right look in their eye.
09:46The focus was strong.
09:48We knew we were playing a really good team, and a team that had tremendous success in the second half.
09:52We knew that that was going to be their best punch, their best shot, and our guys responded really well.
09:58Yeah, you know, it's funny, because they were talking about payback.
10:03And, Mauro, in the back of your mind, do you remember games from a few years ago where it was
10:07a lot different, and they got after you pretty good?
10:11Is that something that always sticks with you or not?
10:13Joe, I remember everything.
10:15I just don't like talking about it.
10:17I don't like creating narratives or Hollywood scripts and movies.
10:20I really don't want any attention.
10:21I couldn't give a rat's you-know-what about attention.
10:24I really don't want it.
10:25I just – we have our processes.
10:27We talk behind closed doors.
10:28We set, you know, our themes.
10:31We set our messaging.
10:33And we go deep and hard, man.
10:35We, like, make sure that everything we're doing is meaningful, and it has a lot of juice and substance to
10:40it.
10:41But we never disclose that, because then, you know, in a world where there's so much intrusion, right, as it
10:47relates to the ball and the media, we'd rather just, you know, do the work and, you know what, and
10:53just get it done.
10:55We've gone through painful steps before.
10:57We know that, and whatever we've got to use, we use it.
11:00You know, you have done – honestly, and we were talking about this at dinner Saturday night.
11:05There's been a lot of talk from a lot of coaches and former coaches about this is a – you
11:11stayed out all of it, and you've always said the system is what it is.
11:14We're going to play it, and if that's what they're going to allow, then I'm going to make sure I'm
11:18really good at it, but I'm not going to get after and point fingers at other people or the system.
11:24And you really haven't, Maura.
11:26You've stayed away from that and stuff that can give anybody bulletin board material.
11:32Well, you know, it's adapt or die, brother.
11:34It's that simple, and it's an ever-changing world and college football landscape, so I don't need a microphone or
11:42a soapbox, man.
11:43And, you know, just give me our dudes, our coaches, blessed to be around the best human beings, best competitors
11:48on the planet, and we love what we do.
11:50So let's just shut up, and let's work, and let's get better.
11:53You know, the other thing is you seem to have a lot of guys that are kind of old school.
11:58Like, they get banged up.
11:59They want to come back in.
12:00They're not like, ah, I'm going to stay out.
12:02I'll be back.
12:03We're going to win this game.
12:05I'm going to be good.
12:06I'm going to get that bye week, and we'll have Florida Stug get a little time to get a little
12:09healthier.
12:10Man, you got guys with makeup that, like, their guys come out of the game and go, wow, they're done,
12:15and they come back and play.
12:18One of our biggest goals of training camp is to become a more callous football team, and you also –
12:25there's a very clear line between being injured and hurting.
12:29You're right.
12:29And it's our duty and obligation to prepare these players for what – this is their life.
12:34They choose.
12:35It comes with it.
12:36At the next level, Joe, you know it better than anybody.
12:38And sometimes you got to just, you know, bite down on the mouthpiece a little bit harder, and you got
12:42to roll, man, you know, because that's the expectation.
12:45And if a guy – if that's on the other side where a guy's injured, we don't let him go,
12:48you know?
12:49But there is – you know what it is, man.
12:51Ball is ball, and it's been that way for how many years?
12:54We're going to sit down 150, 175, I forget.
12:57You know, we're very blessed to have real-deal competitors that, you know, winning means the world to them.
13:04So, as you look back now, you had a chance to really evaluate the tape and what you guys did
13:09and pretty much everything.
13:1041-13, one of the worst losses for Clemson at home in the history of Clemson football there.
13:16But I'm just wondering, what were you most proud of when you go back and you look at that, especially
13:21in the second half of the game?
13:23I saw levels of physicality, fighting through.
13:26You know, the first half, the play count for the defense was at just about 50.
13:29On offense, it was 25.
13:31And, yeah, we held them to six points.
13:32And going in the locker room, knowing that we had to flip that with a bunch of guys down with
13:36injuries, right?
13:37You had to take the full line of scrimmage.
13:39You had to maintain possession.
13:40And you had to flip that balance.
13:42Because if not, if you're – you know, you start reaching the 90s, brother, you're in trouble, right?
13:45Right.
13:46On one side of the ball.
13:47So, I thought that really stood out.
13:49I thought communication – I mean, that one pre-stamp penalty, man.
13:52I mean, that's – you know, it's going to be a rough meeting for some folks.
13:55But aside from that, I thought we handled the environment really well.
13:58And I thought that we really focused on just one play at a time, Joe.
14:02Just taking the life out of the stadium and taking control and gaining the momentum.
14:06And at some point in time, we felt that we could get it and keep it.
14:10And we kept fighting and doing our job until we got there.
14:12So, very simple message with a mission.
14:15And I thought, for the most part, we carried it out.
14:19But I do want to say this, Joe.
14:21Our fans – holy crap.
14:24Our fan base – I was shocked.
14:26We walk out and even pre-game, I'm like, you know, is this real?
14:30And there's orange and green everywhere.
14:33Everywhere.
14:34And they were loud.
14:35Their presence was felt.
14:37When we pulled up to the stadium, same thing.
14:39And at the end of the game, you know, they're all over.
14:42They're on the field.
14:42They're celebrating with our guys.
14:44Really made our guys feel good.
14:46I'm glad that they feel proud and looking forward to seeing more and more of them on the road.
14:50Well, listen, this is – that was a big – hey, I said it myself.
14:54Hey, look at this.
14:54This is going to be your biggest test at game last week.
14:57And for people who haven't played anybody yet.
14:59And I go, well, they're getting ready to.
15:01And the schedule gets more difficult.
15:03And Clemson's a damn good team.
15:05And I was glad that that – I thought national TV did a great job of making that point, too,
15:10of like, look at – they showed you what they're made of.
15:13And now you're seeing a little bit of what you saw during their run late last year
15:18of what this team looks like.
15:20Did you feel that same way, too?
15:22That, hey, guys, this is – this is going to be a different level playing at Clemson?
15:27We felt that it was just – you know, as the season goes on,
15:32you just want to get away from noise and you want to get into the work.
15:35So we actually left a day early just to get away from everyone and everything
15:39and just camped out.
15:40We just want to be – I want us to be around ourselves, man.
15:43I want coaches and players around each other, shut out the outside noise
15:46and get focused for what could have been lightning, rain, delays, crazy crowd,
15:52all that stuff.
15:53We just want to get completely focused on what really matters,
15:57and that's playing 1-0 football in every single play.
15:59So we just believe in some core principles that we're not going to stray from, Joe.
16:03So, look, man, we played hard.
16:05There's a ton of stuff to correct.
16:07We are nowhere near as good as we need to be.
16:10So, honestly, when they come in today here in a little bit,
16:12because we got back like at 4 or 5 in the morning,
16:14which is probably a normal night for you on a weekend.
16:16But for us, it was a little bit challenging, and we're right back at it.
16:20Yeah.
16:21Hey, great win, man.
16:23I'll tell you what, it was great.
16:24It was, and it was fun to see it.
16:26And everybody in the country got to see the Miami Hurricanes halfway through this season.
16:31Mario, thanks, man.
16:32I really appreciate you coming on this morning.
16:34Joe, thank you so much, man.
16:35Have a great day, and go Canes.
16:36All right.
16:37Mario Cristobal, Hurricanes head coach, joining us to talk a little bit.
16:41Never loses focus, man.
16:43Never, never, never loses focus.
16:47Never.
16:48Right?
16:49I was wondering.
16:50There you have it, Woody.
16:51I didn't know what it was.
16:52They left early in the morning.
16:54They took off.
16:56Anyway, hey, listen, we got more stuff to get to here this morning.
16:59Omar.
16:59Omar.