When the Hurricanes and Orange came back from halftime in their game on Saturday, ESPN sideline reporter Kris Budden said Syracuse coach Fran Brown believed UM was on the verge of giving up before halftime.
“His message to the team, Bob (Wischusen), at half was, ‘We had Miami ready to quit, and we let them off the hook,’” Budden said on the broadcast.
The Orange and Hurricanes were locked in a scoreless tie for most of the first half before Miami scored on a trick play and added a second touchdown on a pick-six. Miami ultimately rolled to a 38-10 win and did not give up a touchdown until the final moments of the game.
When asked about the relayed comments from Brown on WQAM on Monday morning, Miami coach Mario Cristobal largely sidestepped the comments and a moment where ESPN cameras caught the pair of coaches appearing to jaw at each other.
“That deal, that was overblown,” Cristobal said. “But again, we live in a sensationalist society where everything is — let’s make it like the old WWF, blow it up and try to make something of it. And anyways, go ‘Canes.”
But Cristobal did land one barb.
“The talk game is cheap,” Cristobal said. “It didn’t look like a quitting bunch at 38-3.”
Several Hurricanes in injury limbo
Miami was missing multiple starters against Syracuse on Saturday, and it is unclear how many of them — if any — will return against N.C. State this weekend.
Running back Mark Fletcher Jr., wide receiver CJ Daniels, defensive lineman Ahmad Moten Sr. and cornerback OJ Frederique Jr. all missed the game with injuries. Linebacker Wesley Bissainthe was limited to just 13 snaps in the game, and defensive tackle David Blay suffered an injury during the game, as well.
Cristobal said he doesn’t see Fletcher returning this week.
“But he is getting better and he’s getting closer and closer,” Cristobal said. “… It’s going to be touch and go. I’ll say that, but I’d say it’d be doubtful.”
However, Cristobal said he feels “great” about Daniels returning to the lineup, and he feels hopeful about Bissainthe. Daniels leads UM with six touchdown catches.
Cristobal added that the status of Moten and Frederique is “wait and see.” Frederique appeared to have a cast on his left hand and wrist when talking to other players during pregame warmups on Saturday.
Francis Mauigoa honored
Hurricanes star Francis Mauigoa was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against Syracuse.
Most notably, Mauigoa scored a rushing touchdown — the first, he said, since he played Little League football — when quarterback Carson Beck threw a backwards pass to him in the win. Mauigoa said he was still a bit disappointed because he did not get to hit anyone on his way into the end zone.
Mauigoa, who has had a strong junior year, had a 77.1 pass-blocking grade and a 60.3 run-blocking grade against the Orange, according to Pro Football Focus. He allowed one quarterback pressure. PFF also gave Mauigoa an 84.7 receiving grade for the catch and score.