Miami’s Cristobal still assessing QB scenario for FSU. Personnel moves kept ‘in-house’
University of Miami coach Mario Cristobal addressed the Hurricanes’ quarterback situation twice Monday without indicating who he’s leaning toward starting at 3:30 p.m. Saturday (ABC) at No. 4 Florida State.
When asked during his afternoon news conference if “assessing everything,’’ as he mentioned in a morning radio interview with WQAM, meant he’ll decide the starter based on how veteran starter Tyler Van Dyke and true freshman Emory Williams do in practice this week — or if it will be “business as usual’’ for the position, Cristobal said, “I appreciate the question and I would respectfully say this: Just from a game-planning standpoint and a team-dynamic standpoint, I wouldn’t use this forum to discuss a personnel move, especially at that position, because it affects so many different things.
“What I would always say is that we’re always competing at every position, we’re always assessing and we always make the decisions that give us the best chance to win. Respectfully, we kind of keep everything regarding personnel moves in-house and tight.”
After the Hurricanes’ horrendous offensive display in their 20-6 loss Saturday at North Carolina State, the quarterback topic is No. 1 for fans who either care about struggling Miami (6-3, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) or archrival/national contender FSU (9-0, 7-0).
Hurricanes fans on social media emphatically want Van Dyke benched and replaced by Williams, who led UM to a double-overtime victory in his lone start Oct. 21 against Clemson.
Fourth-year junior Van Dyke was 21 of 38 (55 percent) for 173 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions at NC State. He has thrown 10 interceptions his past four games and also lost a fumble Saturday. He has not thrown a touchdown the past two games.
Pro Football Focus gave Van Dyke on Saturday the worst grade of his career: 42.1 overall and 38.9 for passing. The previous week was his second-worst grade of 54.2 (54.6 passing) for 2023.
Miami, which had the ball 10 minutes longer than NC State, generated 292 yards — the second-fewest for UM this season after last week’s 276 in an overtime win against Virginia.
Quarterback assessment
When Cristobal assesses quarterback play, he was asked, how much do turnovers factor into assessment?
“We‘ve struggled, to your question,’’ the coach said. “Turnovers cost us football games. We had progressed as a team in so many different areas. In the last four weeks we have regressed in the passing game. It’s a combination of things… How does it relate to the running game? How does protection fit in? How is protection as it relates to the backs? How is the route-running?
“It’s a huge area of focus and it’s tied into some of the turnovers we’ve had as well, and it is a top priority for us.”
On Oct. 14 in a loss at North Carolina, Van Dyke was hit hard and injured his right knee, ribs and back. He missed the Oct. 21 Clemson game and wore a brace on his knee against Virginia, but did not appear to wear it in Saturday’s loss.
“It’s a tough position to be in,’’ Cristobal told WQAM’s Joe Rose. “As a quarterback, you’re banged up. I know they’re frustrated. We’re all frustrated as a team. Our approach always is to find a way to make it work. We turn over every rock. I don’t think anyone can fathom the amount of time we invest to get things right, how we’re always considering every way possible to get every position better.
“That’s where we are right now. We don’t discuss the intricacies of all personnel stuff publicly, especially when we’re still meeting and putting stuff together as an organization. All in all we’re [ticked off] and we’re frustrated with the performance — not with the effort. We played tough, we played hard, we played physical in an environment that for the most part we played well.”
Emory Williams
Williams hasn’t played since Clemson. He is 36 of 48 (75 percent) for 295 yards and one touchdown in four games, with one interception. He has been sacked twice. If he plays again, he will be ineligible for a redshirt. Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson indicated last week that UM had decided to “burn’’ Williams’ redshirt and get him more playing time.
On Monday, Dawson was asked what he wants to see from the the quarterbacks.
“Consistency,’’ he said. “Same thing every week.”
Have coaches been able to identify Van Dyke’s main issue — maybe injuries or confidence?
“We just gotta take care of the ball in certain situations,’’ Dawson said. “Most of it probably has to do with trying to do too much. Let the defense dictate where the ball goes.”
Recently, Dawson said he was a “ride or die dude’’ when it comes to his quarterbacks, and that he lets them “work through’’ their problems. When reminded of that Monday, he was asked if there’s ever “a tipping point’’ in that approach.
“There is absolutely a tipping point,’’ he said. “Nothing lives in a vacuum in this world, for sure. But I think it’s important when you’re out there that you know you have the backing of the people on the sideline. ...There’s a level of freedom you have to play with to be efficient, and I don’t know if you can play with that freedom if in the back of your mind you’re thinking, ‘If I mess up, Coach is going to yank me.’’’
No. 3 sophomore quarterback Jacurri Brown has gotten no game experience this season after starting two of the five games in which he played in 2022. He won as a starter at Georgia Tech and lost as a starter at Clemson. His 2022 numbers: 27 of 45 (60 percent) for 230 yards and three touchdowns, with three interceptions. He can now compete in the final four games this season, including a bowl game, without jeopardizing his redshirt status. But it’s unclear if coaches will play him.
“I would say everything is on the table,’’ Dawson said regarding Brown.
Cristobal told WQAM that Williams was “doing really, really well, as is Jacurri Brown.’’
“Both of those guys are really good players.’’
Injury news
Cristobal said several players who were injured are expected back for FSU. They include starting cornerbacks Jaden Davis, tailback Ajay Allen and receiver Ray Ray Joseph. He said he’s “optimistic” about fellow cornerback starter Daryl Porter, who injured his left ankle and had to be carried off the field Saturday. He added that he is optimistic that tight end Elijah Arroyo will be “full go.’’
▪ Freshman running back Mark Fletcher Jr. was named ACC Rookie of the Week on Monday for his career-high 115 yards on 23 carries.
▪ The ACC announced Monday afternoon that the Nov. 18 Louisville at Miami game is set for a noon kickoff on ABC or ESPN. That means the Canes’ final two regular-season games are at noon. UM travels to Boston College for its regular-season finale the day after Thanksgiving.
