On Saturday, April 16th the Miami Hurricanes ushered in the Mario era at high noon like orange and green savage desperados. Miami Athletics announced that the game was functionally a sell out and the anticipation leading up to the game was palpable.

It did not take long for the Hurricanes to show off an improved running attack. Head Coach Mario Cristobal is a unique entity in college
football. Cristobal started his coaching career with an offensive line pedigree and very few have parlayed that into head coaching gigs. In tandem with well respected offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, immediately you saw their combined experience in action.

The Hurricanes want to establish an identity of being tough and physical up front. This is exactly the mantra displayed on this running play to Thad Franklin. When you have a left guard and tight end coming across the formation like surgically timed wrecking balls, you see the offense constructing themselves the advantage. You also see a very efficient prerogative by the offensive line to maintain balance and get to the second level.

I have the upmost confidence declaring the running game will stock up in the Mario era. Oregon ran the ball for 202.3 yards a game last year which was good for fourth overall in conference. The Miami Hurricanes were third last in the Athletic Coast Conference with only 127.6 yards a game. There was much needed room for improvement running the rock.

Josh Gattis took his 2021 Broyles Award for being the nation’s top assistant coach and introduced himself to the Hurricane fan faithful. This offense is going to operate much differently from a year ago. Idealistically Gattis and company will align with power run concepts
mixed with a multi-formational premise to isolate and attract a mismatch.

Here you will see Gattis take essentially a delayed tight end screen and net the positive play. This puts an insane amount of conflict on the safety who is marking the tight end at the line of scrimmage but is also simultaneously forced into the conundrum of covering over the top. Now with emerging cushion underneath, Kahlil Brantley is the recipient of an easy pitch and catch.

Defense had a changed at the top too. Long time journey man and SEC coaching war daddy Kevin Steele will be multiplicative in his approach. Defensive players will be asked to fill various roles and this isn’t going to be your typical Jimmy Johnson 4-3 defense. Don’t be surprised with the surplus of safety talent on the roster to see multiple variations with them on the field together.

On this 2nd and 6 the defense does a great job communicating the angle route from the backfield. Sophomore safety James Williams is an in-the-box defender and does a great job getting hands on the tight end. Keontra Smith breaks up the play underneath and when the play seemingly looked to be open for the offense, Smith’s make up speed was the difference.

Student of the Game has a new home. The OBB legend will proudly host this series which is made for the fans from the fans. Check out the full length feature video listed below. Popcorn and pencils. You can choose to kick your feet up and eat some popcorn while you watch the Mario Cristobal era unfold or grab a pencil because you’re studious and like to take notes. Might I suggest you do both? #BANG