CORAL GABLES, Fla. -Special Teams has been one of the most consistent parts of the Miami Hurricanes since Mario Cristobal returned to Coral Gables.
However, even with that consistency, the mistake in the National Championship Game that sealed the deal for Indiana still haunts the team, even if they have moved on as a collective.
This season, the Hurricanes have added two new kickers again. The battle between Northwestern transfer Jack Olsen and FSU transfer Jake Weinberg continues to heat up, as both know that they can learn from each other while also trying to get the best out of each other.
Oct 11, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Northwestern Wildcats kicker Jack Olsen (82) kicks a field goal during the first quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
"Those are things that really stood out, but I think it's also important not to label, them and let them compete because what they have both shown and can't," Head coach Mario Cristobal said on the competition. "They could both take it out of the end zone and they both have excellent range and we did kick 48, 50s and 52s. I forget what we got to, but it was close enough to 55 where you feel confident."
Moreover, the battle has left Cristobal in a place where the group is right where they need to be during fall camp.
"We feel really good about all three but we're putting them in every situation," Cristobal said. "If they have to shine and create separation, so I really can't say how it's going to work out. We'd rather let it play out, but make it as fair as possible. Assess and then provide each guy with a path for betterment to give them a chance to be that guy. But I think this will be an ongoing thing."
Cristobal on the Protect College Sports Act:
Cristobal on Jordan Lyle's Recovery and Determination:I see the Jordan Lyle that we saw a year ago in many respects but with better physical traits. Meaning, I think credit to coach Irv Young and and the staff sports science and the training. Those guys have really collaborated to put us in position to be able to practice like this, right? Because you train to be able to practice and you practice to be able to play.
And you want to you're going to you're going to play like the train, right? And we want to be, you know, we don't want to post it or tweet it. We want to be for letting us take a physically violent, imposing, elite-conditioned football team. Jordan has taken strength conditioning very seriously. I think he's certainly improved. He's healthy, which I think is a really important part. I don't think people really knew the extent of how banged up he was last year. And we see a full-speed player. Really excited about the about him. We're gonna test him really hard for the next couple of days.
Olsen on how The Big 10 Helped His Kicking:It will be a little different down here for sure. It won't be as cold and I'm excited about that. Really all the Big 10 stadiums are windy and once you get to November it gets cold and not as fun. Excited to kick at Hard Rock.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/miami as Miami Hurricanes Fall Camp Day Nine Notebook: Special Teams Gets Its Day .
