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Mario Cristobal Knows Tackling Is Miami’s Only Path To Win
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- Mario Cristobal Knows Tackling Is Miami’s Only Path To Win
Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
No. 1 Miami survived a scare against North Carolina, but the win came with a heavy price tag on the defensive side of the ball. The Hurricanes are 8-0 and sitting atop the national rankings, yet they still cannot stop the run or bring down a quarterback in one-on-one situations. This is a glaring hole that head coach Mario Cristobal refuses to ignore as the team prepares for a massive showdown in South Bend.
According to Sports Illustrated , the coaching staff has identified the root cause of these struggles. Cristobal told the Joe Rose Show on Monday morning that the team simply did not tackle well against the Tar Heels. He noted that while the team had good detail and communication, the physical act of bringing players down was missing when the ball was checked into the boundary or on screen plays. These missed tackles allowed North Carolina to keep drives alive and stay in the game until the final seconds.
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The Strip Sack Was The Only Fix
The only thing that saved Miami's unbeaten record was a moment of pure opportunism in the fourth quarter. Defensive end Marquise Lightfoot forced a strip-sack that gave the Canes the ball back and allowed them to run out the clock. Lightfoot explained his mindset after the game, saying, "Just playing ball, you know, that's why I try to do every play every time they pass the ball," per Sports Illustrated. He noted that the opposing quarterback held the ball a split second too long, which allowed Lightfoot to make the play.
This single play highlighted a recurring issue for the entire season. The defense has been one of the worst tackling units in the country, even as they generate sacks and turnovers. Cristobal knows that relying on luck and strip-sacks is not a sustainable strategy for a national championship run. The team needs to fix their fundamentals before they face a team that punishes mistakes more severely than North Carolina did.
One On Ones Must End With A Tackle
Cristobal has made it clear that winning the individual battles on the line is useless if the defenders cannot finish the play. He explained that extending plays by extending the ball or the quarterback is the biggest problem facing the team right now. "It rains toreme, man." According to Sports Illustrated, Cristobal told the Joe Rose Show that when you secure a good number of one-on-ones, you must finish on the quarterback if you win.
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The upcoming game against Notre Dame presents a severe test of this specific skill. The Fighting Irish have a quarterback who can extend plays, and Miami's secondary has already struggled against teams that can throw the ball effectively. North Carolina averaged 10.0 yards per pass attempt against the Hurricanes, while Florida State averaged 10.2 yards per attempt in a double-overtime loss. If Miami cannot tackle these elusive players, the offense will be forced to score on every single drive just to stay in the game.
The team must find answers in the details before Saturday night. Cristobal emphasized that conference football is different and acts like playoff football for everyone. He told the media after the UNC victory that the team must find a way to get better in certain aspects while maintaining their ability to win.
