No. 4 Miami is 5-0 and 3-0 in the ACC, but with the bye week here, the Hurricanes are still looking hard at the part of the game that hasn’t matched the rest of their operation: special teams.
That’s been a recurring concern for Mario Cristobal and Miami fans, even as the offense and defense have both performed at a high level. The issue isn’t one single breakdown so much as the lack of splash plays.
There haven’t been blocks, turnovers, or a return game that changes field position in a big way. And on fair catches, Miami’s coverage unit has become so predictable that any defensive back seems to be stationed in front of Malachi Toney before the whistle even blows.
Cristobal said Monday that the staff is constantly pushing for more from every part of the program.
"I think it's safe to say that, and in every press conference, every phase that we address, we're always trying to get more out of our players, out of our scheme, and out of our coaches," Cristobal said during his Monday press conference. "So I'm trying to answer the question. I just don't know if it's a general question, or philosophically, we're always trying to get better at everything we do."
He also pointed to the way injuries have affected how Miami can deploy its personnel. Some of the depth that would normally show up on special teams has been needed elsewhere, especially on defense.
"Yeah, but it doesn't affect because there's a give and a take with that," Cristobal said. "Sometimes a punt rush is a better return, just because you force opponents to block longer, and you create different levels.
They are harder to get to due to some of the rules and some things you got to be aware of as it relates to fakes. But there's always a full-bore effort in that.
We haven't had many, right?
"And we've created some pressure and some good returns in previous years. We haven't had much this year.
We certainly focus on it a bunch. We try to create returns for our guys as well.
And we're playing a lot of guys, right? When you have guys injured, you have to have other guys also assume some of those rules so that you don't compromise your performance on special teams, but you still get high-level play from the guys that are on the field."
For Miami, the formula is clear: every phase has to show up if the Hurricanes are going to get where they want to go.
In Other News...
Malachi Toneys Viral Clemson Moment Has Miami Fans Debating The Coverage
After Miamis win over Clemson, wide receiver Malachi Toney found himself at the center of a moment that had little to do with the scoreboard and plenty to do with how it was framed afterward. Toneys postgame hug with Dabo Swinney stood out as a simple show of sportsmanship, and the clip quickly spread well beyond the usual reach of a victory recap.
What followed was a different kind of conversation, with Miami fans focusing on the sideline reporters comments as much as the exchange itself. The reaction also pulled old memories back into the picture, including previous criticism of ESPN reporter Holly Rowe during college football coverage, turning one brief postgame scene into a wider debate about how these moments get covered. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Has An Early Edge In A Recruitment Fans Will Watch Closely
Brysen Wrights upcoming trip to Coral Gables is another reminder that Miami has already done a lot of the early work in one of the most closely watched recruiting races in the country. The No. 1 prospect in the 2028 class is set to be on campus Oct. 17 for the Florida State game, giving the Hurricanes another chance to impress a recruit who has already been around the program multiple times more than any other school.
Miamis position has drawn notice beyond the usual recruiting chatter, including praise from Wrights father, but the competition is far from settled. Florida, Texas and Ohio State are still in the mix, which is why this visit matters so much for Miami as it tries to turn an early edge into something sturdier as the process continues. [Read more 🡒]
Malachi Toney Is Still Producing But Miami Has A Real Concern
Malachi Toney kept working against Clemson even as the Tigers made him earn everything, with cornerback Ashton Hampton helping keep the Miami receiver in check. He still finished with five catches for 40 yards, a line that fit the kind of day it was for the Hurricanes' passing game, but it also underscored how central Toney has become to Miamis offense even while hes clearly not at full strength.
Miami heads into the bye week with a few key players banged up, and Toney is one of the names worth watching most closely. He has continued to put up strong numbers on the season, but the reduced speed he showed against Clemson adds another layer to the Hurricanes' injury picture, especially with the stretch run approaching and the offense needing him to keep drawing attention every week. [Read more 🡒]