COACH… “The talk game is cheap.”

The Canes started slow on Saturday but then took care of business, beating Syracuse, 38-10.

Early Monday morning, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal appeared on The Joe Rose Show on WQAM. Coach shared his thoughts on the game and what’s ahead for the Canes.

On the slow start on Saturday…

"It was a little bit of a lack of execution on the first four drives, but then it was high execution on the defensive side," said coach Cristobal. “Then when we did execute, things started clicking in the right manner and it got everybody juiced up and from there we started playing good football.”

On the performance of the defense…

"They get better and better, week after week. The level of communication, execution, and adjustments. We are throwing a bunch of young guys in there too and we expect no drop off. We just want to keep developing guys and raise the level of expectation. They bring it all week and it shows up on game day.”

On cleaning up the penalties on the offensive line…

“Number one, these guys are grinders. They have a ton of pride and so it isn't like they are slacking off. When we ran into some issues for a couple of games, you assess the entire cycle of the snap and you make your adjustments as it relates to all of it. It proved to be a tremendous benefit to us. Our issues in the first few drives were drops or batted balls. A lot of improvement.”

On the play of CB Keionte Scott…

"He has had a monster year. He is as physically tough as it gets. He is a good sized guy and he throws it up in there all the time. He is awesome.”

On the play of young sophomore DT Justin Scott…

"The only way to get better at football is to keep playing football. At that position, it happens fast. He is a really talented guy that we have to keep pushing, but we saw a lot on Saturday. Credit to him, he played his best game. He played with great pad level and great hands. He had a couple of big plays on the speed sweep and the counter play. The sky is the limit for him, so we are going to really push him this week.”

On the play of WR JoJo Trader…

"I think it is like everybody, when you don't execute at the level and expectation, you say lets coach it better, teach it better, and practice it better and execute it better. You give him opportunities and give other players opportunities and you do what is best for the player and the team.”

On OT Francis Mauigoa’s trick play touchdown, something coach Cristobal promised during his recruitment.

"He certainly needs to be our best recruiter going forward, knowing that we fulfill our promises.”

On injuries...

With three games remaining on the regular season schedule, injuries are a reality for all teams. A team’s depth becomes important. Coach Cristobal shared the injury status of a number of players.

WR CJ Daniels - Cristobal feels “great” about Daniels playing this coming Saturday.

LB Wesley Bissainthe - Coach feels good about Wesley playing this week.

CB OJ Frederique and DT Ahmad Moten - Coach feels it’s still too close to call on their status. Probably a game day decision.

RB Mark Fletcher - "Doubtful" but unlikely he will play.

On the coach-to-coach chatter with Fran Brown…

"It is just competitive. It is football. Just play ball and let the players play…The talk game is cheap…I was raised to handle things the right way in person and the talk game is cheap. That deal was overblown.”

Miami plays their final home game this Saturday against the NC State Wolfpack (5-4, 2-3 ACC).

Kick-off is set for 3:00 p.m. ET. at Hard Rock Stadium. Coverage will be provided by ESPN and 560AM -WQAM, and WVUM.

Miami will be a double-digit favorite but the Wolfpack is still a dangerous team. We need your support in the stands. Come be loud and proud!

Pack the Rock!

GO CANES!