Mario Cristobal crushed by fans, media for timeout usage vs. Rutgers
Mario Cristobal received some major criticism on Thursday evening as his Miami team fell 31-24 to Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl.
The Hurricanes had a lead in the second half, but gave up 17 straight points to fall behind 31-17. They were not able to overcome that deficit despite a late a touchdown and an onside kick recovery.
Cristobal deployed a questionable timeout strategy at the end of both halves. He elected to not call a timeout on defense with just under two minutes remaining in the first half. Doing so would have given more time for his offense to score before the break.
That decision resulted in Miami running out of time in the red zone — with a timeout still available — with four seconds left in the first half. The Hurricanes settled for a field goal to make it 14-10 going into the break.
Then, trailing by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, Cristobal chose not to call timeouts even as Rutgers went on a clock-killing drive late in the game. The Scarlet Knights’ final offensive drive of the game took 7:12 off the clock despite gaining just 26 yards. Cristobal finally called a timeout with 2:40 remaining.
After a Rutgers field goal, Miami found itself down 31-17. The Hurricanes marched down the field and scored to make it 31-24. Then, Miami miraculously recovered the onside kick to give it a chance to tie or perhaps even win the game in regulation.
However, by that point, there was just 25 seconds remaining — and Miami still had two timeouts in its back pocket. The Hurricanes’ drive ended with a turnover-on-downs, effectively ending the game.
Cristobal’s timeout strategy was the subject of a lot of conversation after the game. Here’s some of that reaction:
Mario Cristobal leaving a one-possession bowl game loss with two timeouts in his pocket is only like his seventh fireable offense this season ?
— Matt LaMarca (@MattLaMarca) December 28, 2023
Mario Cristobal will have two timeouts to use in the offseason after Miami loses a one-score game in which the Hurricanes had the ball last.
— Barrett Sallee ?? (@BarrettSallee) December 28, 2023
Wondering what Mario Cristobal is going to do with those two spare timeouts next season? Are there any offseason game- management online classes available?
— Ira Winderman (@IraHeatBeat) December 28, 2023
Fair or not, Mario Cristobal needs to shed this reputation soon.
Because the evidence of him being an underperforming coach is beginning to stack up significantly.
(Final: Rutgers 31, Miami 24) https://t.co/nutLM8oXgm— Andrew Nemec (@AndrewNemec) December 28, 2023
Why doesn't Mario Cristobal hire someone who understands how a clock works
— BaruhBets (@BaruhBets) December 28, 2023
I can’t believe Mario Cristobal is still a head coach.
He should just be an elite recruiter/ OL coach on a great staff.
Not the actual HC lol.
— ? (@Zona_Buckeye) December 28, 2023
Mario Cristobal is Jimbo Fisher without a National Championship.
— Lance Taylor (@TheLanceTaylor) December 28, 2023
Mario Cristobal is getting paid 8 million dollars to have absolutely zero concept of in game clock management.
— Travis Miller (@JustTMill) December 28, 2023
MARIO CRISTOBAL IS JUST GONNA LET TWO TIMEOUTS GO TO WASTE??? ????????????
I know Billy Napier has in-game deficiencies. I know that. I’ve criticized him plenty for them.
But he’s not *this* bad. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anybody who is. That’s just malpractice…
— InAllKindsOfWeather.com (@AllKindsWeather) December 28, 2023
Mario Cristobal gonna take those 2 timeouts on vacation with him
— Jake Winderman (@jakewinderman) December 28, 2023
Rutgers ends a topsy-turvy season with a bowl win. Miami finishes at 7-6 and 12-13 under Mario Cristobal. The recruiting hype is there; the results, not so much for the U. Big Year 3 coming up for Cristobal.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 28, 2023
You’ll really struggle to find a gameday coach as horrific as Mario Cristobal.
— BeatinTheBookie.com®️ (@BeatinTheBookie) December 28, 2023
Miami just getting absolutely bullied by Rutgers.
And you're not going to believe this, but Mario Cristobal is completely mismanaging the game right now.
— Tom Orr (@TomOrr4) December 28, 2023
Wait … so you're telling me Mario Cristobal is having some problems managing the clock? I'm stunned.
— Barrett Sallee ?? (@BarrettSallee) December 28, 2023
Mario Cristobal returned to Miami to set records and he certainly has after guiding the Hurricanes to their first loss against Rutgers in program history.
The Scarlet Knights were previously 0-11 against the U. #Noles pic.twitter.com/J61UQA340J
— Dustin Lewis (@DustinLewisNG) December 28, 2023
Mario Cristobal’s timeout philosophy needs to be studied by scientists
Serious galaxy brain stuff going on there in Coral Gables
— Josh Callaway (@JoshMCallaway) December 28, 2023