Georgia Tech win is epitome of Mario Cristobal Miami football culture

The 35-14 win by the Miami football team over Georgia Tech on Saturday is the epitome of the culture head coach Mario Cristobal wants the Hurricanes to have. Miami ran 44 times for 217 yards and had a plus-four turnover margin. Miami was outgained 363-353 by Georgia Tech but the turnovers were critical.

Running back Jaylan Knighton led Miami with 118 yards rushing on 16 carries and one touchdown. Quarterback Jacurri Brown completed 14 passes in 19 attempts for 136 yards three TDs and no interceptions with 19 carries for 87 yards. The plus-four turnover margin and 217 rushing yards were the most for Miami since 2020.

The Miami offensive line was physical and helped the Hurricanes average 4.9 yards per carry while allowing only three tackles for loss and one sack. Miami generated nine TFLs and one sack on defense. Safety Kamren Kinchens tied the Miami record with three interceptions and led Miami with eight tackles and added a 0.5 TFL.

Miami was extremely successful on third down and in the red zone against Georgia Tech. The Hurricanes converted seven of its 12 third down attempts and scored TDs on all three trips in the red zone on Saturday. Brown threw TD passes of four yards to Jaleel Skinner and eight to Colbie Young in the red zone.

Knighton added a three-yard TD run in the fourth quarter. Miami also critically held Georgia Tech to 4-12 on third down, 1-2 on fourth, 2-3 in the red zone and two of Kinchens’ interceptions occurred inside the Hurricanes’ yardline. The second of Kinchens red zone interceptions resulted in a 99-yard touchdown return.

Kinchens had help from several Miami defensive players. Six Miami football players finished with at least four tackles. Linebacker Caleb Johnson had a career-high seven tackles and added a 0.5 TFL. True freshman Wesley Bissainthe who was making his first start as was Brown was third on Miami with six tackles.

Miami allowed 234 yards building a 28-7 lead before Georgia Tech gained 129 yards on their last two drives. The first of those drives resulted in the Kinchens pick six and the second was an inconsequential TD with 36 seconds remaining. Georgia Tech scored its first TD with 30 seconds remaining in the first half.

Miami will need a far better performance offensively next Saturday to defeat Clemson. The Hurricanes established an identity on Saturday. Running on Clemson will be difficult. Clemson is second in the ACC allowing 107.33 rushing yards per game and seven rushing TDs and leads the conference allowing 3.41 yards per carry.