Mario Cristobal updates injured and suspended Miami football players

During his post-game press conference, Mario Cristobal provided updates on Miami football players who sat out the game on Saturday and those who were injured in the win versus Bethune-Cookman. Safety Jalen Harrell and wide Jacolby George missed the game Saturday serving the first of a two-game suspension.

Freshman wide receiver Isaiah Horton served his one-game suspension versus Bethune-Cookman. Center, Jakai Clark and defensive tackle Leonard Taylor who suffered a shoulder stinger on Saturday are expected to be ok. Running back Jaylan Knighton who participated in pre-game warmups sat out with a soft tissue injury.

Knighton was held out as a precautionary measure. Without Knighton, the Miami football team was down to Thad Franklin and Henry Parrish as the sole scholarship running backs on Saturday. Franklin and Parrish combined for 186 yards rushing and five TDs. Parrish added three receptions for 25 yards. Miami ran for 305 yards.

George was expected to challenge to start at WR. Michael Redding III started with Key’Shawn Smith at WR and Xavier Restrepo in the slot. Restrepo led Miami with five receptions for 100 yards and a TD. Redding had two receptions for 31 yards and a TD. Smith starred on special teams but did not record a reception.

Smith had three kickoff returns for 184 yards with a long of 72. Smith appeared to run the second-half kickoff back for a TD but was ruled out of bounds at the Bethune-Cookman 17-yard line after a review. Miami was not able to convert after losing a fumble inside the Bethune-Cookman 10-yard line.

Harrell could be lost in the shuffle of a deep Miami safety unit. Miami played five safeties on Saturday. Safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams each had an interception. Gilbert Frierson had an interception return for a TD playing the star position. Cristobal did not mention the reasons for George, Harrell and Horton’s suspensions.