As the Miami Hurricanes go into Death Valley on Saturday night, HC Mario Cristobal might be tempted to run up the score in the name of revenge.
In 2023, a year after Clemson scored with 16 seconds left to finish a 40-10 win, he said the Hurricanes had carried that ending into the next meeting, and that the gap between the two teams has started to close.
"They didn't forget anything. Those guys scored on us with 16 seconds left last year as the clock was winding down. So I think our guys came out with a lot to prove. I think it shows how much the gap has closed with one full class, and a couple of transfers and some player development within the program. It validates a lot, and it increases our appetite to go get more."Mario Cristobal
Miami's 2022 matchup against Clemson
Clemson was already up 33-10 late in the 2022 matchup, but the Tigers scored anyway. Kobe Pace scored on a 1-yard run after Trenton Simpson forced a fumble and Cade Klubnik drove the offense down the field.
Miami had 98 yards that afternoon, its fewest in 57 years, and ran 42 plays to Clemson's 84.
Miami's 2023 matchup against Clemson
Miami beat Clemson 28-20 in double overtime the following year in Cristobal's first ACC home win after an 0-5 start.
The Hurricanes held Clemson to 31 rushing yards and sacked Klubnik five times. After the game, Cristobal recognized that Miami had gained ground on the royalty of the ACC.
Next up: Miami's 2026 matchup against Clemson
Now Miami faces Clemson as the clear favorites with a real chance at revenge if things get ugly for Clemson. The 2023 squad may have not had the ability to put the Tigers in the ground, but the 2026 team certainly does. And if Cristobal's 2023 quote is any indication, he won't be showing any mercy late in this one.
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