When Mario Cristobal was asked to name Miami's "unsung heroes" ahead of the College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Ohio State, he didn't hesitate. He rattled off three names: DB Keionte Scott, RG Anez Cooper and RB Mark Fletcher Jr.
Miami and Ohio State will meet Wednesday night in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic in Arlington, with a spot in the CFP semifinals on the line.
DB Keionte Scott
Cristobal even admitted it's the kind of question that can get you in trouble because you're always leaving somebody out. Still, he called Scott "a total team guy."
This season, Scott has 54 total tackles (35 solo, 19 assisted) in 11 games, along with 13.0 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks. He's also posted 1 interception, 5 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and 6 QB hurries.
RG Anez Cooper
Cooper is a different kind of unsung hero because offensive line work is usually thankless. But within Miami's building, he's been a pillar.
Cooper has started all 12 games for Miami this season (including the CFP first-round win). In pass protection, he's allowed zero sacks and just six total pressures (one hit, five hurries) on 435 pass-blocking snaps. In the CFP win over Texas A&M, PFF credited him with a 74.3 run-block grade and 69.6 pass-block grade.
RB Mark Fletcher Jr.
Fletcher might be the funniest name on an unsung heroes list simply because Miami leaned on him so hard in the first round win over Texas A&M.
Fletcher has 158 carries for 857 yards (5.42 yards per carry) and 10 rushing TDs in 11 games, plus 14 catches for 107 yards and 1 receiving TD. That's good for 964 all-purpose yards and 11 total touchdowns overall. His biggest single-game performance was the CFP opener vs. Texas A&M, when he ran 17 times for 172 yards.