After Miami's 28-22 win over Florida State, Mario Cristobal took to the microphone and explained what this team is becoming. He started with his quarterback. "He was on fire... everything about him, it screams winner. We're glad he's on our side," Cristobal said after Carson Beck threw four touchdowns with no turnovers in a game Miami once led 28–3 late in the third quarter.
Cristobal didn't hide how much the in-state stakes mattered. When asked about sweeping Florida, USF and Florida State, he leaned into it a bit. "That's our fourth straight game against an opponent from the state of Florida. That’s important to us, being state champions," he said.
Cristobal also summarized the game from his perspective. "We took control early in the second half and did some things to let them work back. Overall, a tremendous effort by our guys," Cristobal said, noting Miami's defense flipped the field with two interceptions that turned into touchdowns while the offense hit vertical shots to Malachi Toney and CJ Daniels.
Cristobal framed the win as a step, not a destination, and tied it to the program's identity. "We are moving forward. We're not going back. We're taking the principles and values of those teams and pushing Miami football to modern-day football," he said when asked about swagger moments and how much of the old Miami he wants to embrace.
Miami stopped Florida State on seven straight drives in the middle quarters and held one of the nation's best offenses to a season-low 22 points. Florida State finished with three turnovers and Miami had none.
If there was a negative to the night; Cristobal refused to call the performance complete. He credited DC Corey Hetherman's plan but acknowledged the fourth-quarter run FSU went on. Cristobal insisted the film will be telling and they will have plenty to fix despite the win. Miami gets a bye and then Louisville on Friday, Oct. 17.