Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal and player reaction post NC State

Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal and players weigh in after the Canes’ game.

Tune in for what they are saying:

Opening statement …

“I want to start by thanking the crowd, they showed up strong, showed up with a lot of energy. Certainly a big boost for our guys and I am really proud of our team being down a significant amount of starters, coming out and maybe playing the most complete team football game of the year. Very much a game where it was complementary, both sides showing up where they needed to.”

On having their most complete game with a lot of players that weren’t initially starters…

“Well you win every game and OJ Frederique is out, right? Ahmad Moten hasn’t played in weeks, you don’t know how much you’re going to get out of him. David Blay’s down. Akheem Mesidor has been out. CJ Daniels, your senior leading receiver, out. Mark Fletcher is out. These aren’t just starters, they’re big time players and big time leaders. So, it kind of goes back to the energy they brought to the building on Monday. They just were a very determined group, last week and this week, to put together their best week of preparation and bring it to life on Saturday. So I think it speaks volumes of them as human beings, as competitors, as teammates, with a real high care factor to going out there and producing play the best we can.”

On how the defense played…

“Well I mean they were averaging, I think it was six, seven yards per carry. But I thought they were really physical up front there. Their coach, Coach Tudor, does a great job with their offensive line to get down on their quarterback and turn it up. He’s a great player. Controlling the line of scrimmage and making them one dimensional, and hitting the quarterback certainly affected his accuracy and his timing– having to get rid of it earlier. Being able to play man coverage, as much as we did tonight, is also another thing that I think is really important going down the stretch here.”

Carson Beck, Quarterback, Redshirt Senior

On where he sees the offense moving into the last two games…

“We’ve really found our rhythm again in the pass game, the run game, just playing complementary football on offense, which is so, so important. And then also just being able to find explosive plays. There’s so many talented playmakers all over the field, from the wide receivers, the running backs, the tight ends… You don’t know who’s going to, you know, pop off and have a night. So they just continue to roll, and continue to get better and work.”

Girard Pringle Jr., Running Back, Freshman

On finally getting to carry the load after waiting all year…

“It feels great, you know, when I get a chance to execute. I execute. I learn a lot from the guys in practice and they help me with everything I do.”

Akheem Mesidor, Defensive End, Redshirt Senior

On how it feels to see so many guys step up today, what does it say about your depth…

“I think it says a lot, and I think it says a lot about our culture. You know, everybody is there in practice. If you’re not in, you’re in the back to back. You’re looking at the person ahead of you and what he’s doing right and what he’s doing wrong. Even if you’re not on the field you’re still making the same calls, same checks. And, it’s always a next man up mentality. So everybody has to make plays. Everybody has the same amount of mental reps. Maybe not the same amount of physical reps, but everyone has to be ready to do their job.”

Malachi Toney, Wide Receiver, Freshman

On starting fast on offense…

“That’s very important. We came out and did what we needed to do from the jump. No matter who we play or what the circumstances are, when the ball’s up, it’s go time.”

Jakobe Thomas, Safety, Redshirt Senior

On being able to set the tone for the offense with his two interceptions…

“We talk about playing complimentary football all the time. So, for me to be able to bust a play like that and get the offense rolling, I really work for them. It just feels good to make a play and be of good use to this team.”

Postgame Press Conference Transcript: NC State HC Dave Doeren

Saturday, November 15, 2025
Hard Rock Stadium

Dave Doeren, NC State Head Coach

Opening statement…

“Congratulations to Miami. They played really well. Their kids were prepared and executed. We turned the football over twice in the first quarter, and from there it became a total time-of-possession mismatch. We weren’t able to stop them consistently, even when we held them to field goals. Offensively we just couldn’t get anything going. When you look up in the third quarter and see 400 yards to 87, 25 first downs to five… you’ve got to hand it to them.

The highlight of our night was our punter, which is sad to say, but Caden Fordham did a tremendous job. Otherwise, offense and defense weren’t good enough. We have a bunch of good kids who will go back to work, and that’s where our focus is.”

On how to approach the final two games of the season…

“One at a time. Everything is about getting back to Raleigh, getting healthy, refocusing, and preparing for Florida State. Both teams we play next are fighting hard to finish their seasons.”

On handling CJ’s early turnovers…

“I just told him to keep playing and move on to the next play. We have a lot of faith in him. He knows he messed up, you don’t need to tear a kid down at that moment. Let him see it on the iPad, learn from it, and then respond.”