CORAL GABLES, Fla. – The Miami Hurricanes are fired up to start the season.
The Canes will kick off the season on Saturday in Swamp against the Florida Gators.
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Miami starts the season with high hopes, ranked No. 19 in the country.
Head Coach Mario Cristobal talked to reporters on Monday.
Cristobal was asked about motivation. He said, “Motivation in football should always take care of itself. When you play a rivalry game like this it tends to crank up a couple of levels. It’s important to recognize games like this, games in general, they’re won in the offseason in your Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday practices, you almost play the game before you play the game.”
Canes head coach Mario Cristobal talks about how the intensity goes up in a rivalry game like playing the Florida Gators pic.twitter.com/JwMMw2krvy
— WPLG Local 10 Sports (@Local10Sports) August 26, 2024
The opener will mark the first game for Canes new quarterback Cam Ward, who transferred to Miami from Washington State.
Cristobal had high praise for both Ward and for Gators quarterback Graham Mertz.
One of the big issues for Miami last season was clock management.
The Canes had a tough loss against Georgia Tech on Oct. 7 when they failed to take a knee to run out the clock.
Cristobal said that Miami has addressed that issue.
The Canes now have a time management coach, but Cristobal would not indicate who it is.
The Canes and Gators kick off on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
The game can be seen in South Florida on Local 10.