Mario Cristobal and Miami will face mentor Greg Schiano and Rutgers in the Pinstripe Bowl
Wed, Dec 27, 2023
NCAAF News (AP)
Pinstripe Bowl: Miami (7-5) vs. Rutgers (6-6), Dec. 28, 2:15 p.m. Eastern (ESPN)
Line: Miami 1 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Miami leads 11-0.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
While this a matchup of Rutgers coach Greg Schiano against his former assistant, Mario Cristobal, the programs have more at stake. The Scarlet Knights are looking for their first winning season since 2014. Miami will try to snap a four-game losing streak in postseason action in its first bowl game since 2020. Cristobal took over in 2022.
KEY MATCHUP
Rutgers secondary against Miami's outstanding receiving duo of Xavier Restrepo and Jacolby George. The wide receivers are one of six FBS duos to each record at least 850 receiving yards and 55 receptions this season. Rutgers was ranked 11th nationally in pass defense (175.9 yards). There is uncertainty whether Scarlet Knights cornerback Max Melson will play. He is entering the NFL draft.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Rutgers: Kyle Monangai. The junior running back started all 12 games and led the Big Ten in rushing with 1,099 yards, the ninth-most in a season in school history. He had six games with at least 100 yards, five games with at least 20 carries and seven touchdowns in the regular season. His 217 carries led the league.
Miami: With the transfer of quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to Wisconsin, Jacurri Brown is expected to make his first start of the season and third of his career. He saw action in eight games as a true freshman in 2022. His best outing was in a road win at Georgia Tech, when he threw three touchdown passes and rushed for 87 yards. Brown has not thrown a pass this season.
FACTS & FIGURES
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights are 5-2 in bowl games under Schiano, and 6-5 overall. This will be their third appearance in the Pinstripe Bowl. They beat Iowa State in 2011 and lost to Notre Dame in 2013. ... This will be the 13th time they have played at Yankee Stadium dating to 1926. ... Eight of their opponents from this season are in bowl games. ... Rutgers is riding a four-game losing streak. ... QB Gavin Wimsatt has accounted for 18 TDs, nine each rushing and passing. ... LB Mohamed Toure leads the Scarlet Knights with 7 1/2 sacks. PK Jai Patel was 14 of 16 on field goal attempts. ... Miami: The bowl game will be its 44th in school history. The Canes are 20-23 overall. It's the first meeting between the two programs since 2003. ... Miami is making its third overall bowl appearance in New York. It lost to Wisconsin in this game in 2018 and lost to Nebraska in the 1962 Gotham Bowl in the original Yankee Stadium. ... DL Rueben Bain Jr. was named the ACC defensive rookie of the year. His 37 tackles led Miami defensive linemen. He and LB Francisco "Kiko" Mauigoa tied for the team lead 7 1/2 sacks. ... The Canes are No. 22 in FBS in yards per play, averaging 6.51 yards. ... Miami junior PK Andy Borregales is 21 of 25 on field goal attempts this season. ... Besides Van Dyke (19 TD passes), Miami will also be without starting safeties Kamren Kitchens and James Williams, OL Javion Cohen and Matt Lee, and DT Leonard Taylor and others because of NFL and transfer decisions.
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