In an unexpected fusion of college football and the vibrant ambiance of New York, the Miami Hurricanes stepped onto an unconventional stage for their Pinstripe Bowl showdown against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Hosted in Yankee Stadium and backed by an unlikely lawn mower sponsorship, this bowl game brought together two unranked teams, setting the scene for an atmosphere that, as described by Miami Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal, undeniably embodied the spirit of “New York-ish.”
Despite the unconventional nature of the setting and the unique experiences the team enjoyed throughout the week, the grandeur of the location couldn’t overshadow the primary purpose: the game itself. The depleted Hurricanes, grappling with roster challenges due to transfers and defections to the NFL Draft—offensive linemen Matt Lee and Javion Cohen, defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III, and safeties Kamren Kinchens and James Williams—faced off against Rutgers in a bid to end their postseason struggles.
Miami, led by a roster considerably depleted by departures via the transfer portal and key players opting out due to the NFL Draft, ultimately succumbed to a 31-24 defeat against Rutgers. The loss extended the Hurricanes’ bowl game losing streak to five and marked their 11th defeat in the last 12 postseason appearances.
For Coach Mario Cristobal, this season had been particularly challenging. Despite high-profile recruiting classes and lofty expectations following his move from Oregon in December 2021, the results had fallen short. The disappointment of the Pinstripe Bowl loss added to the scrutiny surrounding Cristobal’s tenure at Miami, where his record now stands at 12-13 over his first two seasons. Despite the high expectations accompanying his notable move from Oregon two years ago, optimism from promising recruiting classes is dampened by the team’s 12 wins, which fall short of the achievements of the Hurricanes’ three previous head coaches—Manny Diaz, Mark Richt, and Al Golden—during their respective first two seasons. Lingering questions remain about the team’s trajectory from here.
Jacurri Brown, making his inaugural appearance at quarterback in a critical moment, showcased his skills by throwing for 181 yards on 20-of-31 passes, including one touchdown and one interception. Additionally, he contributed 57 yards and two scores on 15 carries. Xavier Restrepo’s notable performance, with 11 passes for 99 yards and a touchdown, set a new single-season reception record with 85 for the Hurricanes.
The closing minutes of the game saw a spirited effort from Brown and the Hurricanes, with Brown’s 1-yard touchdown narrowing the gap to 31-24. Te’Cory Couch’s successful recovery of the onside kick with only 25 seconds left on the clock added a glimmer of hope. Starting from their own 44-yard line, Miami attempted a comeback. However, a short completion followed by two incompletions set the stage for a critical 4th-and-6. Brown’s completion to Restrepo fell just one yard shy of the first-down marker, extinguishing any hopes of a comeback.
Despite an impressive 4-0 start to the 2023 campaign that landed the Hurricanes at No. 13 in the AP Top 25 Poll, they couldn’t maintain momentum, finishing just 3-6 in their remaining games and suffering their first loss in 12 games against Rutgers.
Brown assumed the starting role after Tyler Van Dyke’s transfer to Wisconsin and Emory Williams’ unavailability due to injury. Though he demonstrated flashes of brilliance, such as a well-executed 30-yard touchdown pass to Restrepo, he struggled to stretch the field with downfield throws and failed to generate enough substantial gains on the ground.
The Hurricanes’ total offensive output was disappointing, tallying only 311 yards, significantly below their season average of 441 yards, which ranked second in the ACC. Entering the game with the ACC’s top rushing defense, allowing just 97 yards per game, the absence of key players like Kamren Kinchens, James Williams, and Leonard Taylor III on defense proved detrimental as the unit struggled to contain Rutgers’ rushing attack.
Rutgers seized control early with a 14-0 lead and extended it further in the third quarter with a blocked punt for a score. Kyle Monangai’s 163 rushing yards and a touchdown, along with Gavin Wimsatt’s two touchdown runs and 84 passing yards, propelled the Scarlet Knights to victory.
Facing a pivotal 4th-and-2 with 10 minutes remaining and trailing 28-17, the Hurricanes’ attempt to rally fell short when Henry Parrish’s run was stuffed for a 2-yard loss. Rutgers extended their lead to 31-17 with a 35-yard field goal by Jai Patel with 2:35 left. Brown orchestrated an 11-play, 75-yard drive, providing the Hurricanes with an opportunity for an unlikely win.
Looking toward the offseason, the pivotal question centers on the quarterback position: Will it be Jacurri Brown, Emory Williams, or a new quarterback from the transfer portal when the Hurricanes commence the 2024 season against the Florida Gators in Gainesville on August 31, 2024?
