Miami’s 38-10 win against Syracuse on Saturday was more than just a game. It featured the heated exchange with the head coaches mid-game. The ESPN cameras caught Mario Cristobal and Fran Brown yelling at each other, like they’re ready for a wrestling game. Nobody knows what exactly happened on the field, other than the head coach himself. Now, we hear from the horse’s mouth.

Mario Cristobal, on the November 10th episode of The Joe Rose Show, addressed the heated segment with Syracuse HC Fran Brown. At first, the Miami head coach took the high road, not getting into what happened off the field. When asked about his relationship with Brown, Cristobal said, “It is just competitive. It is football. Just play ball and let the players play, and that’s about it.” 

However, the tone shifted when Cristobal was told what Fran Brown said about his team. With Miami leading 14-0, Brown gave a halftime interview to the sideline reporter. “We had Miami on the brink of quitting at half,” he said.

Cristobal didn’t sugarcoat his words. “The talk game is cheap,” he said, sarcastically adding, “It didn’t look like a quitting bunch at 38-3.” He went on to present a contrasting view to how Brown has discussed Miami. “I don’t do the talking.” Miami’s head coach fired back, “I was raised to handle things the right way in person, and the talk game is cheap.”

About the incident where the two head coaches got into an argument, Cristobal tried not to add further fuel to the fire. “That deal was overblown. But again, we live in a sensationalist type of society where everything is, let’s make it like the old WWF, right? Blow it up and try to make something of it. And anyways, Go Canes.”

It’s easier to take the high ground when your team dismantles the opposition 38-10. Last year, Fran Brown ended Miami’s playoff hopes. However, the Orange stood no chance in Week 11. They weren’t helped by an injury-plagued roster, starting from the QB position.

Fran Brown’s post Game Comments

After the 28-point loss to Miami, Syracuse head coach met Miami’s legendary WR Michael Irvin on the sidelines. Fran Brown showed respect to the legend and handled it well. “With all due respect, I know how you play, don’t get used to this sh-t,” Frank told Irwin. The football HOF appreciated him. “I got you folks. I appreciate you. I appreciate your attention, folks. Let’s grow up, that’s the way to take. Good job, man, good job.”

Brown, after that trash-talking on the ground, with due respect, gave credit to Cristobal’s Miami. He stressed that at the end of the day, it’s just a competition. “(Mario) Cristobal and his staff did a really good job,” Brown said. “They just played really good football. They played really good, clean football for 60 minutes, and it was a pleasure and honor to be able to play against those guys.”

As both coaches cleared their stance, Cristobal can now turn their focus on hosting NC State and climb the rankings to enter the playoffs. Miami is now at No. 16, and they need to win every single game to enter the playoff brackets.