As the Miami Hurricanes prepare to face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinals, Mario Cristobal will stick with Carter Davis at starting kicker.
In the Miami Hurricanes' historic victory over the Texas A&M Aggies in the first-round of the College Football Playoffs, with a final score of 10-3, there are many areas for improvement. However, the most notable aspect was the kicking game. Both teams combined for two field goals made out of six attempts.
It's worth noting that the strong winds at Kyle Field played a massive factor in those results.
The first came from Aggies graduate student Jared Zirkel, who had his 22-yard kick blocked by edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. They would move on to Randy Bond, who converted from 35 yards in the fourth quarter.
However, it was the Hurricanes' kicker, Carter Davi,s who got the worst of Kyle Field's windy conditions. The senior made one field goal out of four attempts, which came in a critical point of the game, following freshman wide receiver Malacho Toney's touchdown. He converted on the extra point.
Davis recorded the most missed field goals in College Football Playoff history. However, it was really the weather conditions rather than his own accuracy. Regardless of the individual results, the victory is what matters most. Mario Cristobal has clarified that the senior will remain the top kicker for the Hurricanes' depth chart.
"We don't see a reason to change," he said. "I know that was not the best outing. I think for all of us that were there, at the game, know that those conditions were extremely difficult to not only kick, but also throw the ball. Everything that we've seen in practice, the conditions, and the place we're going to play are more conducive to having the type of success that [Carter's] had, and we do trust him. We trust the operation and we will go forward with him."
However, Cristobal isn't stubborn to adjustments. He will put the players on the field who give the Hurricanes the best chance of winning. If a change at kicker, or any position, needs to be made, then it will.
"We always keep positions competitive," he added. "Bert Auburn has done a great job as well, so has Will Rocha. We will go into this week with [Davis] starting."
Throughout the regular season, the 22-year-old attempted 16 field goals and made 14, for an 87.5 percent accuracy. Davis will have an opportunity for redemption in the Cotton Bowl quarterfinals against the Ohio State Buckeyes, on New Year's Eve, Dec. 31st, 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time on ESPN.
More Miami Hurricanes News: