Miami Hurricanes’ Mario Cristobal on Florida State: ‘Greatest Rivalry in Sports’

MIAMI, Fla. – The No. 3 Miami Hurricanes will face the Florida State Seminoles for the 71st meeting in college football history – a Sunshine State showdown at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday.

It’s one of the most iconic rivalries in sports, “the greatest,” according to head coach Mario Cristobal. He has experience facing the Seminoles as a player (3-1) and on the sidelines (2-2). Although both programs are on different trajectories this season, it doesn’t take away the meaning behind the matchup.

“I’m always going to be biased,” Cristobal said at Monday’s media availability. “I remember watching it growing up and being a part of it. The intensity and passion of the fan bases. I believe it’s unmatched.”

The history between the Hurricanes and Seminoles goes back to Oct. 5, 1951 – the very first meeting. Both powerhouses combine for eight National Championships. 

During the course of the rivalry, an incident occurred involving Sebastian the Ibis, the Hurricanes’ mascot. John Routh, the man behind the suit at the time, was detained inside Doak Campbell Stadium for carrying a fire extinguisher, with plans to put out the flaming spear that Chief Osceola (Seminoles mascot) plants in the middle of the field before kickoff. He wound up spraying an officer in the chest with water, then was pushed towards the fence, with several others arriving on the scene.

Although the Hurricanes lost the game 24-10, they won the National Championship that same season (1989) – when Cristobal was a freshman.

The Seminoles have a richer history when it comes to Atlantic Coast Conference success – 16 titles, including nine consecutive from 1992 to 2000. However, the Hurricanes have the edge in National Championships, 5 to 3.

Last season, the Coral Gables program faced both the Seminoles and Florida Gators, beating both in-state opponents dominantly. The Hurricanes went back-to-back in winning the in-state Florida Cup. They traveled to Tallahassee and won 28-22. It could be considered Malachi Toney’s breakout game: 107 yards on seven catches and two touchdowns. The former freshman phenom has taken steps further as a player since then.

The Hurricanes are coming off a bye week and a 5-0 (ACC 3-0) record ahead of the Seminoles matchup this Saturday. They lead the Football Bowl Subdivision in total offense, scoring offense, rushing defense, scoring defense, and completion percentage. However, Cristobal doesn’t allow any stats or record to dictate the Hurricanes’ confidence; rather, it is the work being put in behind the scenes on Greentree Practice Fields and the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. E.T. and will be televised on ESPN.

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