Saturday highlights difference between Dan Lanning and Mario Cristobal's game management styles
On opposite sides of the country, two programs tied together by one head coach were enjoying very different gameday experiences.
In the Pacific Northwest, Autzen Stadium was rocking as the Oregon Ducks were putting the hammer down on what was a top-15 BYU squad. Quarterback Bo Nix fired deep. Oregon ran hard and controlled the line of scrimmage. The defense made splash plays. And the Ducks opened up a 38-7 lead before going on to win 41-20.
Down in College Station, Texas, Miami lost to a Texas A&M squad with a number of suspended players, a reported budding culture issue in the locker room, and a quarterback controversy. The Hurricanes managed three field goals and nothing more in a 17-9 loss to the Aggies.
With 3:20 to play in the game, the ball just shy of midfield, and the Canes trailing by eight points, Mario Cristobal lined up a punt.
One Oregon fan was quick to point out the distinction between the former Duck head coach and the current guy — who emboldened his offense to go for it on fourth-and-1 at their own 30 in the first half on Saturday. Oregon converted and later scored to go up 24-7. Miami ended up getting the ball back after punting, one last shot at trying to tie the game, but turned it over on downs after five plays and 17 yards.
Dan Lanning went for a 4th and 1 on his own 30 today, up 10.
Mario Cristobal punted with 3 min left in a game down 8— Wyatt Gladden (@wyattgladden) September 18, 2022
Plenty of others noticed the game management style that so often grated against Oregon fans.
Mario Cristobal's game management has been horrific.
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) September 18, 2022
Mario Cristobal coached to lose close (not win), and comes away with a "one score" loss. Mission Accomplished
— CFBNumbers (@CFBNumbers) September 18, 2022
Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit are tearing Cristobal and his game management to shreds right now. This is like crack to an Oregon fan.
— Zachary Neel (@zacharycneel) September 18, 2022
https://twitter.com/alex_kirshner/status/1571339478584672256
Unfortunately for Miami, Mario Cristobal brought his game management skills from Oregon.
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) September 18, 2022
per @ESPNStatsInfo, Miami completed just FOUR passes on throws 5+ yards down the field.
That is just brutal.
— 💫🅰️♈️🆔 (@ADavidHaleJoint) September 18, 2022
The broadcast is constantly calling out Cristobal for his clock management. Ducks fans are over here like "We told you so."
— Chris Burkhardt (@ChrisJBurkhardt) September 18, 2022