Mario Cristobal offers an encouraging injury update a week before national title game, but has a cloudy outlook for one notable Cane
The Canes have mostly good news on the injury front with a week to go until the national title game.
The Miami Hurricanes came out on the right side of a back-and-forth Fiesta Bowl, topping Ole Miss 31-27 to advance to the national championship game against Indiana on Jan. 19 at Hard Rock Stadium.
However, while Miami got the win, a number of notable Hurricane players suffered or aggravated injuries during the game. DE Akheem Mesidor suffered an elbow injury, while DT Ahmad Moten, Sr. was ailing with an ankle injury during the game. CB OJ Frederique got banged up a bit, and TE Elija Lofton left the game with an upper body injury and didn’t return.
Per Mario Cristobal during his Monday press conference, the first three appear on track to play against the Hoosiers. The outlook wasn’t as clear for Lofton though.
Mario Cristobal updates injury ahead of national championship game; TE Elija Lofton’s status is up in the air
“From an injury standpoint, I believe we’re coming out a lot like we went into last game, and a couple of guys gimped out of the game,” Cristobal said. “Mesidor is in great condition. He hurt his elbow for a second, and he’s already full throttle. Ahmad Moten was full throttle today. What was the other one? I know OJ came out. Lofton will be the one that’s in question. That would be the one that’s in question. But aside from that, I actually feel really good about the rest.”
CB Damari Brown was also called day-to-day by Cristobal. Brown has been out since the Hurricanes’ regular season finale against Pitt due to injury.
Lofton took a hard shot to the shoulder region from an Ole Miss defender while hauling in a pass during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl. He went to the locker room, and he never returned to the game. Even though he doesn’t make a huge impact in the passing game, he’s still the top receiving tight end on the team with 23 catches for 218 yards and three touchdowns.
However, it looks like the Hurricanes’ talented defense could have all hands on deck as they try to stop Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza and the Hoosiers’ talented offensive attack next Monday.
College Football
Miami Hurricanes already at a disadvantage going into national championship game thanks to a rule that needs to change
Miami will be without one of its most important defenders going into its biggest game in decades.
