Could this be the week the Miami Hurricanes finally get two key starters back on the field? According to coach Mario Cristobal, one is more likely to return than the other. Speaking on WQAM’s “The Joe Rose Show” on Monday morning, Cristobal confirmed that sophomore defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. is “a go” for No. 8 Miami’s game against the Cal Golden Bears on Saturday, with a 10:30 p.m. kickoff in Berkeley, California.
However, fifth-year redshirt junior Jalen Rivers remains a gametime decision. Neither Bain nor Rivers has played since the season opener against the Florida Gators on August 30.
Bain, the reigning ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, logged just three snaps in Miami’s 41-17 win over Florida before sustaining what Cristobal described as a “soft tissue issue,” initially expected to sideline him for a few weeks. Rivers played the entire opener but has missed all subsequent games due to an undisclosed injury.
Bain participated in early warmups before Miami’s 38-34 comeback win over Virginia Tech, running full sprints under the supervision of a staff member. Despite his progress, the team chose to hold him out for another week. “He looked great,” Cristobal said of Bain. “It was right on the edge, but we chose to prioritize his health.”
In Bain’s absence, Tyler Baron and Elijah Alston have stepped up at defensive end, with Baron leading the team in tackles for loss (7.5) and Alston contributing 3.5 tackles for loss. On the offensive line, junior Markel Bell has filled in for Rivers at left tackle for the past four games, showing some growing pains but helping maintain stability. The line has featured Bell at left tackle, Matt McCoy at left guard, Zach Carpenter at center, Anez Cooper at right guard, and Francis Mauigoa at right tackle.
