Take a look at what Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said about Fernando Mendoza, the quarterback for Cal, and their common history with the Golden Bears. It is significant that Cal has its own connections to Dade County, especially as Miami gets ready to move to Strawberry Canyon, symbolizing the 305 area.
Since he excelled at Miami (Fla.) Columbus High, Cal’s quarterback Fernando Mendoza—who is already well-known for his ties to South Beach—will soon play against the university that never extended a scholarship offer to him.
However, Mendoza has more extensive ties to Miami and Columbus. He and Mario Cristobal, the head coach of the Hurricanes, have a unique bond. MENDOZA AND CRISTOBAL ARE LINKED, BUT HOW?
Both are natives of Miami and former Columbus High School students, therefore they have similar background.
Cristobal remembers a former member of Mendoza’s family from their high school days.
There is undoubtedly a backstory there—I am familiar with the Mendoza family. On Monday, Cristobal informed reporters, “In high school, I played with his father.” After receiving his degree from Columbus in 1988, Cristobal joined the University of Miami’s football team and helped turn it into a national powerhouse, winning titles in 1989 and 1991. During Miami’s Big East tenure, he was also recognized as an All-Conference player.
CRISTOBAL’S POINT OF VIEW ON CAL’S OFFENSE AND MENDOZA’S PERFORMANCE
Despite the Hurricanes’ unusual voyage to the West Coast for this Saturday’s game, Cristobal is familiar with the football team’s approach because he played against the Bears while at Oregon.
They were by far the hardest-working and most physically fit teams we faced in the West. Every game was exciting to watch,” Cristobal remarked, citing a memorable Oct. 15, 2021, game in Eugene in which Cal had eight chances to tie or win the game inside the 10-yard line, but Oregon held on for a 24-17 triumph.
