Miami’s Mauigoa prayed and said God gave him ‘a sign.’ He’s back for Pinstripe Bowl, ‘24

The “run it back’’ phenomenon for the Miami Hurricanes, now preparing to face Rutgers on Thursday in the Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl, began three years ago when quarterback D’Eriq King announced his decision with a Dec. 26, 2020 video.

King, named the quarterbacks coach at SMU last Wednesday, lit the “match that set everything on fire,’’ former Hurricane receivers Mike Harley said back then, as the video became contagious and started a caravan of Canes — former starters Harley, Bubba Bolden, Jarrid Williams, Jon Ford, Cam’Ron Harris, Zach McCloud and Lou Hedley among them — announcing that they would run it back, too, instead of entering the NFL Draft.

So when accomplished Hurricanes junior Francisco “Kiko’’ Mauigoa announced Dec. 9 he has “unfinished business’’ and will “run this back’’ in 2024, UM fans likely wondered who would be next. Only left tackle Jalen Rivers, another key starter, followed suit on Dec. 18.

Third-year safeties James Williams and Kam Kinchens, third-year defensive tackle Leonard Taylor III, fourth-year left guard Javion Cohen and fifth-year center Matt Lee announced they are entering the NFL Draft.

Mauigoa is obviously his own man, and the same day as Rivers’ announcement, said it was a “rough’’ decision-making process. “Me and my family were talking about it,’’ Mauigoa said recently. “We were praying about it. God gave me a sign and my family a sign to come back.

“I see this program going far beyond imagined, and I want to be a part of it.’’

Mauigoa, a 6-3, 230-pound transfer from Washington State, is a second-team All-ACC honoree who is second on the team with 70 tackles, leads UM with 17 tackles for loss and is tied for the team lead in sacks, with 7 1/2.

“Just glad he decided to stay with us,’’ UM defensive coordinator Lance Guidry said. “This year coming up will be a really big year for him. He’ll know the defense better, have more growth. He’ll really catapult himself to the next level and maybe some higher rounds’’ in the draft.

The Canes (7-5) went into the week ranked 27th of 130 FBS teams in total defense (324.1 yards allowed per game), 10th in rushing defense (97.1), 13th in sacks (35), 19th in tackles for loss (83) and 38th in scoring defense (22.1).

Rutgers (6-6) is 120th in total offense (307.4 yards a game) and 56th in rushing offense (165.4).

Big Ten leading rusher Kyle Monangai announced this month that he will return to Ruters for 2024, making Mauigoa’s bowl presence integral. Monangai is 28th nationally in rushing yards with 1,099.

An obviously major factor in Mauigoa’s return: younger brother Francis Mauigoa, UM’s starting true freshman right tackle and a 6-6, 315-pound 2023 freshman All-American by multiple outlets.

“Being by my brother is something you don’t want to take for granted, and I want to finish my last year playing beside him. ...He matured really quick, and I think he has enjoyed the experience of college in his first year. He’s excited. He loves playing football, and he won’t do it anywhere else but here.”

Mauigoa said coach Mario Cristobal gave him the freedom to do what he thought best for his future.

“We had a talk. He’s just a great leader,’’ Mauigoa said. “He wants the best for the team. ...He gave me and my family time to think about it. It wasn’t any other factor but me and my family making this decision for [what was] best for my future and for the Miami Hurricanes’ future.

“I feel like there’s a lot to improve on, either getting in film time with pre-reads before each play or getting certain skills to improve my game. There’s still a long way to go for me.’’

No matter what happens Thursday, Mauigoa said the Canes are on their way to a successful season. “For this team it’s getting close,’’ he said. “There are just missing parts, and I know we’re going to get them. It’s going to be a great team next year.’’