During the Hurricanes’ 42-38 loss to Syracuse on Saturday, Sebastian the Ibis, the University of Miami’s mascot, was embroiled in an unexpected sideline dispute. Even though Miami’s chances of qualifying for the ACC Championship were shattered on the field, Ashley Wenskoski, the sports anchor for CNY Central, made a widely shared charge that ignited social media following the game.
A Syracuse alumnus named Wenskoski said on X that Sebastian came up to her during the game. She wrote: “Sebastian the Ibis just kneeled down and asked for my number mid-drive,” “Feels like he has bigger things to worry about with his team on the ropes in the 4th quarter at the Dome…but who am I to say.”
Sebastian the Ibis (Miami’s mascot) just kneeled down and asked for my number mid-drive
Feels like he has bigger things to worry about with his team on the ropes in the 4th quarter at the Dome…but who am I to say
— Ashley Wenskoski (@AshleyWenskTV) November 30, 2024
Fans joined the debate to provide their commentary, frequently at Miami’s cost, as the post soon gathered traction.Sebastian responded by publishing a lighthearted but forceful rejoinder on social media.
The Instagram mascot joked: “B.S. stands for Big Stop, which is what we needed in the fourth quarter,” “Stay focused, folks. Let’s not let distractions take away from the game.”
Reactions to the post were mixed; some fans defended Sebastian, while others intensified their lighthearted critique of Miami’s performance. Jokes centered on the Hurricanes’ defense, which gave Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord 380 passing yards and three touchdowns.
