Miami honored the 2001 national championship team, brought back the throwback uniforms, and delivered a performance that fit the occasion. The Hurricanes beat Pitt 52–23 to improve to 7-0, showing why they are the No. 1 team in the country. Malachi Toney put together another ridiculous game, the defensive line kept impressing, and Miami gave us more reasons to be excited about where this program is headed.
1. Malachi Toney Is the Most Valuable Player in the Country
Toney finished with 16 catches, 194 receiving yards, and three touchdowns, setting Miami’s single-game receptions record. Whenever Miami needed a play, he delivered. At this point, I believe he is the most valuable player in the country.
It is more than the numbers. Miami keeps turning to him, and defenses know that still hasn't been enough to stop him. Whether the offense needs to keep a drive alive or create an explosive play, Toney keeps answering.
With the way he is producing this early in his career, he WILL shatter all of Miami’s receiving records. Considering the receivers who have come through this program, that says plenty about how special he is.
2. Javian Mallory Deserves a Bigger Share of the Carries
Mallory finished with 47 rushing yards and two touchdowns on seven carries, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. Right now, I think his running style fits what this offense needs better than Fletcher’s.
The offensive line is not getting the same push it did last year. Mallory’s agility lets him work around that. His ability to change direction and find space helps the run game when the blocking isn't creating much room.
I am not saying Mallory needs to take over as the starter. I would like to see a more balanced carry split, with Miami willing to ride the hot hand. Fletcher still has an important role, but Mallory has earned more opportunities. Sharing the workload could also help keep Fletcher healthy for the playoffs if Miami goes where we expect it to.
3. The Defensive Line Is Helping Hold an Injured Defense Together
Miami’s defensive line has been great, and with the injuries in the secondary, this team needs it to be. Without OJ and Xavier Lucas, Miami is leaning on its depth without its top two corners. The best way to help those young defensive backs is to keep the quarterback uncomfortable so they do not have to hold up in coverage forever.
Marquise Lightfoot looks like a freak. His athleticism jumps off the screen, and Damon Wilson gives Miami another elite edge presence. Inside, Ahmad Moten and Justin Scott look like first-round talents. Threats come from all angles, making it hard for an offense to account for everyone.
Armondo Blount deserves more recognition, too. To me, he is the glue guy and the unsung hero of this group. Lightfoot, Wilson, Moten and Scott get plenty of attention, but Blount is a big part of why it all works. With the secondary shorthanded, Miami needs this entire front to keep setting the tone.
4. Mario Cristobal Has Miami Looking Like Miami Again
Mario Cristobal made a statement. With all the parity and upsets over the last two weeks, Miami has kept winning. The Hurricanes are the No. 1 team in the country, and this offense looks almost unstoppable. Doing it while honoring the 2001 team made this performance even better.
The legends are coming back, the team has its swagger back, and Cristobal keeps bringing in talent. Between the recruiting and how well Miami has hit on portal additions, there is a lot to feel good about beyond this season. These are the kinds of Saturdays we have wanted to see again, and I believe this program is only going up.
Miami now heads to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina on Saturday, October 31. The offensive line still has work to do, and the injuries in the secondary remain something to watch. But with Toney delivering, young players stepping up, and the defensive front making life difficult for opposing quarterbacks, Miami has plenty working in its favor. Now the Hurricanes need to take that same standard on the road and keep winning.
Miami honored the 2001 national championship team, brought back the throwback uniforms, and delivered a performance that fit the occasion. The Hurricanes beat Pitt 52–23 to improve to 7-0, showing why they are the No. 1 team in the country. Malachi Toney put together another ridiculous game, the defensive line kept impressing, and Miami gave us more reasons to be excited about where this program is headed.
1. Malachi Toney Is the Most Valuable Player in the Country
Toney finished with 16 catches, 194 receiving yards, and three touchdowns, setting Miami’s single-game receptions record. Whenever Miami needed a play, he delivered. At this point, I believe he is the most valuable player in the country.
It is more than the numbers. Miami keeps turning to him, and defenses know that still hasn't been enough to stop him. Whether the offense needs to keep a drive alive or create an explosive play, Toney keeps answering.
With the way he is producing this early in his career, he WILL shatter all of Miami’s receiving records. Considering the receivers who have come through this program, that says plenty about how special he is.
2. Javian Mallory Deserves a Bigger Share of the Carries
Mallory finished with 47 rushing yards and two touchdowns on seven carries, averaging 6.7 yards per carry. Right now, I think his running style fits what this offense needs better than Fletcher’s.
The offensive line is not getting the same push it did last year. Mallory’s agility lets him work around that. His ability to change direction and find space helps the run game when the blocking isn't creating much room.
I am not saying Mallory needs to take over as the starter. I would like to see a more balanced carry split, with Miami willing to ride the hot hand. Fletcher still has an important role, but Mallory has earned more opportunities. Sharing the workload could also help keep Fletcher healthy for the playoffs if Miami goes where we expect it to.
3. The Defensive Line Is Helping Hold an Injured Defense Together
Miami’s defensive line has been great, and with the injuries in the secondary, this team needs it to be. Without OJ and Xavier Lucas, Miami is leaning on its depth without its top two corners. The best way to help those young defensive backs is to keep the quarterback uncomfortable so they do not have to hold up in coverage forever.
Marquise Lightfoot looks like a freak. His athleticism jumps off the screen, and Damon Wilson gives Miami another elite edge presence. Inside, Ahmad Moten and Justin Scott look like first-round talents. Threats come from all angles, making it hard for an offense to account for everyone.
Armondo Blount deserves more recognition, too. To me, he is the glue guy and the unsung hero of this group. Lightfoot, Wilson, Moten and Scott get plenty of attention, but Blount is a big part of why it all works. With the secondary shorthanded, Miami needs this entire front to keep setting the tone.
4. Mario Cristobal Has Miami Looking Like Miami Again
Mario Cristobal made a statement. With all the parity and upsets over the last two weeks, Miami has kept winning. The Hurricanes are the No. 1 team in the country, and this offense looks almost unstoppable. Doing it while honoring the 2001 team made this performance even better.
The legends are coming back, the team has its swagger back, and Cristobal keeps bringing in talent. Between the recruiting and how well Miami has hit on portal additions, there is a lot to feel good about beyond this season. These are the kinds of Saturdays we have wanted to see again, and I believe this program is only going up.
Miami now heads to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina on Saturday, October 31. The offensive line still has work to do, and the injuries in the secondary remain something to watch. But with Toney delivering, young players stepping up, and the defensive front making life difficult for opposing quarterbacks, Miami has plenty working in its favor. Now the Hurricanes need to take that same standard on the road and keep winning.
