Malachi Toney’s 11-yard touchdown in the final minutes turned a tense showdown into a 10-3 victory for the No. 10-seeded Miami Hurricanes over No. 7 Texas A&M.
Miami’s Dominant Performance
The Hurricanes finished the game with a 10-3 score, thanks in large part to a 172-yard rushing effort from Mark Fletcher Jr., a career-high for the freshman. Fletcher’s 56-yard run on the first play of the second-half drive moved the team to the A&M 30-yard line with about three minutes left. He added four more runs before the offense settled into a scoring position. Miami’s offense also benefited from a 55-yard punt return by Toney that brought the ball to the 25-yard line, although a tackle by Marcus Ratcliffe prevented a touchdown.
On the defensive side, the Hurricanes sacked Marcel Reed seven times and forced him into a mistake-filled performance. Reed finished 25 of 39 for 257 yards but was unable to reach the end zone for the first time this season. The defense also intercepted Reed twice, including a second-time interception in the end zone by Bryce Fitzgerald that sealed the game.
Toney’s Game-Changing Touchdown
Toney’s pivotal play came after a sequence that had looked disastrous for the freshman. He had just made a reception when Dalton Brooks knocked the ball out of his hands, and Daymion Sanford recovered it on the Texas A&M 47-yard line with about seven minutes left. The Hurricanes’ teammates surrounded Toney on the bench, encouraging him and attempting to keep him positive.
The offense earned another opportunity when Rueben Bain Jr. sacked Reed on two of three plays on the ensuing drive, forcing a punt. Following the punt, Fletcher’s 56-yard run set up a short toss from Carson Beck. Toney burst into the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown with less than two minutes remaining, a play that proved decisive.
Defensive Mastery and Special-Teams Highlights
Miami’s defense not only contained the Aggies’ offense but also created turnovers. After the touchdown, the Hurricanes forced a punt, and later on, a 35-yard field-goal attempt by Carter Davis was blocked by Bain. This was Miami’s first blocked field goal since the season opener against Bethune-Cookman in 2022.
Special teams also played a role. A 59-yard reception by Mario Craver moved the Aggies to the 11-yard line early in the second quarter, but the Hurricanes could not advance, and a 22-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by Bain. Toney’s 55-yard punt return and the fake punt by Tyler White were notable, though the latter did not result in a touchdown.
Key Takeaways
- Miami’s Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed for a career-high 172 yards, while Malachi Toney capped the game with an 11-yard touchdown.
- The Hurricanes’ defense forced seven sacks and two interceptions, limiting Texas A&M’s offense to 257 yards.
- With the win, Miami secured a spot in the College Football Playoff and will face No. 2 seed Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31.
The victory confirms Miami’s place in the playoff and highlights the Aggies’ disappointing exit from the tournament.
