A 11-yard touchdown catch by freshman Malachi Toney with less than two minutes left gave No. 10 Miami a 10-3 victory over No. 7 Texas A&M on Saturday, securing the Hurricanes’ place in the College Football Playoff.
Miami’s Late Surge
Toney’s big play came after a moment that looked like a disaster for the freshman. He caught a pass, but Dalton Brooks knocked the ball out and Daymion Sanford recovered it on the Texas A&M 47 with about seven minutes remaining. Teammates surrounded the visibly upset Toney on the bench, encouraging him and trying to keep him positive.
The Hurricanes earned a second chance when Rueben Bain Jr. sacked Marcel Reed on two of three plays on the ensuing drive, forcing a punt. Mark Fletcher Jr. then broke off a career-long 56-yard run on the first play of the next drive, moving the ball to the Texas A&M 30 with roughly three minutes left. Miami used four additional runs by Fletcher to get into scoring position before Toney took a short toss from Carson Beck and dashed into the end zone.
Defensive Dominance
Miami’s defense forced a flurry of mistakes from the Aggies’ offense, sacking Reed seven times and flushing him out of the pocket repeatedly. Reed finished 25 of 39 for 257 yards but was unable to get the Aggies in the end zone for the first time this season. The defense also forced two interceptions, one of which came in the end zone when Bryce Fitzgerald tipped a pass and recovered it.
The defensive effort was highlighted by a 36-yard return by Fitzgerald that put Miami in the red zone. The Hurricanes’ pressure also forced a fumble early in the first quarter, but the team was unable to capitalize on that miscue.
Game Summary
The final score was 10-3 in favor of Miami. Mark Fletcher Jr. finished with a career-high 172 rushing yards, while Carson Beck completed 14 of 20 passes for a season-low 103 yards. Marcel Reed was held to 257 yards on 39 attempts.
The game also featured a series of special-teams moments. Carter Davis missed three field goals in gusty conditions, but his 21-yard kick early in the third quarter gave the Canes their first points of the game after a scoreless first half, a first in CFP history. The Aggies attempted a 22-yard field goal early in the second half, which was blocked by Bain.
In the second half, Miami opened with a nine-play, 72-yard drive capped by a 21-yard field goal, giving them a 3-0 lead. Keelan Marion had a 20-yard reception on that drive, and Fletcher added a 24-yard run on third-and-four to keep the drive alive.
The Aggies had a chance to tie the game after the touchdown, but the defensive play by Fitzgerald sealed the victory. The final defensive play of the game was a forced turnover that ended the Aggies’ rally.
Key Takeaways
- Miami’s defense forced seven sacks and two interceptions, shutting down Texas A&M’s powerful offense.
- Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed for a career-high 172 yards, propelling the Hurricanes to a CFP berth.
- The Hurricanes’ late touchdown by Malachi Toney sealed a 10-3 win and earned the team a spot in the Cotton Bowl against No. 2 Ohio State on December 31.
Miami’s win confirms that the Hurricanes belong in the College Football Playoff, while Texas A&M will have a long offseason to figure out what went wrong in their disappointing quick exit. The 12-team CFP field is set, and first-round matchups begin December 19-20.
