The sixth-ranked Miami Hurricanes defeated the Central Michigan Chippewas 52-3 on Sept. 26, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. University of Miami quarterback Darian Mensah completed 23 of 27 passes for 338 yards and three touchdowns and added a 5-yard rushing score. Miami improved to 4-0, while Central Michigan fell to 2-2.
Miami failed to score on its opening drive but found the end zone on six consecutive possessions afterward. The Hurricanes combined an efficient passing attack with a defense that held Central Michigan to 158 total yards, including 21 rushing yards. The victory also completed Miami’s first month of the season and set up the start of Atlantic Coast Conference play.
Miami’s depth delivers on offense
Miami played without Mark Fletcher Jr., Marty Brown and Joshua Moore. Ahmad Moten Sr. was also unavailable, while Armondo Blount was limited. Those absences created opportunities for other Hurricanes to contribute in the 49-point victory.
Freshman Javian Mallory made the first start of his collegiate career and scored Miami’s first touchdown on a 4-yard carry during the Hurricanes’ second drive. Chris Wheatley-Humphrey added 104 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. It was the first 100-yard game of Wheatley-Humphrey’s Miami career.
Miami also distributed the ball through the air, with six different receivers making catches and 11 different Hurricanes recording receptions. Malachi Toney led the way with six catches for 120 yards and a touchdown. His 8-yard touchdown reception with 9:45 remaining in the first half extended Miami’s lead to 21-3, and it marked his third 100-yard game of the season and eighth at Miami.
“I feel like I played [well],” Toney said. “I can play better in different things that people may not see. In the film room, there’s always ways you can get better.”
Cooper Barkate and Daylyn Upshaw also caught touchdown passes in the victory. Vandrevius Jacobs and Somourian Wingo were among the other Miami receivers who contributed to the passing game. The spread-out production helped the Hurricanes remain effective despite Moore’s absence.
Darian Mensah continues efficient start
Mensah completed 23 of 27 passes for 338 yards and three touchdowns. He also scored on a 5-yard run at the end of a nine-play, 97-yard drive just before halftime, pushing Miami’s advantage to 35-3. The performance gave the Hurricanes production through both the air and on the ground from their quarterback.
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal credited Mensah’s pocket presence and his ability to use his legs when plays became difficult. “He extended plays, great pocket presence, protected pretty well,” Cristobal said. “But a couple of times when it got sticky, he found a way to use his feet tonight in an awesome manner, especially right before the half.”
Mensah also credited Miami’s depth after the Hurricanes responded to their personnel challenges. “We’re deep, and I think those guys are also hungry, and I think they did a great job of taking advantage of their opportunity tonight,” Mensah said. “But as the season goes on, we’re going to have to have more guys step up as well.”
Hurricanes defense controls Central Michigan
Central Michigan scored a field goal on its opening drive, putting Miami in its first deficit of the season. The Chippewas did not maintain that momentum, as Miami kept them from establishing a consistent offensive rhythm for the rest of the game. The Hurricanes held Central Michigan to 21 rushing yards.
Miami forced three turnovers, including a fumble recovered by freshman safety JJ Dunnigan. The takeaway led to points when Toney scored his second-quarter touchdown. Miami also recorded eight tackles for loss and four sacks, both season highs.
Marquise Lightfoot finished with four tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. Justin Scott recorded two tackles and a tackle for loss. “Winning the turnover ratio is kind of the key to winning the game,” Scott said. “We’re trying to win the turnover battle week in, and week out.”
“That was just our standard,” Lightfoot said. “We came in knowing that they prioritize running the ball, so we just wanted to stop it.” Cristobal also said Miami swarmed and tackled better, noting that defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman grades those areas strictly. The defensive performance gave Miami season highs in both tackles for loss and sacks.
ACC play begins at Clemson
Miami will travel to Clemson next week for an Atlantic Coast Conference game and a nationally televised primetime matchup. Clemson has won three consecutive games, including a 24-10 victory over California. The Tigers entered the matchup after responding to a season-opening loss at LSU.
Miami will carry its 4-0 record into the conference opener. Lightfoot said the Hurricanes will maintain their weekly focus after the Central Michigan game. “It’s just a 1-0 mentality,” Lightfoot said. “Every game, we focused on that game, that week. Now, Central Michigan’s over with and we’re going to be focusing on Clemson and just [that] 1-0 mentality. We’re going to treat it exactly like we treat every game.”
FSB Take
Miami’s depth was the defining factor in a game the Hurricanes controlled after their opening possession. Mallory made his first collegiate start, Wheatley-Humphrey surpassed 100 rushing yards, Toney produced 120 receiving yards and Mensah accounted for four touchdowns. Miami’s defense complemented that production by limiting Central Michigan to 158 total yards and setting season highs in tackles for loss and sacks.
The result gives the Hurricanes a 4-0 record heading into their first ACC game. The Clemson matchup will be Miami’s next test, with Mensah’s passing efficiency, the running game’s production and the defense’s ability to create pressure and turnovers carrying into the primetime meeting.
Source: Original report