The seventh-ranked Miami Hurricanes scored on 11 of their first 12 possessions and defeated Florida A&M 77-7 on Sept. 10, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla. Miami improved to 2-0, while Florida A&M fell to 1-2. The victory marked Miami’s 20th consecutive home-opening win.
Miami finished with a school-record 856 yards of total offense and an ACC-record 42 first downs. The Hurricanes’ 77 points tied the school record set against Savannah State in 2013 and 2018. Head coach Mario Cristobal said the team needed to continue improving after the home-opening victory.
“We did a lot and just want to see our guys play fast and free and improve,” Cristobal said. “That was the most important thing. [Going] 1-0 is always the goal, but in college football, every single week you better get better and I think in some respects, we did that tonight.”
Darian Mensah directs efficient Miami offense
Darian Mensah completed 14 of 15 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns. Through Miami’s first two games, Mensah has completed 41 of 45 attempts for 653 yards and eight touchdowns. He earned three national honors after Miami’s 45-6 win at Stanford, including a Davey O’Brien Great 8 nod.
“It means a lot. Obviously, I wanted to play well,” Mensah said. “Canes fans were very supportive of me when I first got here, and so to give that back on the field with my play means a lot to me. … I wouldn’t say [it’s] pressure off my shoulders. I’d just say that’s what I came here to do and I’m doing it.”
Malachi Toney led Miami with four catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. Mark Fletcher Jr. added seven carries for 105 yards and two touchdowns, scoring on runs of 46 yards and 1 yard. Toney was named the AP National Player of the Week after his performance at Stanford.
Girard Pringle Jr. and Javian Mallory also scored rushing touchdowns. Mallory had 10 carries for 142 yards and two touchdowns, including the first touchdown of his Miami career on an 11-yard run before adding a 52-yard score.
“It’s just a blessing being able to get in the game while being in the best running back room in the country,” Mallory said. “I feel like the older guys have all helped me from my first day here during the playoffs. They have all [taken] me under their wing, and they’ve guided me to get where I am today. I’m just very thankful for everybody.”
Redshirt freshman quarterback Luke Nickel completed all eight of his passes for 144 yards and three touchdowns. Somourian Wingo and Vance Spafford caught the first touchdowns of their collegiate careers. Miami’s touchdown receptions came from Joshua Moore, Malachi Toney, Cooper Barkate, Somourian Wingo, Vandrevius Jacobs and Vance Spafford, while Darian Mensah, Luke Nickel and freshman quarterback Dereon Coleman delivered passes to 16 Miami pass catchers.
Miami defense holds Florida A&M to 107 yards
Miami held Florida A&M to 107 total yards, including 37 rushing yards. Freshman JJ Dunnigan made the first start of his Miami career and led the Hurricanes with five tackles, while Armondo Blount recorded four tackles. Marquise Lightfoot and Herbert Scroggins III each recorded a sack.
“That means a lot, because that’s our standard and that’s something we want to live by, keeping people out of the end zone, protecting Cane Nation,” Dunnigan said. “That’s what we live by.”
Miami Hurricanes football heads to Wake Forest
Miami will play at Wake Forest next Friday in Winston-Salem. The game will be the Hurricanes’ next conference road game after the home-opening victory.
“We’ve got a good Wake Forest team coming up this week,” Mensah said. “I mean, it’s awesome that things are going well, but I think adversity is when your team grows and shows the true colors of your team.”
Source: Original report