The Miami Hurricanes topped the Florida State Seminoles tonight in overtime at Hard Rock Stadium, 43-35. I have no words. Well, I have a few words. What a game. What a stress test. Was it disappointing as a Canes fan thinking this year’s team is a monster? Yes. However, after what happened today, I think the Miami Hurricanes football program and all the fans are happy to go home a winner. Holy crap.
Let’s get to the three stars of the game.
1. Malachi Toney
Malachi. Toney. Wow. There’s not much left to say about one of the best players in program history. That’s obviously not hyperbole, many Canes fans and college football pundits would say the same thing. Still, Toney comes up when it matters most, which is what endears him most to Miami fans. Big time players make big time plays in big time games. Malachi Toney epitomizes that. The stat line: 11 receptions, 154 yards, two touchdowns, two rushes for 31 yards. He deserves to be in New York for the Heisman Trophy presentation.
MALACHI TONEY MASTERCLASS!!! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/E21QWcHp7t
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) October 18, 2026
2. Javian Mallory
This dude is quickly becoming one of my favorite players on offense. He is Frank Gore 2.0 (pre-injury), minus a little speed. I love the way he runs. He’s not afraid of contact, but can beat his man to the corner. What a stud. Also, we need him! I don’t know if another running back on the team could have made the runs he did in the second half. As much as I love Mark Fletcher Jr., (and he will be a HUGE part of the offense OF COURSE) Mallory has a different gear. Or more juice. Or better wiggle. However it can be described, Javian Mallory deserves to be a big part of the Miami Hurricanes offense moving forward this season. Stats: 13 rushes, 108 yards, two touchdowns.
Javian Mallory TOUCHDOWN!!!!
— Grant Reacts (@GrantReacts1) October 18, 2026
2ND OT incoming pic.twitter.com/zfvM9iwAMJ
3. Bryce Fitzgerald
The sophomore showed his toughness tonight. When I saw the replay of him jogging off the field in the first quarter, I had OJ Frederique at Stanford flashbacks. To see Fitzgerald come back in the game multiple times at less than 100% was everything that optimizes Miami Hurricanes football. That’s why it was so fitting for him to get the game-sealing interception. And yes, it was an interception. And yes, both the final two FSU offensive plays were way more successful than they should have been. Corey Hetherman has some work to do this week. (Sigh). Nevertheless, #3 was a true warrior tonight. He was only credited with one tackled tonight. Who cares?! Warrior.
Just asked Bryce Fitzgerald about this play to finish the game in the endzone. He said he got it using a basketball mentality, “my ball or no one’s ball.” pic.twitter.com/ktwZrRo7D0
— Will Manso (@WillManso) October 18, 2026
Honorable mention:
Daylyn Upshaw – Four catches for 91 yards. All of them seemed to be completely necessary to win. His fourth-quarter contested catch on the sideline was clutch. I know he had a miscommunication or two with Darian Mensah, but overall played really well tonight.
Ethan O’Connor – The punch-out on Trey Wisner might have been the play of the game. I continue to love how this dude plays.
JJ Dunnigan – He finished with 7 total tackles, three solo, and one TFL. My favorite play of his was the way he tackled the FSU player trying to recover the Wisner fumble in the fourth quarter that allowed Xavier Lucas to jump on it. Smart move. Dunnigan was also banged up tonight. Dude is a warrior.
Who were your three stars of the game? Let us know in the comments below.