Three Stars: Miami vs Pitt

The Miami Hurricanes smoked the Pitt Panthers today in Heinz Field (that’s what I know that stadium as), 38-7. The offense looked smooth, the defense was borderline dominant, and the special teams were above average. Miami is absolutely one of the best twelve teams in the country. Coach Cristobal’s squad should be in the CFP, no doubt. Oh, and Miami now has back-to-back ten-win seasons for the first time in over twenty years.

I am going to do my best to enjoy today’s beatdown of a rival and not think about all the different ways the CFP committee can screw the Canes before the final twelve-team field is set.

Let’s get to the three stars of the game.

1. Malachi Toney

The 18-year old superstar showed why he’s one of the best players in all of college football, regardless of class. Toney broke Miami’s freshman receiving record today. It’s appropriate that he has that mark now. Malachi finished with 13 receptions for 126 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t stop there though, rushing the ball five times for 30 yards. Still not done. Toney threw a nine-yard touchdown pass to tight end Elijah Lofton in the second quarter. This young man can truly do it all. Toney is now only two receptions away from breaking Miami’s single-season reception record set by Xavier Restrepo in 2023. The television viewing world deserves to see Malachi Toney play in the CFP.

2. Carson Beck

Miami’s signal caller kept his hot streak going today. He went 23-29 for 267 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Beck was accurate, calm, and didn’t let the cold weather affect him one bit. The scoring pass to Toney just before halftime was perfect. Overall, Carson looked downfield when the opportunities were there, but never forced anything. The short touchdown throw to CharMar Brown was a great play call by Dawson and executed perfectly by Beck. Those two are in a groove right now. Oh, and Beck ended the game with a dime of a touchdown pass to CJ Daniels down the sideline. It was a nice cap to a month straight of really good quarterback play by Carson Beck.

3. The defense

Four sacks, six TFL, one turnover forced, 30 rushing yards allowed, 4/13 third downs allowed, and most importantly, 7 points allowed. What a way to end the regular season. First-year defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman has been a revelation. The guy is smart, intense, and has gotten the most out of a group of talented players. The defensive line was applying pressure all day with Bain, Mesidor, Moten, and Scott doing the heavy lifting. At linebacker, Bissainthe, Toure, and Aguirre held their own against the dynamic Pitt passing game while also helping stop the run. On the back end, Fitzgerald, Poyser, Thomas, Brown, Lucas, and O’Connor kept receivers in front of them and tackled well to limit Pitt’s runs after catches. If Blay and Frederique can return, Miami’s defense only gets deeper and more scary.

Honorable mention:

Girard Pringle Jr. – He led the Canes with 82 rushing yards on 10 carries. Pringle showed wiggle between the tackles and broke a nice 38-yard run to kickstart Miami’s second scoring drive of the third quarter.

CJ Daniels – Welcome back CJ! He had two receptions for 40 yards, including that late fourth quarter touchdown. Of course it was a sick one-handed catch. That’s what CJ does!

Rueben Bain Jr. – The future NFL top-ten pick was a beast today. He finished with five total tackles and 1.5 sacks.

Bryce Fitzgerald – The freshman defensive back has looked really good in place of the injured Keionte Scott. Fitzgerald had two total tackles, a sack, another quarterback pressure, and an interception.

Who were your three stars of the game? Let us know in the comments below.

GO CANES!