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Miami Hurricanes Dominate Central Michigan 52-3 Behind Mensah, Explosive Offense

 

 

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — What started as a slow opening quarter quickly turned into another statement performance for the Miami Hurricanes.

No. 6 Miami scored 52 unanswered points after Central Michigan opened the game with a 49-yard field goal, rolling to a 52–3 victory over the Chippewas Saturday night at Hard Rock Stadium.

The win moved Miami to 4–0 on the season, while Central Michigan dropped to 2–2. The Hurricanes also extended their streak of opening seasons with four consecutive victories to four years.

Central Michigan Strikes First

For the first time this season, Miami found itself trailing.

The Hurricanes went three-and-out on their opening possession, and Central Michigan responded with a lengthy drive that ended with Caden VanHuis connecting on a 49-yard field goal.

That 3–0 deficit, however, didn't last long.

Miami answered with a nine-play, 71-yard touchdown drive capped by freshman running back Javian Mallory, who scored on a four-yard run.

From there, the Hurricanes took complete control.

Mensah Continues His Torrid Start

Quarterback Darian Mensah once again turned in an outstanding performance.

Mensah completed 23 of 27 passes for 338 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding a rushing touchdown. His performance continued an incredible start to the season for the Miami quarterback, who entered the game leading the FBS in completion percentage.

Mensah's biggest stretch came in the second quarter.

Miami scored four touchdowns in the period, including touchdown passes to Daylyn Upshaw, Malachi Toney and Cooper Barkate. Mensah then capped a 97-yard drive just before halftime with a five-yard rushing touchdown.

By halftime, Miami had turned a 3–0 deficit into a 35–3 lead.

Toney Continues to Make Plays

Wide receiver Malachi Toney continued his impressive sophomore campaign.

Toney finished with six receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown, providing Miami with another explosive weapon in the passing game. It marked the eighth time in his Miami career that he has surpassed 100 receiving yards in a game.

Miami's receiving depth was also on full display.

With Joshua Moore unavailable, 11 different Hurricanes caught passes, demonstrating just how many options Mensah has at his disposal.

Running Back Depth Steps Up

Miami entered the game dealing with injuries at running back.

Mark Fletcher Jr. was held out as a precaution after suffering an upper-body injury against Wake Forest, while Marty Brown is out for the season.

That opened the door for Javian Mallory and Chris Wheatley-Humphrey.

Mallory made his first collegiate start and scored Miami's opening touchdown, while Wheatley-Humphrey delivered the first 100-yard game of his Hurricanes career.

He finished with 11 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown, including a 35-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Defense Completely Shuts Down the Chippewas

While the offense grabbed most of the headlines, Miami's defense was just as impressive.

After allowing the opening field goal, the Hurricanes completely shut down Central Michigan.

The Chippewas finished with just 158 total yards and 21 rushing yards on the night. Miami also recorded four sacks and eight tackles for loss.

 

 

 

 

Written by: Daniel Torres