The Canes move to 3-0 after building a major lead early before the defense closed out a gritty road win in Winston Salem.
No. 5 Miami survived its toughest test so far in this young college football season on Friday night, taking down Wake Forest 33-20 to improve to 3-0 (2-0 ACC).
Quarterback Darian Mensah picked up where he left off to continue his incredible start to the 2026-27 football season, starting off the game 24/24 passing, setting an ACC record with 35 straight completions over his last two games, and just one short of the FBS record. Mensah would finish the game 30/34 for 220 yards and 3 TDs to continue his early season success.
Malachi Toney once again served his usual as one of the nation’s top weapons, finishing with 12 catches for 114 yards and 1 TD.
10 of Toney’s 12 catches last night came in the first half, and it appeared he was on a snap count in the second half following a catch he got banged up on in the first half. Miami’s head coach Mario Cristobal following the game told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt that “He (Toney) got a little bit banged up; we don’t think it’s too serious.”
The Hurricanes were up 31-7 at one point in the first half, and seemed momentum was following them as Mohamed Toure forced a fumble that would be called back due to a roughing the passer penalty. Wake Forest would take advantage of that call and score shortly after, going on a 13-0 run to make it 31-20, but the Hurricanes defense stepped up when it mattered most.
The Hurricanes all night only held Wake Forest to 22 rushing yards all night and recorded 3 sacks. Miami’s Damon Wilson II stepped up late, forcing a holding call in the endzone that would result in a Demon Deacons safety. Ethan O’Connor would come up huge on Wake Forest’s final drive, coming up with his first INT of the season and finally getting that first turnover the Hurricanes defense has been waiting for.
The biggest concern walking away from this win was the injury bug. Running back CharMar “Marty” Brown suffered an apparent right knee injury in the first half following a 32-yard run down to the goal line and was carried off the field and carted to the locker room. Mark Fletcher Jr. later left with an upper body injury after rushing for 85 yards and 1 TD.
The Hurricanes now return home for their first Saturday kickoff of the season to face Central Michigan on September 26th at 6:30 from Hard Rock Stadium. Miami looks to continue to go 1-0 every week while hoping to get back on the healthier side before conference play gets even tougher.
(Photo Credit: David Lebowitz)
