Photo/Written by Chuck Bethel

As much as last Friday’s home loss to unranked Louisville felt like a gut punch, ending Miami’s bid for an undefeated season, the No. 9 (AP) Hurricanes must put it behind them because there’s still work to do front of them— beginning Saturday when they host Stanford at Hard Rock Stadium. 

Not much went right for Miami (5-1, 1-1 ACC) against Louisville. Quarterback Carson Beck threw four interceptions and no touchdowns, the Canes had their lowest output of rushing yards (63) to this point in the season, and UM’s defense struggled to stop the Cardinals through the air and on the ground. 

Freshman receiver Malachi Toney was the team’s bright spot and top playmaker. Continuing his strong year-one campaign with nine receptions for 135 yards along with a 12-yard, fourth-quarter touchdown run and subsequent two-point conversion pass to CJ Daniels to bring Miami within to three points (24-21) of Louisville. 

While Toney is on pace to produce just the seventh 1,000-reception yard season by a UM wide receiver, first by a freshman, the team needs to find the winning formula that led to its previous No. 2 ranking. 

Stanford (3-4, 2-2) is playing what is reported to be its lone season under interim coach Frank Reich. The Cardinal toppled Florida State 20-13 this past weekend in California, but Miami will be the first ranked opponent Stanford faces this season — and the 3,000-mile trip to Miami Gardens could be an additional obstacle for the former Pac-12 team in just its second full season in the ACC. 

Miami’s leading ball carrier, Mark Fletcher, should finish with more than 18 rushing yards like he had against Louisville, Beck is unlikely to turn over the ball four times again, and UM’s defense should look stouter against a middle-of-the-road Stanford offense. 

Canes coach Mario Cristobal better hope so. 

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN