MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — CharMar “Marty” Brown and Mark Fletcher Jr. combined for 249 yards and three touchdowns while Miami’s defense set the tone all night in a 26-7 win over rival Florida on a rainy Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Behind a dominant defensive performance and steady offensive drives, the Hurricanes carried a 13-0 lead into halftime.
Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck opened the game by connecting with Malachi Toney on a quick screen, while Brown churned out tough yards on the ground and through the air.
A penalty prevented Miami from capitalizing on its early momentum, but safety Jakobe Thomas and defensive end Rueben Bain Jr. anchored a defense that held Florida to just 32 total yards and one first down in the first half.
Carter Davis added a 28-yard field goal before the break, and Corey Hetherman’s defense kept the Gators scoreless through two quarters.
Florida’s offense came to life in the third quarter.
Quarterback DJ Lagway extended drives with his legs, and running backs Ja’Kobi Jackson and Jadan Baugh began finding lanes. Baugh capped a third-quarter possession with a touchdown run to trim Miami’s lead to 13-7.
The Gators had chances to seize control. Cormani McClain intercepted Beck on a throw intended for CJ Daniels, but linebacker Mohamed Toure’s sack stalled a promising Florida drive. Facing a 4th-and-short early in the fourth, TJ Abrams was stopped just shy of the marker, giving Miami the ball back.
Brown, who had a questionable touchdown run that was called down by contact earlier, finally broke through with 11:20 remaining in the fourth quarter. He dove across the goal line to restore a two-score lead, and the Hurricanes’ sideline erupted.
Miami’s defense delivered again in the closing minutes.
Lagway was sacked by Akheem Mesidor and Bain, and receiver Eugene Wilson dropped a fourth-down pass that handed the ball back to the Hurricanes.
From there, Miami’s offensive line imposed its will. Fletcher finished the game off with a 1-yard touchdown plunge in the final two minutes, sealing the 26-7 win as fans celebrated through the rain.
Miami overcame a sluggish third quarter with a dominant fourth, leaning on Brown and Fletcher’s determination and a relentless defense that limited Florida’s big-play chances all night.
Perhaps the most notable stat of the night was that the Hurricanes did not allow the Gators to convert a third down, holding them to 0 for 13.
Game Notes:
- Passing: Beck (Miami) — 17 of 30, 160 yards, 1 INT; Lagway (Florida) — 12 of 23, 61 yards
- Rushing: Fletcher (Miami) — 24 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD; Brown 18 carries, 80 yards 2 TDs; Baugh (Florida) — 12 carries, 46 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving: Brown (Miami) — 4 catches, 53 yards; Vernell Brown III (Florida) — 2 catches, 22 yards
- Defense: Toure (Miami) — 1 sack; Woods (Gators — 1 sack; Mesidor (Miami) — 1 sack
Team Stats:
- Total Yards: Miami 343, Florida 141
- Turnovers: Miami 1, Florida 0
- First Downs: Miami 21, Florida 7
Up next:
Miami (4-0) will face No. 7 Florida State at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Florida (1-3) will host No. 8 Texas on Oct. 4 after their bye week.
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