Mark Fletcher Jr. Powers Miami Past Texas A&M, Confirms Return for 2026 Season
When Miami needed someone to take over, Mark Fletcher Jr. answered the call-and then some. In a College Football Playoff slugfest that felt more like a 12-round prizefight than a high-scoring shootout, Fletcher was the engine, the spark, and the closer for the Hurricanes in a gritty 10-3 win over Texas A&M.
And now, Miami fans get to enjoy the best kind of encore: Fletcher is coming back for his senior season in 2026.
Fletcher Carries Miami to Victory
Let’s be clear-without Fletcher, Miami’s offense doesn’t get out of neutral. With everything else sputtering, the sophomore running back turned in a career-best performance, rushing 17 times for 172 yards. That’s a staggering 10.1 yards per carry, including a game-breaking 56-yard run late in the fourth quarter that set up the game’s only touchdown.
To put it in perspective: Miami finished with 278 total yards. Fletcher accounted for 62% of that. Quarterback Carson Beck was solid, going 14-of-20 for 103 yards and a touchdown, but it was Fletcher who carried the load-and the Hurricanes-on his back.
That 56-yard sprint wasn’t just a highlight-reel moment. It was the turning point.
After a fourth-quarter fumble by Malachi Toney gave Texas A&M a chance to seize control, Miami’s defense stepped up in a big way. Rueben Bain Jr. got to Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed twice on the ensuing drive, forcing a punt.
Then came Fletcher’s burst, shifting the momentum for good.
A few plays later, Toney atoned for his earlier miscue with an 11-yard touchdown catch. Bryce Fitzgerald sealed the win with his second interception of the night, and Miami walked away from a bruising battle with a ticket to the next round.
A Historic Defensive Stand
This game will be remembered for a lot of things-Fletcher’s dominance, the late-game heroics-but don’t overlook what Miami’s defense did. The Hurricanes delivered the first scoreless first half in College Football Playoff history and kept Texas A&M out of the end zone for the first time all season.
That’s no small feat.
Miami sacked Reed seven times, forced three turnovers, and held firm even after Toney’s fumble gave the Aggies a golden opportunity late. Texas A&M actually outgained Miami 326-278 and controlled the clock for more than 33 minutes, but never found the end zone. That’s a credit to a defense that bent but never broke.
Kicker Carter Davis opened the scoring with a 21-yard field goal early in the third quarter, but it was an otherwise frustrating day for him-he missed three kicks in swirling wind after missing just two all season. Still, the Hurricanes did enough to survive and advance.
Looking Ahead: Cotton Bowl Clash with Ohio State
With the win, Miami punches its ticket to the Cotton Bowl quarterfinal, where they’ll face second-seeded Ohio State on December 31 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It’s a massive test, but Miami heads into it with momentum-and now, with clarity about the future.
Fletcher’s Return Sets the Tone for 2026
Fletcher’s decision to return for his senior season is more than just a feel-good headline-it’s a signal that Miami’s core is staying intact. With Fletcher and Toney both expected back, the Hurricanes are shaping up to be an attractive destination for quarterbacks in the transfer portal looking to plug into a ready-made offense.
Fletcher currently sits at 1,978 career rushing yards, good for 13th in program history. If he simply matches this year’s 857-yard total next fall, he’ll climb into the top five. A 1,000-yard season would put him third all-time, behind only Duke Johnson and Ottis Anderson-two Hurricanes legends.
That’s the kind of trajectory Fletcher is on. And if his performance against Texas A&M is any indication, he’s not done rewriting Miami’s record books just yet.
For now, Miami turns its focus to Ohio State. But with Fletcher leading the way, the Hurricanes are charging into the postseason-and the future-with confidence.