Mark Fletcher Jr. didn’t just add another touchdown to his season on Saturday. He took over a place in Miami Hurricanes history that had been untouched for 34 years.
The senior running back scored his 36th career rushing touchdown in No. 7 Miami’s ACC game against Duke at Hard Rock Stadium, moving past Stephen McGuire for the most rushing touchdowns in program history.
Fletcher’s score came on a short-yardage run in the second quarter and finished off an 8-play, 75-yard drive that put Miami in front 10-3. He entered the game tied with McGuire at 35.
For Fletcher, a Fort Lauderdale native and American Heritage High School product, the milestone was the latest step in a record-setting stretch. Two weeks earlier against North Carolina, he had already tied the rushing touchdown mark while also breaking Miami’s career total touchdown record, which includes rushing and receiving scores. That total had been shared by McGuire and Hall of Famer Edgerrin James at 35.
The touchdown record is only part of the story. Fletcher has been a steady presence for Miami under coach Mario Cristobal, and his 2025 season included a memorable College Football Playoff run before he came back for his final year. He now ranks fifth in school history with more than 2,800 career rushing yards, and he is closing in on James and James Jackson for third place on the all-time rushing list.
What has made Fletcher so valuable is his work near the goal line. Short-yardage finishing has been a defining part of his game, and that trait now has him sitting alone at the top of one of Miami’s most important record books. With games still left in the 2026 season and postseason hopes still alive, he has a chance to keep stretching the mark and widen the gap even more.
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Miami Quarterback Plans May Be Changing In A Big Way
Miamis quarterback approach may be entering a different phase after years of leaning on the transfer portal to stabilize the position. Mario Cristobal has indicated the Hurricanes are looking more toward quarterbacks they have recruited and developed themselves, a pivot that fits a broader push to build the offense with long-term continuity rather than year-to-year fixes.
The current depth chart already reflects that direction, with redshirt freshman Luke Nickel and freshman Dereon Coleman in the mix behind the starter. Add in five-star recruit Israel Abrams expected to arrive in the upcoming signing period, and the Hurricanes suddenly have a path that looks less dependent on the transfer market, especially with the elite veteran options there not looking as appealing as they once did. [Read more 🡒]
Miami Win Exposed A Problem Hurricanes Fans Can't Ignore
Miami kept rolling with a 36-25 win over Duke at Hard Rock Stadium, moving to 9-1 overall and staying unbeaten in ACC play. Javian Mallory powered the offense with 71 rushing yards and three touchdowns, Cooper Barkate added 134 receiving yards, and Darian Mensah was sharp through the air, throwing for 382 yards without an interception.
Even with the result in hand, the game exposed an issue Hurricanes fans have seen too often: the defense had trouble creating pressure and never really solved Duke's Nate Sheppard, who piled up 240 yards of total offense. Miami also hurt itself with 10 penalties, the kind of sloppiness that can be brushed aside in November if the wins keep coming, but becomes a much bigger concern once the competition tightens. [Read more 🡒]
Miami May Have Found A Dangerous New Offensive Gear
Miamis offense kept humming at the Watsco Center, where the Hurricanes rolled past North Alabama 94-52 for their third straight win and flashed a perimeter attack that looked more dangerous by the minute. The headline was the shooting: Miami set a program record with 20 made three-pointers, with Brent Bland pouring in 26 points and Nick Dorn adding 18 as the Hurricanes buried the Lions early and never let up.
What stood out beyond the scoring binge was how complete the performance looked. Miami shot 34-of-70 from the field, piled up 27 assists and forced 10 steals, all while controlling the glass and turning the game into a showcase for pace and ball movement. For a team ranked No. 17, it was the kind of night that suggests this offense may have found a gear that can travel well once the competition gets tougher. [Read more 🡒]