Malachi Toney Shines Again as Miami Rolls Past No. 22 Pitt
If you’re not familiar with the name Malachi Toney yet, it’s time to get acquainted. The Miami freshman wide receiver just put together another electric performance, and the ACC took notice-naming him ACC Wide Receiver of the Week after a breakout showing in the Hurricanes’ dominant 38-7 win over No. 22 Pitt.
Toney was everywhere on Saturday. He racked up 149 all-purpose yards and found the end zone twice, showing off the kind of versatility that makes offensive coordinators smile and defensive coordinators lose sleep. He caught 13 passes for 126 yards, including a smooth 22-yard touchdown reception late in the second quarter that helped blow the game open.
But Toney wasn’t done there.
Lining up in a creative package early in the game, the freshman took a reverse and threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to tight end Elija Lofton. That’s his second scoring pass of the season.
Yes, you read that right-a wide receiver with two touchdown passes. That kind of playmaking ability doesn’t just happen by accident.
It’s a sign of a player with a high football IQ, trust from the coaching staff, and the kind of raw talent that can tilt a game.
And this isn’t a one-off performance. Toney’s been heating up down the stretch.
Back on November 15, he earned ACC Rookie of the Week honors after torching NC State for five catches, 52 yards, and two touchdowns in a 41-7 rout. That game was a coming-out party.
This one? A statement.
Toney’s emergence has been a huge boost for a Miami team that’s surging at the right time. The Hurricanes now sit at 10-2, and while they still have ground to cover in the national rankings, they’re very much in the conversation.
In the latest polls, Miami landed at No. 12 and No. 13 respectively, right in the thick of a crowded top 15 that includes heavyweights like Ohio State, Georgia, and Oregon. The ‘Canes are surrounded by one-loss and two-loss teams all fighting for postseason positioning, and performances like Toney’s are the kind that can tip the scales.
What’s most impressive about Toney’s rise is how quickly he’s become a focal point in Miami’s offense. He’s not just making splash plays-he’s consistently moving the chains, making defenders miss, and proving he can be trusted in key moments. Thirteen receptions in a single game is no small feat, especially against a ranked opponent on the road.
And then there’s the creativity. Tossing a touchdown pass on top of everything else?
That’s the kind of wrinkle that adds a whole new layer to Miami’s offense. It forces defenses to account for him in ways that go beyond traditional coverage schemes.
You can’t just bracket him or press him at the line-he might burn you through the air or with his arm.
For Miami, the timing couldn’t be better. With bowl season looming and postseason matchups coming into focus, the Hurricanes have a dynamic weapon who’s gaining confidence by the week. And for Toney, the accolades are starting to pile up-but more importantly, so are the wins.
Freshman receivers don’t often take over games like this. But Malachi Toney isn’t your typical freshman. He’s looking like the real deal-and if this trajectory holds, Miami fans could be watching the early stages of a star in the making.