Miami wasted no time leaning on its first-year talent in Friday night’s season-opening 45-6 win over Stanford. By the time the final whistle blew, the Hurricanes had used 13 true freshmen across offense and defense, continuing a program habit of playing young guys who have earned it in camp and the offseason.
No freshman logged more snaps than Jackson Cantwell, and the offensive lineman made the most of his 34. He got into the rotation at right guard on Miami’s third offensive series and kept coming back into the mix from there.
Cantwell also helped spring a short 5-yard touchdown run that pushed Miami ahead 21-3 early in the second quarter, sealing the edge on the play. The five-star prospect looked ready for the level every time he got his chances.
On the other side of the ball, JJ Dunnigan was almost as busy with 33 snaps. Miami first rolled him out in a 3rd-and-long package, where he essentially worked as the team’s MIKE linebacker.
From there, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound defensive back kept finding ways onto the field, moving around the defense and showing off his size and range. He even held his ground against veteran Stanford running back Micah Ford with a tackle at the line of scrimmage.
A handful of other freshmen carved out smaller but still meaningful roles. Javian Mallory played seven snaps, handled kick return duties on special teams, served as a lead blocker for Mark Fletcher in a goal-line look in the second quarter, and turned his first touch as a Hurricane into a six-yard catch. Late in the fourth quarter, he flashed good vision on a pair of runs that each went more than 10 yards.
Tight end Gavin Mueller, who played 12 snaps, picked up his first career reception early in the third quarter. Wide receiver Vance Spafford was on the receiving end of Luke Nickel’s first pass attempt of the night, though the two couldn’t hook up on the deep ball.
Once the starters came out in the fourth quarter, Miami kept the freshman pipeline flowing. Ben Congdon, Somourian Wingo, Israel Briggs, and center Rhys Woodrow all entered on offense. Wingo, who played 15 snaps, caught two passes for 27 yards in his first series.
The defense also kept turning over bodies late, with Camdin Portis, Cortez Redding, and Asharri Charles getting their first action during the first wave of mass substitutions.
In Other News...
Miamis Rebuilt Offensive Line Just Gave Fans Real Early Hope
Miamis rebuilt offensive line gave the Hurricanes a reassuring first look in the season opener against Stanford, holding the pocket together well enough for a clean sheet in the most basic category that matters up front. Miami allowed no sacks and avoided penalties entirely, a useful sign for a unit that entered the year with questions about continuity and depth, and one that had to blend veterans with a mix of freshmen and new additions right away.
Samson Okunlola, Ryan Rodriguez and Matthew McCoy were part of the starting group and each had a solid opening-night showing, while several younger players also got chances as the staff sorted through the rotation. Pro Football Focus graded the newcomers unevenly, which is hardly surprising this early, but the larger takeaway for Miami is simple enough: the line looked organized, competitive and, for one night, much further along than many expected. [Read more 🡒]
Darian Mensah Just Entered A Bigger Miami Conversation
Darian Mensahs early-season surge has already pushed him into the center of a much larger Miami conversation. After a dazzling opener that featured 400 passing yards and five touchdowns, his Heisman stock has climbed fast enough to make him the current favorite at FanDuel, and that kind of national traction tends to follow a quarterback straight into every bigger debate about where he stands among the sports top names.
Malachi Toneys breakout has only added to the buzz around the Hurricanes offense. His own odds have risen after he set a Miami single-game receiving yards record, giving the team another player whose start is forcing people to pay attention beyond just the final score. For Miami, the early question is no longer whether the offense can make noise, but how far this kind of start can carry it once the schedule gets real. [Read more 🡒]
Miamis Week 2 Opener Carries Pressure Even Without Real Suspense
FanDuel Sportsbook has already set the tone for Miamis Week 2 home opener against Florida A&M, and the numbers only reinforce what the matchup looks like on paper. The Hurricanes return to Hard Rock Stadium carrying the kind of preseason buzz that comes with being viewed as a national championship contender, with quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Malachi Toney headlining a roster built to draw attention far beyond a routine September tune-up.
Florida A&M, meanwhile, arrives in the more familiar role of the overmatched opponent trying to make the afternoon about pride, execution and whatever chances it can create against a deeper roster. There is also the possibility that the Marching 100 could be part of the scene, though that is not confirmed, which would add some atmosphere to a game that does not offer much suspense in the betting market. Even so, for Miami it is the kind of early-season home date that can still matter in quieter ways, especially when the bigger goals are already front and center. [Read more 🡒]