The Miami Hurricanes just got a major boost heading into the next round of the postseason - and it comes courtesy of their workhorse in the backfield.
Running back Mark Fletcher has informed the program he’ll be returning for the 2026 season, according to ESPN. And if his most recent performance is any indication, that’s a massive win for Miami before they even take the field again.
Fletcher is fresh off a dominant 173-yard outing in the Hurricanes’ statement win over Texas A&M - a game that not only advanced Miami to the next round but also sent a clear message: this team isn’t just happy to be here. They’re gunning for it all.
The Hurricanes will now face Ohio State in Dallas on December 31, and they’ll do so with Fletcher at the heart of their offense - both literally and emotionally.
“Man, I definitely wasn’t expecting this,” Fletcher said after the win. “But I’m just happy that we won.
Nobody believed that we could do this. We never really worried about those voices anyway, but we’re just very grateful, very blessed that we’re in this position.
We’re 1-0 today, we’re going to celebrate this and go 1-0 next week.”
That mindset - locked in, team-first, and quietly confident - has become Fletcher’s calling card. And it’s no surprise that head coach Mario Cristobal lit up when asked about his star back’s decision to return.
“Mark, 17 carries, 173 yards - he was such a difference in the game,” Cristobal said. “What he means to the team… it was a rough year for him, you know that, with the passing of his father.
He never flinched. Stayed with his teammates.
Played the game that Saturday. That’s about a year ago.
He’s just the heart and soul of our football team.”
Cristobal didn’t mince words: Fletcher didn’t just contribute - he took over. In a game where Miami struggled to get much going early, Fletcher’s physicality and vision turned the tide. He was decisive, explosive, and relentless, churning out yardage against a Texas A&M defense that had been stout all season.
“They have a really good defense,” Cristobal noted. “The wind was all over the place - that blew some things out, both in the passing game and on field goals. But Mark Fletcher certainly wasn’t affected by it.”
And while Fletcher was the engine, the big guys up front deserve their flowers, too. Cristobal made sure to highlight the offensive line’s role in neutralizing the Aggies’ aggressive pressure schemes - from safety blitzes to nickel fires.
“Credit to the offensive line. They’re whipping a bunch of pressure - the plus-one concept, safety blitzes, Will fires, Nickel fires - and we just got our feet in the ground and started moving them,” Cristobal said.
“I think we ran for almost 200 yards on 28 carries, 6.2 a shot. Something to certainly be proud of.”
For a program that hasn’t won a national title since 2001, the stakes are high. But with Fletcher leading the charge - and now officially committing to another season - there’s a renewed sense of belief in Coral Gables. This team isn’t just chasing history; they’re building something that could last.
And if you’re wondering how the locker room felt after the win? Fletcher gave a peek behind the curtain.
“It was turned,” he said, grinning. “I wish you could have seen it. You’re probably going to see some screen recorded Instagram Lives, but yeah, we was turned.”
The celebration was well-earned. But now, it’s back to business. The Hurricanes are one win away from a shot at the national title - and with Fletcher in tow, they’ve got the kind of momentum you can’t coach.