Miami’s offense kept finding answers Saturday, and freshman running back Javian Mallory kept cashing in on every chance that came his way.
With No. 7 Miami sitting at 9-1 overall and 7-0 in the ACC, the Hurricanes have leaned on depth in the backfield after losing CharMar Brown early in the season. That opened the door for others, and against Duke, it was Mallory who made the biggest impact.
Mark Fletcher Jr. was still part of the story after continuing his run from last season, but he got nicked up in the first half, which created even more room for Mallory to take over. He did exactly that, turning opportunity into production and showing he’s ready for the level.
Mallory finished with 134 total yards, including 63 through the air and 71 on the ground, and scored three touchdowns.
“I think he is unfazed,” Mario Cristobal said about his star freshman after the game. “Maybe a bit more tired,but that’s it.
He blocks really well, he studies his tail off, and has great energy. You can’t get him in a bad mood.
You can challenge him and coach him really hard...so we get after him here. He loves the opportunity.”
Mallory said the offense settled in after a slow start and credited the people around him for helping create the space he needed.
“As the game went out, we started off a little slow again as well, but as an offense, we got in our groove,” Mallory said after his monster game. “The O-line doing what they do best. Tight ends blocking, receivers block, you know, just creating lanes for me to do what I do and I am just thankful for all of them boys.”
His third touchdown of the day underlined just how much he kept delivering once Miami found its rhythm.
Mallory isn’t just producing, either. He’s becoming another freshman star in a program that keeps finding them, and he’s doing it with a team-first mindset that hasn’t gone unnoticed inside the building.
“Heisman hopeful quarterback Darian Mensah has loved what the running back has done this year and is happy to get him the ball at any time.”
“You know the thing I’ve seen the most is maturity, which is rare from a young guy,” Mensah said after the win. “I think he is going to have a great career here, and for him to grow up as fast as he has throughout this season has been super promising.”
In Other News...
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 🡒]