In a game where offense felt more like a grind than a showcase, Miami's 10-3 win over Texas A&M in College Station came down to one thing: Mark Fletcher Jr. refusing to be stopped.
The junior running back was the clear engine of the Hurricanes' offense, accounting for a staggering 62% of their total yardage. Fletcher racked up 172 yards on just 17 carries, including a 56-yard burst on Miami’s final possession - a play that set the table for freshman receiver Malachi Toney’s game-winning touchdown. On a day when neither team could get much going, Fletcher didn’t just stand out - he carried the Hurricanes across the finish line.
This wasn’t a one-off performance. Fletcher has been the steady force in Miami’s backfield all season, the thunderous presence that balances out the electric playmaking of Toney on the perimeter. And now, Miami fans have even more reason to be excited for 2026: Fletcher is coming back for his senior season.
That’s a huge win for a program that’s once again in the market for a new quarterback. With Fletcher and Toney both returning, Miami has a dynamic one-two punch already in place - a major selling point for any top-tier quarterback in the transfer portal.
And with the portal already flooded with big names, the Hurricanes are in position to make another splash. They’ve hit on their last two transfer QBs - Cam Ward and Carson Beck - and between the on-field setup and the NIL backing, there’s every reason to believe they can go three-for-three.
But let’s not get too far ahead without appreciating what Fletcher has already done - and what he’s still chasing. Miami has a storied history at running back, and Fletcher’s decision to return gives him a real shot at etching his name alongside the program’s greats.
He currently sits 13th on Miami’s all-time rushing list with 1,978 yards. If he simply matches this year’s 857-yard total next season, he’ll leap to fifth all-time, landing between Clinton Portis and Edgerrin James.
A 1,000-yard season? That would push him into third, trailing only Duke Johnson and Ottis Anderson - two of the most iconic names in Hurricanes history.
For Fletcher, this isn’t just about one more college season - it’s about legacy. And for Miami, it’s about building something with staying power. With Fletcher and Toney leading the way, the Hurricanes aren’t just reloading - they’re setting the stage for something bigger.