Malachi Toney’s 11-yard touchdown with less than two minutes left gave No. 10 Miami a 10-3 victory over No. 7 Texas A&M in the College Football Playoff, securing the Hurricanes’ spot in the Cotton Bowl against No. 2 Ohio State on Dec. 31.
A Game-Changing Catch
The play came after a moment that could have derailed the freshman’s confidence. Toney had just caught a pass when Dalton Brooks knocked the ball out of his hands, and Daymion Sanford recovered on the Aggies’ 47-yard line with about seven minutes remaining. Teammates rushed the bench to surround an upset Toney, encouraging him to stay positive.
Miami’s defense forced a turnover on the next drive when Rueben Bain Jr. sacked Marcel Reed on two of three plays, turning the ball over on a punt. A 56-yard run by Mark Fletcher Jr. on the first play of the ensuing drive moved the Hurricanes to the Texas A&M 30-yard line with roughly three minutes left. Fletcher added four more runs before Toney received a short toss from Carson Beck and sprinted into the end zone.
The Aggies had a chance to tie the score afterward, but Bryce Fitzgerald intercepted Reed for a second time, this time in the end zone, sealing the win.
Dominant Defense and Mistakes
Miami’s defense stifled Texas A&M’s high-scoring offense, which had averaged 36.3 points per game entering the contest. The Hurricanes sacked Reed seven times, forced him out of the pocket repeatedly, and made him throw two interceptions and a first-quarter fumble. Reed finished 25 of 39 for 257 yards but could not get the Aggies into the end zone for the first time this season.
The defensive performance was a key factor in Miami’s 10-3 triumph, and the victory gives the Hurricanes a chance to win their first national championship since 2001 in their inaugural CFP appearance.
Field-Goal Struggles and Highlights
Carter Davis missed three field-goal attempts in the windy win after missing only two before Saturday. His 21-yard kick early in the third quarter was the only score for Miami after a scoreless first half, the first such occurrence in CFP history.
The game also featured several noteworthy plays: Beck, in his first season at Miami after transferring from Georgia, completed 14 of 20 passes for a season-low 103 yards. Facing a second-and-18 from his own 8, Reed connected with Ashton Bethel-Roman for 15 and 13 yards, and on third-and-10 later in the drive, he threw again to Bethel-Roman for a first-down and then to Mario Craver for a 12-yard gain. The drive stalled, and Randy Bond tied the game with a 35-yard field goal with about eight minutes remaining.
In the second half, Miami opened with a nine-play, 72-yard drive capped by a 21-yard field goal, making the score 3-0. Keelan Marion had a 20-yard reception on that drive, and Fletcher added a 24-yard run on third-and-4 to keep it alive. Fitzgerald intercepted Reed again and returned the ball 36 yards to the A&M 20-yard line. The Hurricanes’ offense stalled after the turnover, and a 35-yard field-goal attempt by Davis bounced off the left upright.
Reed’s early fumble in the first quarter was not capitalized on; a 59-yard reception by Mario Craver brought the Aggies to the 11-yard line early in the second, but they failed to move the ball and attempted a 22-yard field goal that was blocked by Bain. It was Miami’s first blocked field goal since the season opener against Bethune-Cookman in 2022.
Special Teams and Turnovers
Toney’s 55-yard punt return moved Miami to the 25-yard line with about six minutes left in the second quarter. He would have scored if not for a shoestring tackle by Marcus Ratcliffe. Dalton Brooks sacked Beck on third down, forcing a 47-yard field-goal attempt by Davis that sailed wide right.
Punter Tyler White’s throw on a fake punt sailed just out of reach of a diving Marcus Ratcliffe, giving Miami the ball on the Texas A&M 46-yard line with less than two minutes remaining in the first half. Davis attempted a 40-yard field goal as time expired in the first half, but it was wide right again.
The Takeaway
- Miami’s defense proved they belong in the CFP, overcoming early doubts about their playoff berth.
- Texas A&M’s high-scoring offense was neutralized, and the Aggies will analyze the loss during a long offseason.
- The Hurricanes’ 10-3 win sets the stage for a showdown with Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl on Dec. 31.
Miami’s victory over Texas A&M demonstrates that the Hurricanes can perform under pressure, with a standout play from Toney and a disciplined defensive effort that stifled an otherwise potent Aggies offense.
Closing Thoughts
The Hurricanes’ 10-3 win confirms their status as a top-tier team in the CFP. With a chance to compete for a national title, Miami’s focus will shift to preparation for the Cotton Bowl against Ohio State, while Texas A&M will use the offseason to address the mistakes that cost them a playoff win.
