Miami solidifies its CFP chances with victory over Texas A&M
Miami Defeats Texas A&M in College Football Playoff Opener
In a thrilling finish at College Station, Texas, No. 10-seeded Miami secured a narrow 10-3 victory over No. 7 Texas A&M in the College Football Playoff opener on Saturday. Malachi Toney’s 11-yard touchdown reception with under two minutes remaining proved decisive for the Hurricanes, advancing them to the Cotton Bowl, where they will face No. 2 Ohio State on December 31.
Mark Fletcher Jr. delivered a standout performance, achieving a career-high 172 rushing yards that were instrumental in Miami’s success. His powerful run set up the crucial touchdown, following a tense moment earlier in the game when Toney dropped a pass that resulted in a turnover. Despite the misstep, his teammates rallied around him, offering support as they prepared for another opportunity.
The pivotal drive began with a remarkable 56-yard run from Fletcher, landing the Hurricanes at the Aggies’ 30-yard line. Following several more runs by Fletcher, Toney caught a short pass from quarterback Carson Beck before sprinting into the end zone, putting Miami ahead.
Texas A&M attempted to respond, but Bryce Fitzgerald intercepted quarterback Marcel Reed’s pass in the end zone, sealing Miami’s victory. The Hurricanes’ defense showed its strength throughout the game, effectively neutralizing the Aggies’ high-scoring offense, which had averaged 36.3 points per game. Reed, pressured consistently by Miami’s defense, was unable to lead his team into the end zone for the first time this season.
Reed completed 25 of 39 passes for 257 yards but struggled with turnovers, including a fumble in the first quarter. Miami’s defensive pressure resulted in seven sacks, contributing to a challenging day for the Aggies.
The game also marked a difficult playoff debut for Texas A&M, which concluded its season with an 11-2 record after an earlier loss to rival Texas. Meanwhile, Miami’s victory, its first appearance in the College Football Playoff, brings it one step closer to a national championship, a title the program has not claimed since 2001.
Carter Davis added a 21-yard field goal in the third quarter, scoring the first points of the game after a scoreless first half—the first of its kind in College Football Playoff history. Beck, in his first season at Miami after transferring from Georgia, completed 14 of 20 passes but recorded a season-low 103 yards through the air.
