Three Stars: Miami vs Central Michigan

The Miami Hurricanes smoked the Central Michigan Chippewas tonight at Hard Rock Stadium, 52-3. After a sluggish start to the first half of the first quarter, which saw Miami face its first deficit of the season, it was total domination. The offense was awesome, the defense was fierce, CMU fought hard, and the refs were especially atrocious. Just another college football game in 2026.

Let’s get to the three stars of the game.

Much like 2024 with Cam Ward, Darian Mensah will likely have the top spot here as long as Miami keeps winning and he keeps completing 90% of his passes. Oh wait, tonight he was at 85%. How dare he! Mensah looked calm and collected yet again. It was nice to see, albeit against another severely outmatched opponent. That excludes Wake Forest. How about the Demon Deacons going on the road and beating Louisville?! Anyway, Mensah should regain his place as the Heisman Trophy favorite tomorrow morning with Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss losing to the Gators earlier today. Miami’s new is awesome and I can’t wait for next week at Clemson. Oh, his stats: 23-27, 338 yards, 3 touchdowns, no turnovers, four rushes, 21 yards, one touchdown.

The best player in college football had another great game tonight. Let’s get the numbers out of the way: six receptions, 120 yards, one touchdown. Much like Toney’s one-handed catch against Ole Miss in last season’s Fiesta Bowl where his foot was less than an inch out of bounds, his best play tonight didn’t count. Miami’s had a sick one-handed touchdown catch that was somehow overturned for offensive pass interference. I have no idea what the back judge official was looking at. (Sigh). College football refs are incredibly frustrating. Still, another productive week for Malachi Toney.

After an opening-drive field goal by CMU, Corey Hethermann’s unit tightened the screws. It was another total team effort. The defensive line got good pressure in the backfield. The linebackers did well against the run. Against the pass, that’s another story. The secondary tackled well enough and brought some solid pressure off the edge. They didn’t give up any explosive plays. I think CMU had a 24-yarder, but I don’t remember it leading to anything. That’s big. Miami defenses of the past would give up an early explosive play and likely a touchdown to a team like the Chippewas. Not anymore. The Canes should blow out Central Michigan in 2026, no doubt. The impressive part is only giving up three points. No cheap touchdowns. No letdowns. Just aggressive and violent play. Oh, and they only allowed 158 total yards, plus forced three turnovers.

Javian Mallory – His numbers weren’t eye popping: six rushes, 30 yards, one touchdown, two receptions, 26 yards. This dude has strength, speed, and wiggle. I just love the way he runs.

Omar Thornton – led the Canes tonight in solo tackles with four, plus had 2.5 TFLs. He also had a sack. I love how much pressure Thornton puts on the opposing offenses’ backfield.

Marquise Lightfoot – The athletic EDGE had two sacks and 2.5 TFLs tonight. He also was called for a lame penalty that negated a defensive touchdown. It seems like Lightfoot is getting better each week.

Cooper Barkate – Mensah’s former Duke running mate looked more like himself tonight. He was a nice safety blanked a couple times when Mensah was scrambling. It was good to see. Stats: four catches, 47 yards, one touchdown.

Who were your three stars of the game? Let us know in the comments below.