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Malachi Toney, MJ Cannon earn major award after Week 8
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- Malachi Toney, MJ Cannon earn major award after Week 8
Week 8 of the 2026 college football season featured several standout individual performances, including those from Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney and Cincinnati defensive back MJ Cannon.
Toney lit up Pittsburgh on Saturday, finishing with 16 receptions for 194 yards and three touchdowns. He's the first Power Four player to compile 15 or more catches and at least three touchdowns in a game since Jaxon Smith-Njigba did it for Ohio State in the 2022 Rose Bowl.
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He was named the Associated Press National Player of the Week for a second time this year on Monday and was also named one of the Walter Camp National Players of the Week on Tuesday, per On3's Brett McMurphy .
On the defensive side, Cannon was a big reason why Cincinnati upset Texas Tech 37-24 on Saturday. The senior safety finished the game with eight total tackles, one forced fumble, one interception and one pass defended. He was also named a Walter Camp National Player of the Week.
What's next for Toney and Cannon?
Cincinnati Bearcats safety MJ Cannon (2) tackles Texas Tech Red Raiders wide receiver Coy Eakin (3) in the third quarter of the Big 12 game between Cincinnati Bearcats and Texas Tech at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Toney will try to help 8-0 Miami stay undefeated when the team plays North Carolina on Saturday. Meanwhile, Cannon will look to improve Cincinnati to 6-2 by beating Utah.
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