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Mensah, Toney dominate as No. 7 Hurricanes rout Stanford to start season
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- Mensah, Toney dominate as No. 7 Hurricanes rout Stanford to start season
STANFORD, Calif. — The Hurricanes needed all of one minute and 40 seconds to show off their new-look, high-powered offense.
A 48-yard pass from Darian Mensah to Malachi Toney started the drive. It was followed by a short run by Mark Fletcher Jr. and a second pass to Toney before Mensah capped the drive with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Toney. It didn't take long, and Miami was off to the races. The Hurricanes never looked back, as Toney set a new program record and Mensah excelled.
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No. 7 Miami (1-0, 1-0 ACC) rolled to a 45-6 win over the Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on Friday night.
"You couldn't draw it up any better," Mensah said. "That's what you want. You want to go out and punch a team in the mouth, and we did that."
Miami followed up the first touchdown drive with a second. Center Ryan Rodriguez's snap to Mensah was high, but Mensah corralled it and fired it to Toney for a 2-yard score. The second touchdown extended the Hurricanes' lead to 14-3 (Stanford had kicked a field goal on its second drive of the game).
Running back Marty Brown was the first Hurricane other than Toney to reach the end zone this season. He capped an eight-play, 89-yard drive with a 5-yard rushing touchdown, putting Miami ahead by 18 points midway through the second quarter.
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Toney continued to put on a show through the first half, finishing the second quarter with 182 yards and setting a career high in receiving yards before the first half was over. He helped the Hurricanes move down the field to score their fourth touchdown of the first half, which Mensah threw to sophomore receiver Daylyn Upshaw.
Miami picked up right where it left off in the second half, with Mensah tossing his fourth touchdown of the game — this one for 34 yards — to fellow Duke transfer Cooper Barkate.
Toney's third touchdown catch of the game put the Hurricanes ahead 42-6 in the third quarter, and with it, the sophomore set the Hurricanes' record for most receiving yards in a single game. The Hurricanes started subbing in their backups on the next drive.
"It means a lot, knowing how many great played at this university," Toney said. "Just for me to be the player to break that record and set a new one, it just means a lot."
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Miami kicker Jake Weinberg closed out the scoring with a 46-yard field goal.
"It was good to see our guys come out to take care of business, and (they) never took their foot off the gas," coach Mario Cristobal said.
Five takeaways
1. Is Toney better than ever?
In the first game of his sophomore year, Toney had his best performance ever. The second-year receiver set a career high in receiving yards before the first half was over.
Toney ended the game with 12 catches and a Miami-record 234 yards. He scored three touchdowns.
"If you're leaving No. 1 one-on-one, it's a problem," Mensah said.
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2. Mensah impresses
The new Miami quarterback did not disappoint in his debut. He got the Hurricanes off to a hot start with a quick touchdown drive on UM's first offensive opportunity of the season.
He finished his Miami debut with 27 completions on 30 attempts, 401 yards and five touchdowns.
"Just a dream come true, to be honest," Mensah said. "Like I said earlier, I'm just blessed to be in the position I'm at, and it feels like it's just an honor to be the quarterback of this team."
3. Offensive line a work in progress
The Hurricanes trotted out their new-look offensive line, replacing four starters who left for the NFL. UM started Samson Okunlola at left tackle, SJ Alofaituli at left guard, Ryan Rodriguez at center, Max Buchanan at right guard and Matthew McCoy at right tackle.
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But the Hurricanes also rotated players in and out. Former five-star prospect Jackson Cantwell played several drives at right guard.
Miami's line was not perfect, allowing Mensah to get hit several times and sometimes failing to open holes for the running backs.
4. Frederique leaves game
Starting cornerback OJ Frederique Jr. left the game after starting the first drive and did not return. Damari Brown and Ethan O'Connor filled his role for the rest of the game.
The standout corner has dealt with injuries in the past, missing five games last year.
"We've got to check him out," Cristobal said. "Obviously, (he) got banged up and had to pull him out the game. So hopefully, it's not too bad."
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5. Defense bends but doesn't break
Stanford quarterback Davis Warren performed admirably, finding holes in the Hurricanes' defense. He finished the game 21 of 41 for 214 yards. The Cardinal could have had more offense if not for multiple drops and offensive penalties that wiped out key plays.
Although Warren had a solid game, Miami's defense kept Stanford out of the end zone. The Hurricanes limited Stanford to 5 of 16 on third and fourth downs.
"(Warren) nailed some unbelievable throws now under pressure," Cristobal said. "And they got in the red zone, and we were able to keep them out and force field goals and just kept getting the ball back and forcing punts."
