By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: AL DIAZ
The Miami Hurricanes upset the Texas A&M Aggies with a dominant defensive performance, 10-3, to secure their first College Football Playoff win on Saturday.
Hurricanes safety Bryce Fitzgerald had two interceptions in this game, especially in the one at the end zone to ice the game for the Hurricanes. Miami had seven tackles. Miami held the Aggies to just 326 yards of offense and 89 yards of rushing.
Defensive lineman Rueban Bain Jr is the leader of the team’s defense, and he didn’t forget what Aggies offensive lineman Trey Zuhn III had to say about the Hurricanes’ defense.
Bain Jr screenshot the photo of Zuhn and used it as a sign of motivation. Bain knew that the question was going to come.
“We don’t take kindly to disrespect,” Bain said. “Some people said some things they shouldn’t have said.”
Bain finished with five tackles — 4 for a loss — and three sacks, while also blocking a field goal attempt in the first half.
Hurricanes running back Mark Fletcher Jr rushed for a career high 172 yards. Wide receiver Malachi Toney had an 11-yard touchdown to go with five catches and a 55-yard punt return.
“That’s the best thing you can ask for,” Toney said. “You fumble, then you come back, and the coach trusts you enough to put the ball back in your hands with the game on the line.”
Quarterback Carson Beck completed 14 of his 20 passes for 103 yards.
Miami improves to 11-2. There were about 104,122 in attendance at Kyle Field in Texas. It’s a significant victory for the program, as many people doubted they could beat the Aggies. Their next test will get tougher. Hurricanes will take on Ohio State in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Eve.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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