Miami's perfect season ends after star receiver suffers ankle injury
The Hurricanes fell to Notre Dame 31-24 following a high-ankle sprain that sidelines Malachi Toney for multiple weeks.
By Leila Reynolds ·
Miami's unbeaten season ended on a cold night in South Bend, Ind., but the damage was done days earlier. During a Tuesday practice session, quarterback Darian Mensah threw a pass to wide receiver Malachi Toney. Toney jumped for the ball alongside a scout-team defender. He landed awkwardly, fell to the field in pain, and was taken to an on-campus medical center. Doctors diagnosed a high ankle sprain, ruling him out for several weeks.
The Hurricanes entered the game against Notre Dame as the No. 1 ranked team in the country. They left the stadium at 31-24, their first loss of the season. Miami trailed 24-3 in the third quarter before mounting a late rally. The comeback attempt stalled in the final minutes when officials ruled that Elija Lofton did not complete a catch that would have tied the game. The decision ended Miami's last realistic chance to win.
Coach Mario Cristobal described Toney as essential to the team's identity. He noted that the receiver usually lands perfectly regardless of his body position, but on that Tuesday, Toney got tangled up with the defender. Toney underwent successful surgery on Thursday morning and spoke to his teammates before they traveled to South Bend. The team plans for him to return to play in December, though the exact date remains uncertain.
The trip to Indiana revealed the routine the team follows regardless of the opponent. Staff members arrived early to set up hotel amenities, including Miami flags. Security guards formed barriers to move players from the elevators to buses. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. said the team treats every opponent the same, focusing on their daily work at the practice fields rather than the prestige of the rivalry.
Following the loss, the team returned to Florida in the early hours of Sunday. The tractor-trailer carrying their gear left the campus around 1 a.m., and the team landed back in Miami around 4 a.m. University President Joe Echevarria expressed regret over the final call on the Lofton catch. The Hurricanes dropped from No. 1 to No. 5 in the AP Top 25 poll on Sunday.
The next game is a homecoming contest against Duke. The matchup carries personal significance for Mensah and wide receiver Cooper Barkate, who both played for the Blue Devils last season. The team will return to its standard routine, with Cristobal emphasizing that the process remains unchanged despite the shift in their record and the absence of their top receiver.
