Did Miami Hurricanes' Darian Mensah Secure Heisman Trophy Frontrunning Status?

MIAMI, Fla. – En route to a 43-35 win in double overtime at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday night over the Florida State Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes’ Darian Mensah led with a remarkable performance, which could boost his Heisman Trophy campaign.

The 21-year-old completed 23 of 34 passes (67.6 percent), threw for 326 yards and three touchdowns, plus an interception in the third quarter. Although Mensah had been the most efficient quarterback in the Football Bowl Subdivision, the Seminoles delivered a great challenge. They generated 14 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, which is a new season high for the Hurricanes’ offensive line.

Mensah had to operate in a less sustainable pocket than usual. After the second touchdown drive in the second quarter, the Hurricanes’ following five sequences resulted in empty possessions:

- Punt (Three-and-out)

- Punt

- Interception

- Turnover on Downs

- Turnover on Downs

Despite facing adversity, Mensah didn’t allow it to affect him and returned to the field to make big plays. In the Hurricanes’ first drive of the fourth quarter, he threw a 35-yard pass to star wide receiver Malachi Toney. The drive ended with freshman running back Javian Mallory scoring a touchdown to tie the game at 21 apiece.

Immediately after, the Hurricanes’ defense forced a fumble and recovered. A couple of plays went without a gain until Mensah threw a 15-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw for the first down. After reaching the end zone, he found junior tight end Elija Lofton to score back-to-back unanswered touchdowns.

Although Seminoles senior star wide receiver Duce Robinson forced overtime by going 75 yards to the end zone, Mensah still delivered when it mattered most. In the second overtime, he completed a 20-yard pass with Upshaw, then found Toney in the end zone, who later reminded Hard Rock Stadium of his high school quarterback skills to find wide receiver Cooper Barkate for the two-point conversion.

It’s the first time this season Mensah has led in a back-and-forth game. He has successful experience from last year at Duke; now it was displayed in prime time. When the game is going smoothly, all eyes are on the quarterback. Mensah didn’t falter on the empty drives, incompleted plays, or the interception.

As head coach Mario Cristobal said postgame, “ The guy has football amnesia.”

The Hurricanes still have the highest-scoring offense (averaging 48.5 points) and Mensah leads with the best completion percentage (80.8) in the FBS. They overcame the Seminoles and the rust that can come with a bye week. The Hurricanes will return to Hard Rock Stadium for next Saturday’s matchup against the Pitt Panthers.

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