A pre-road trip promise fuels Francis Mauigoa and the Miami Hurricanes' championship drive. They're claiming Hard Rock Stadium for one final, decisive victory.
The Miami Hurricanes have played five road games, traveling over 6,000 miles, since Nov. 15th, 2025. That was the last time they played at Hard Rock Stadium, facing the North Carolina State Wolfpack, winning dominantly, with a final score of 41-7. Now, the team has an opportunity to win a National Championship in their home stadium.
Offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa revealed a deal that was made before the long-distance road trips.
"After our last home game of the season," he said at Media Day on Saturday. "We made a deal that we weren't done with Hard Rock [Stadium] yet. This [National Championship] is going to be our last game at Hard Rock for this season, we're not leaving anything behind."
After the Hurricanes' victory over the Wolfpack, there was still uncertainty about whether or not they would be in the College Football Playoffs in the first place. They defied the odds and have overcome multiple obstacles since cracking the 12-team bracket.
Mauigoa has played a critical role within the offensive line, protecting quarterback Carson Beck, and creating gaps for running backs to capitalize on. He isn't homegrown like some of the other players, originally from Ili'ili, American Samoa, but has embraced everything Mario Cristobal and the Hurricanes had to offer.
Having a head coach who's a former offensive lineman made it easier.
"It's part of why I chose the University of Miami," Mauigoa added. "He's been a leader, been under coach [Nick] Saban, but he, himself, is a great leader. He's always with the offensive lineman. He pushes us the most. We're the tone setters right now."
The 20-year-old joined the Hurricanes a year after Cristobal's inaugural season, which finished with a 5-7 record. It was the early stages of the program's rebuild, but alongside a few others, Mauigoa stayed loyal to the process and is seeing the benefits from it.
The junior All-American has an opportunity to close his collegiate career on a high note, as he's expected to declare for the upcoming NFL draft, projected to be a first-round selection.
The Hurricanes' hunt for a sixth National Championship has been a long time coming, over two decades. Mauigoa, along with many others, has a chance to be remembered in program and college football history.
It's going to take another great performance by him and the rest of the offensive linemen to protect Beck and establish the run against the Indiana Hoosiers.
"Whatever it takes," Mauigoa said. "1-0."
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