No. 1 Miami Hurricanes Stay Undefeated With Win Over Pitt in 2001 Championship Celebration

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.  – While celebrating the 25th anniversary of the 2001 National Championship, with legends such as Edgerrin James, Warren Sapp, Cam Portis, Andre Johnson, Ed Reed and Jimmy Johnson in attendance, the No. 1 Miami Hurricanes showed similar dominance to the past with a 52-23 win over the Pitt Panthers on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium.

Although the execution wasn’t as clean as it’s been before, head coach Mario Cristobal has officially led the Coral Gables program to a 7-0 start for the second time in three seasons.

Quarterback Darian Mensah was efficient, but had to overcome internal adversity. He completed 31 of 37 passes (83.8 percent) for 387 yards, throwing for four touchdowns with no interceptions. Mensah was sacked three times and the Hurricanes were called for eight offensive penalties for 59 yards; three came from starting right guard Seuseu “SJ” Alofatilu.

Star wide receiver Malachi Toney continues to deliver a tremendous impact. He caught 16 passes for 194 yards and scored three touchdowns. When the Hurricanes were caught in a difficult situation, Toney answered the call. The 19-year-old finished with four of the offense’s 10 explosive passing plays, including a 53-yard touchdown.

In Toney fashion, the Liberty City (Fla.) native broke another program record. The 16 catches were the most for a single game in “The U’s” history. In the first half, Toney had 159 receiving yards, which was Pitt's total up at that point.

The Panthers entered the game with the best rushing defense in the Football Bowl Subdivision. While the defensive unit lived up to the reputation for the most part, the Hurricanes were able to slip through the cracks. Freshman Javian Mallory led with 47 rushing yards on seven carries and scored two touchdowns. He had two of the Hurricanes’ four explosive plays from the ground:

- 20-yard dash up the middle

- 16-yard rushing touchdown

Mallory and Mark Fletcher Jr. combined for 88 of the Hurricanes’ 119 rushing yards.

“They made themselves hard to tackle,” Cristobal said. “The way they play, they’re going to get one or two extra hands on the ball. The yards are going to be muddy and bloody. You better keep going in there because it opens up a lot of play action.”

Pitt head coach Pat Narduzzi stuck with fifth-year quarterback Holden Geriner for a majority of the game. He completed just 18 of 32 passes (56.3 percent), throwing for 268 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions.

The Hurricanes scored on eight of 10 drives before the starters were pulled – seven touchdowns and a field goal. Despite all the offensive highlights, the defense gave up 403 total yards, including nine explosive passing plays, such as a 53-yard catch to Panthers senior wide receiver Cataurus Hicks. The secondary still has more room to improve ahead of traveling to North Carolina for next Saturday’s matchup against the Tar Heels.

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