Top-ranked Miami faces its most challenging test of the season without its premier offensive playmaker, as sophomore wide receiver Malachi Toney will undergo surgery on a high ankle sprain suffered during practice, The Associated Press reported Wednesday night.
The Hurricanes, undefeated at 8-0 and ranked No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings, travel to South Bend on Saturday to meet Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish stand 7-1 and hold the No. 11 spot in the selection committee’s initial postseason rankings, while sitting at No. 4 in the AP poll.
A major blow to the Hurricanes offense
Toney hurt his ankle during Wednesday morning’s workout. An unnamed individual familiar with the matter told The Associated Press that surgery was slated to address the sprain, sidelining the sophomore for multiple weeks. While a specific recovery timeline remains undetermined until after the procedure, the player is anticipated to miss the remainder of the regular season, according to reports from ESPN and 247Sports. Both outlets indicated the team hopes Toney could return if Miami qualifies for the postseason.
The loss removes one of the most prolific offensive weapons in college football. Across eight games, Toney caught 73 passes for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns, ranking second nationally in both receptions and receiving scores, and third in yardage. He represents more than a third of Miami’s total pass receptions and roughly 46 percent of the team’s touchdown catches this autumn.
Speaking prior to the injury news, Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman praised the Miami receiver, as reported by NBC Sports:
“He’s as good as anyone you’ll see.”
With Toney absent, quarterback Darian Mensah must lean on secondary targets such as Cooper Barkate, who has recorded 372 receiving yards and four touchdowns, and Daylyn Upshaw, who has collected 263 yards and two scores, Yahoo Sports reported.
Notre Dame’s defensive test
Even without Toney, the Hurricanes bring significant firepower into South Bend. Mensah, a transfer who previously played at Tulane and Duke, has completed 80.7 percent of his attempts this season, putting him in contention for an NCAA single-season accuracy record, Fighting Irish Wire reported. Mensah and Toney had both emerged among the leading contenders for the Heisman Trophy entering November.
On the ground, Miami splits carries between Mark Fletcher and explosive true freshman Jordan Lyle Mallory, who is averaging seven yards per attempt. Fighting Irish Wire noted that forcing Miami into one-dimensional play will be a priority for the Irish defense, which enters the contest ranked as the top unit in the nation, according to The Associated Press.
Playoff stakes in South Bend
The matchup carries immense weight for both programs, serving as a rematch of last season’s opening-week meeting won by Miami. That previous result ultimately handed the Hurricanes the final at-large berth into the 12-team playoff bracket while leaving Notre Dame on the outside.
Notre Dame can solidify its path into the 12-team field by taking down the nation’s top-ranked squad. Miami, meanwhile, must navigate an unforgiving finishing stretch without its primary target. Following Saturday’s road game, the Hurricanes host Duke, Virginia Tech, and Boston College before a potential appearance in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game on Dec. 5.
