How the 2025 ACC Rookie of the Year & Darian Mensah Can Lead the 2026 Hurricanes Over Florida A&M
On Friday, September 4th, the Miami Hurricanes played their first game of the 2026 season against the Stanford Cardinal. During this Week One matchup, Miami cruised by Stanford in a dominant 45-6 win. 2025 ACC Rookie of the Year Malachi Toney set a school record, surpassing a 40-year mark when the 18-year-old finished with 233 receiving yards, while newly transferred quarterback Darian Mensah from Duke shined, throwing for over 400 yards and five touchdowns with only three incompletions. Heading into Week Two, the Hurricanes head home to Hard Rock Stadium for the first time for a Thursday night matchup with the Florida A&M Rattlers, who are 1-1 with a 20-7 Week Zero win over Albany State, then a 31-13 Week One loss to South Carolina State.
So how does Miami stay consistent after a great start to the new season? On offense, it starts with Mensah, who brings strong leadership and makes calls with offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Shannon Dawson, as well as head coach Mario Cristobal. The 21-year-old quarterback is the most mobile QB the Hurricanes have seen, and that wasn’t shown in Week One, as he was so effective and explosive throwing the pigskin. If the Rattlers’ defense puts pressure on Miami's O-line, then that’s when we could see Mensah use his legs more. However, his connection and consistency with Toney, as well as Cooper Barkate, will be what’s key for the Hurricanes offense all season long. The 23-year-old had four receptions for 67 receiving yards and a touchdown during the win over Stanford. After Toney’s incredible Week One performance, we could see Florida A&M try to double or even triple team the 18-year-old receiver, which means Barkate will play a bigger role for Miami.
During their Week Zero win, Rattlers quarterback Isaiah Knowles went 14 for 23 with 190 passing yards and a touchdown. However, the following week, he struggled, going seven for 22 with just 94 passing yards. Freshman receiver Maliek Denmark finished with 62 yards on just two receptions in Week Zero, while Kieren Jackson stepped up in Week One, catching four passes for 69 receiving yards. Florida A&M is going to have a lifetime performance if they want to have a chance to upset a Miami team that’s eyeing to win a National Championship.
Mensah needs to continue to be comfortable in Miami’s offense. With a great performance last week, his confidence should have only skyrocketed. As long as the 21-year-old is okay and his weapons in Toney and Barkate are at the top of the game, the Hurricanes should be in cruise control. Miami’s defense will keep looking to continue being a threat to any opponent. The Rattlers need to see a breakout performance from their entire offense. Knowles, Denmark, Jackson, and head coach Quinn Fordham Gray Sr. will need an unbelievable game plan to upset the Hurricanes, especially a highly motivated Miami squad.
With their blowout loss last week, the Rattlers should expect another blowout defeat here. The Hurricanes are aiming to ball out all season long, with Mensah and Toney as early Heisman favorites; Miami’s QB and top WR will continue to keep the trend going. I would expect the score to be just how it was in the win against Stanford. Anticipate another 40-point, perhaps 45-point blowout win for Miami.
