MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In a rain-soaked top-10 clash at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday night, No. 10 Miami outlasted No. 6 Notre Dame 27-24, as transfer quarterback Carson Beck delivered a composed debut and freshman receiver Malachi ‘Baby Jesus’ Toney headlined a new-look Hurricanes offense. Carter Davis drilled a 47-yard field goal with 1:04 remaining, and Miami’s pass rush closed it out with back-to-back sacks to cap Mario Cristobal’s biggest statement win to date.
Key Takeaways
- Score and stage: No. 10 Miami beat No. 6 and 2024 national runner-up Notre Dame 27-24 in Miami Gardens, Fla.
- QB debut: Carson Beck went 20-of-30 for 205 yards and 2 TDs, finding seven receivers with no drops and a stretch of 12 straight completions.
- Freshman spark: Malachi Toney, a 17-year-old Fort Lauderdale native nicknamed ‘Baby Jesus,’ caught six passes, including gains of 13, 16 and 28 yards.
- Highlight grab: Former Liberty/LSU WR CJ Daniels made a spectacular one-handed 20-yard TD catch.
- Clutch finish: After Notre Dame tied it on a 68-yard pass with 3:21 left, Carter Davis hit a 47-yard go-ahead FG; the Irish got the ball back with 1:04 but didn’t cross midfield.
- Defense delivers: Under new DC Corey Hetherman, Miami held the Irish to 114 yards and seven points through three quarters and limited RB Jeremiyah Love to 33 yards on 10 carries.
- Game-sealing rush: Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. recorded consecutive sacks on Notre Dame’s final drive; Bain also had a tipped-and-kicked INT earlier.
- Scene-setter: More than 66,000 fans braved steady rain; former coach Jimmy Johnson sounded the pregame siren.
Verified Facts
Beck’s first Miami start showed the partnership he lacked a season ago at Georgia, where Bulldog receivers led the nation with 36 drops in 2024. On Sunday, Miami’s receivers were clean, consistently creating separation and finishing plays. Beck’s line — 20-for-30, 205 yards, two touchdowns — reflected a mistake-averse night tailored to the conditions.
Toney immediately looked the part of a difference-maker, totaling six receptions and explosive chunk gains that extended drives. Daniels provided the game’s signature moment: a full-extension, one-handed snag for a 20-yard score that energized a soaked, sold-out lower bowl.
Miami controlled long stretches up front. Running back Mark Fletcher churned out 66 hard yards, while the offensive line protected well until a brief mid-fourth-quarter lull that coincided with Notre Dame’s rally.
Defensively, the Hurricanes played with edge in Corey Hetherman’s debut as coordinator. Through three quarters, Notre Dame managed just 114 yards and seven points. The Irish did land a late haymaker — a 68-yard strike on busted coverage to tie the game with 3:21 left — but Miami countered with a composed two-minute drive to set up Davis’ 47-yarder.
On Notre Dame’s last possession, first-year starting QB CJ Carr faced relentless pressure. Mesidor and Bain logged consecutive sacks, ending the threat. Bain’s earlier interception — off a tipped ball that deflected and was inadvertently kicked before settling into his grasp — set up a key Miami field goal.
| Miami leaders | Stat |
|---|---|
| Carson Beck (QB) | 20/30, 205 yards, 2 TD |
| Malachi Toney (WR) | 6 receptions; long gains of 13/16/28 |
| CJ Daniels (WR) | 20-yard one-handed TD catch |
| Mark Fletcher (RB) | 66 rushing yards |
| Carter Davis (K) | 47-yard game-winning FG (1:04 left) |
Context & Impact
This was the kind of test Cristobal’s rebuild has been aiming toward in Year 4. The trajectory — five wins, then seven, then 10 last season (one game shy of a playoff bid) — now includes a top-10 win over a recent national runner-up. Miami’s receivers, a shortcoming in prior years, looked like an asset alongside a poised SEC-proven quarterback.
Beyond the headline win, the sustainable pieces stood out: cleaner execution in the rain, an offensive line that controlled tempo for long stretches, and a defense that mixed pressure with discipline for three quarters. If replicated, that profile travels — a key for conference play and any playoff pursuit.
For Notre Dame, the late surge showcased resilience with CJ Carr guiding a rapid response. But protection issues on the final series and a muted ground game will be focal points heading into September.
Official Statements
‘I told them we were going to go score,’ Beck said of the huddle before Miami’s go-ahead drive.
Carson Beck, Miami QB
Cristobal praised Toney as ‘special’ and noted the staff tried to keep the freshman under wraps during camp.
Mario Cristobal, Miami head coach
Unconfirmed
- Beck’s NIL compensation has been widely reported at more than $3 million annually; exact terms were not disclosed by Miami.
Bottom Line
Miami’s first big-stage test of 2025 checked the boxes: a steady quarterback, trustworthy receivers, a physical front and a defense with timely playmaking. One September win does not guarantee a renaissance, but the Hurricanes looked like a legitimate contender — and not just because of the score.