The Miami Hurricanes had the nation’s attention on Saturday with ESPN’s “College GameDay” broadcasting from campus and a primetime rivalry game against the Florida Gators at Hard Rock Stadium.
UM made the most of the opportunity, beating UF 26-7 and finishing non-conference play undefeated for the third year in a row.
Here are five things we learned in the Hurricanes’ fourth win of the year:
1. Rely on the big men
Not everything went right for Miami on Saturday night. After opening the game with a touchdown on its first drive, UM’s offense sputtered and struggled, allowing the Gators to stay in the game despite their own offensive issues.
But when push came to shove, the Hurricanes have a group of men in the trenches who can ultimately bully their way past the opposition.
On offense, Miami’s offensive line paved the way for the game-securing, fourth-quarter drive that included 10 runs on 13 plays. The offensive line allowed just six pressures and one sack. Three of the five starting linemen received 80 or better grades in pass blocking (left tackle Markel Bell led the way with an 88.2 grade).
“We’re digging our feet in the ground, keep our head up and run behind our pads,” Bell said.
On defense, Miami’s line continued its dominant start to the year. Rueben Bain Jr. was excellent (more on him later), and UM got strong contributions from Akheem Mesidor (four tackles, 0.5 sacks, 83.3 defensive grade), Marquise Lightfoot (two tackles, one sack, 87.9 defensive grade) and Ahmad Moten Sr. (two quarterback hurries).
“It’s easy to get a good pass rush when we’ve got two of the best pass rushers in the country,” linebacker Mo Toure said.
2. Temper the burgeoning Carson Beck Heisman hype
Carson Beck’s first three games as a Hurricane were very good. After three contests, he had turned the ball over only twice and was leading the nation in completion percentage. His Heisman odds had risen to the top of some sports books.
But Beck had his worst performance in his short Miami career on Saturday. Florida held him to a completion percentage of only 57 percent, and he threw an interception. It was the third-lowest completion percentage in a full game of his career. Pro Football Focus gave him a 55.9 passing grade for the game, which was his third-lowest mark in a full game of his starting career.
Beck credited UF defensive coordinator Ron Roberts, who kept Beck in check last year when the quarterback was at Georgia, for putting together a strong defensive game plan, and he said he had a lot to work on in the upcoming bye week.
3. Defense rules the day
Miami’s defense was dominant in the win, holding Florida to one of its worst offensive performances in decades.
The Gators had just 141 yards of total offense, which was their lowest total since 1999. They stymied Florida on all 13 third-down attempts (UF was 3 of 6 on fourth downs). It was the first time since 2022 that the Gators failed to reach 10 points. Florida had an abysmal 0.2 pass-blocking grade against Miami.
Miami held touted Florida quarterback DJ Lagway to 61 passing yards on 12 of 23 passing.
“We just fly around, communicate, trust in our coaches,” Bain said.
4. Power running rules
With Beck and the passing game struggling, Miami turned to running backs Mark Fletcher Jr. and Marty Brown. They did not disappoint.
Fletcher had his second straight 100-yard game, notching 116 yards and a score. PFF gave him a 73.8 run grade for the game. Brown had 80 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including the score that put Miami ahead 19-7 and put the game out of reach. He also had a touchdown taken off the board when referees ruled the defense stopped his forward progress on a fourth-and-1 run.
“The way we show up every day and compete against each other in the RB room is just like a brotherhood,” Brown said. “We hold each other accountable day in and day out, and it’s nothing to show up during game day and give it our all.”
5. All aboard the Bain train
Bain has been nothing short of the nation’s top defensive lineman in the first four weeks of the season.
The junior had another stellar game this week, making seven tackles with half a sack and a tackle for loss. PFF gave him a 93.8 defensive grade — his fourth-straight game where he eclipsed a 90. PFF credited him with 10 quarterback pressures, which was the second most of any player in the nation this week.
Bain’s defensive grade was No. 1 in the nation for Week 4, and his 95.8 defensive grade is No. 1 in the nation among players with more than 10 snaps.
“Legit NFL defensive lineman,” PFF NFL draft analyst Trevor Sikkema said. “Hard to name 10 better players in the 2026 class right now.”
Rueben Bain, man. Legit NFL defensive lineman. Hard to name 10 better players in the 2026 class right now (I can’t) pic.twitter.com/qEZ9tsNWm9
— Trevor Sikkema (@TampaBayTre) September 21, 2025
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2025/09/21/five-things-we-learned-in-hurricanes-rivalry-win-vs-florida/
