Sports
Malachi Toney’s 16 catches lead Miami past Pittsburgh, 52-23
The Miami receiver set a Hurricanes single-game record with 16 receptions, finishing with 194 yards and three touchdowns. No. 1 Miami improved to 7-0 with a decisive win over Pittsburgh at Hard Rock Stadium.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Malachi Toney set a Miami single-game record with 16 receptions as the top-ranked Hurricanes beat Pittsburgh 52-23 on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium.
The 19-year-old wide receiver finished with 194 yards and three touchdowns, breaking the mark of 13 catches he set in Miami’s season-opening game against Stanford. His three scores brought his season total to 11 receiving touchdowns.
Quarterback Darian Mensah completed 31 of 37 passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Miami, playing its first game since reaching No. 1 in the college football rankings, totaled 506 yards to Pittsburgh’s 403.
The Hurricanes took an early lead with Jake Weinberg’s 40-yard field goal, then extended it when freshman running back Javian Mallory scored on a 16-yard run. Pittsburgh answered with a 5-yard touchdown run by Damon Ferguson after Miami failed to convert on fourth-and-1.
Toney returned to the game after briefly visiting the injury tent with an apparent right ankle injury. He caught a 53-yard touchdown pass after breaking two tackles, then added another touchdown before halftime. Miami went into the break with a commanding lead, with Toney accounting for 12 catches, 159 yards and two scores.
He broke his own receptions record with his 14th catch in the second half. Mallory followed with a 2-yard touchdown run, and Toney later caught his third scoring pass from Mensah, who threw his fourth touchdown of the day.
Pittsburgh’s Cataurus “Blue” Hicks caught a 36-yard touchdown early in the second half. The Panthers added a safety in the fourth quarter and a 49-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Corey Dailey to Cam Sapp.
Mallory and Mark Fletcher Jr. combined for 88 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. Miami’s defense also forced a fumble, recorded a sack and stopped Pittsburgh on fourth down near the goal line.
Miami (7-0, 5-0 ACC) is scheduled to host North Carolina next Saturday. Pittsburgh (5-3, 2-3 ACC) is set to host Georgia Tech.