Miami, Florida – The fourth-ranked Miami Hurricanes overcame a sloppy performance on offense to beat the Florida Gators 26-7 at Hard Rock Stadium. Fans watched a wet, physical game between intrastate rivals that saw UM score a touchdown on its opening drive after dominating the Gators’ initial possession, which resulted in negative yardage. Things went downhill from there as the Cardiac Canes were forced to settle for a pair of field goals. Miami wouldn’t return to the endzone until the fourth quarter, largely due to a bad call by the officials. CharMar Brown charged into a wall of players and seemingly broke away, dashing downfield. Despite the success, whistles on the play negated what appeared to be a Hurricanes touchdown early in the third period.
Looked like a touchdown run to me.#GoCanes || #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/tVf6kgt0v5
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) September 21, 2025
Carson Beck had a bad night, completing 17 of 30 passes for 160 yards and an interception. The defense, meanwhile, held Florida to 141 total yards, including 32 yards at halftime when they led 13-0. UF recorded only seven first downs the entire contest and was 0-for-13 on third down.
Here comes Jakobe 💪
With a little tribute to the great @raylewis 🙌
📺: ABC pic.twitter.com/GTKzfu8g5A
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) September 21, 2025
The Gators’ sole touchdown came in the third, a drive that consisted of 11 plays (10 rushing) covering 80 yards, ending with Jadan Baugh scoring on a seven-yard dash. Miami’s defense regrouped, shutting down Florida the rest of the evening. Brown and Mark Fletcher Jr. were the bright spots on offense. Brown was the leading wide receiver and the second most productive rusher. Both players scored in the fourth quarter via a one-yard rushing TD, effectively putting away the Gators. Fletcher crossed the centennial mark for the second consecutive game, finishing with 116 yards on 24 carries. Brown tallied 74 yards on 17 carries, complemented by two rushing TDs. He also caught four passes for 53 yards. The tight end position saw action with Elija Lofton producing four catches for 43 yards. Freshman Malachi Toney came up with 40 yards on four receptions.
Trench power 💥
📺: ABC pic.twitter.com/8HcuZK2cYC
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) September 20, 2025
Defensively, Mohamed Toure, Rueben Bain Jr., and Jakobe Thomas were the top performers. Toure racked up 10 tackles, a sack, and a tackle for loss. Bain was part of a huge stop against the Gators, massing seven tackles, 0.5 sacks, and a TFL. Thomas had five tackles, a sack, and 1.5 TFL. The Hurricanes improve to 4-0, concluding their non-conference schedule. They now lead the overall series against Florida 31-27. They will be idle next weekend before taking a road trip to Florida State.
Renewing the rivalry
Carson Beck’s 22-yard pass to CharMar was nearly a touchdown. However, Marty stepped out of bounds on the six-yard line. Brown remained undeterred, scoring anyway on the two-yard rush. UM’s next drive started out promising, but James Brockermeyer’s illegal snap penalty, a sack, and a bad incomplete pass to Alex Bauman ended the drive with the Canes settling for the 53-yard field goal by kicker Carter Davis. Brockermeyer would commit three penalties before the night was through. Davis would hit a 28-yarder late in the second quarter, pushing forward an otherwise sputtering offense.
JAKOBE THOMAS WITH THE TFL ON 3RD DOWN!! pic.twitter.com/nCrjlhteR8
— Grant Speaks (@GrantSpeaks1) September 21, 2025
While the Cardiac Canes struggled to score, Florida found life during the third quarter. Flexing on four first downs, the Gators got on the board. Momentum continued to swing in UF’s favor when Beck’s deep pass up the middle, intended for CJ Daniels, was intercepted by Cormani McClain. Florida nearly cashed in, getting as far as Miami’s 33-yard line before the Canes came up with a big stop for the turnover on downs. The offense, after nine drives, finally recorded its second TD of the night via the combined efforts of Fletcher, Beck, and Brown. CharMar went airborne from the one for the 19-7 advantage. The ensuing two-point attempt failed, however. UF didn’t respond, and the Hurricanes buried the Gators for good thanks to Fletcher’s one-yard rushing TD.
How it went
A win is a win, as they say. Initially, I was going to give the defense a B+, but despite no takeaways, the numbers don’t lie. I’ve never seen a team in football, collegiate or professional, fail to convert on third down an entire game. Bethune-Cookman did better. The Wildcats managed 191 total yards and were 1-for-11 on third down. Let that sink in. Credit to the Gators’ defense. UM was sloppy since the first drive until the final period, and Florida’s D held the line, keeping the game close. Penalties remain an acute problem. Besides the ones on Brockermeyer, there was the false start on Anez Cooper midway through the first, and the delay of game after Daniels dropped the up the middle catch on 3rd and 9 on Florida’s 42 midway through the second quarter. Miami committed six penalties costing 30 yards.
Carson Beck postgame. He grew up a Gators fan and finished his college career 3-0 against them. Beck completed 17 of 30 passes for 160 YDS and 1 INT.#GoCanes || #ItsAllAboutTheU pic.twitter.com/LbWNl0EgK7
— Gabriel Garcia (@Gabewritesports) September 21, 2025
Then there were the passing problems. Beck looked like his Georgia self with the INT and the throw to Bauman’s back. I don’t know whose fault it is, but the play was outright bizarre. Before Saturday night’s game, their throws looked largely air-tight. I’m pleased with the tangible progress the defense has shown and hope the bye week helps the offense readjust. Florida State will not be easy.
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