Miami, Florida –ย With an impressive victory to start the year, the fifth-ranked Miami Hurricanes prepare for their next opponent, the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. Third-year coach Raymond Woodie Jr. leads the Wildcats as the 16th head coach of the program. Bethune-Cookman comes to town in the middle of a three-game road trip, coming off a 42-9 loss to Florida International. The victory is the first for new FIU head coach Willie Simmons. UM stomped the Wildcats 48-7 back in 2023, leading the overall series 7-0. This is a tune-up game for the Hurricanes and arguably their easiest opponent on the entire schedule. Miami is the heavy favorite looking to go 2-0 while the Wildcats search for their first win of the season.
It’s worth noting that Bethune-Cookman did not score a touchdown during the FIU game, kicking three field goals. The question is what the final score will be, and whether the Wildcats will score their first touchdown against a seemingly improved Hurricane defense. Let’s take a look at the key players.
Our captains for Week 2 ๐
Tickets: https://t.co/KF8gVrIN8a pic.twitter.com/90O5Hqi955
— Miami Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) September 4, 2025
Players to watch
Miami Hurricanes
Malachi Toney
Miami True Freshman WR Malachi Toney catches his 1st Career TD as a Cane
Big contributor already, and crazy enough, heโs still supposed to be in high school (reclassed last fall)
Learn the name ๐pic.twitter.com/BmxfkTwxlS
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) September 1, 2025
The secret weapon is no longer a secret. The 17-year-old freshman was the top wide receiver in week 1, recording six receptions for 82 yards and the team’s first TD of 2025. It will be interesting to see if he becomes the top target again in a contest that might see Carson Beck spread the ball around. Malachi Toney has an excellent matchup that will give him further experience with the real chance of racking up two or even three touchdowns.
Mark Fletcher Jr.
MARK FLETCHER JR. EXTENDS MIAMI'S LEAD ๐ค
๐บ ABC pic.twitter.com/kf3ZBRn1GL
— ESPN (@espn) August 31, 2024
As the wide receivers were out there impressing the crowd, the running game did its thing, eating up clock and, more importantly, wearing down the defense. Mark Fletcher rushed for 66 yards and is primed to log his first trip to the endzone this weekend. I expect the RB Corps to be heavily involved on Saturday, with at least one running back accumulating 100+ yards. Why not Fletcher? FIU churned out 223 yards on the ground, including six rushing TDs. There will be a feast.
Reuben Bain Jr.
Future 2026 1st round pick DE Rueben Bain Jr. comes away with a phenomenal hustle interception.
Having a great day, justifying the hype coming his way. Early Top-10 player on my big board. pic.twitter.com/5eDiWpCEvD
— Andy (@AndyyNFL) September 1, 2025
Tallying six tackles, 0.5 sacks, and an interception, Reuben Bain was thoroughly present versus Notre Dame, making a critical interception that stemmed the Fighting Irish’s momentum. The Bain Train can pad his numbers by being a terror with a far easier opponent. He’s anchoring an improved defense that’s going to try shutting out a team searching for a huge upset, or barring lofty success, at least a touchdown.
Bethune Cookman
Timmy McClain
This is Timmy McClain, starting quarterback for Bethune-Cookman tonight against FIU.
He made this play a couple years ago when he was at UCF.
Also a lefty QB, so itโll be a battle of two lefty quarterbacks. pic.twitter.com/JkDyMhRYCm
— Kevin Barral (@kevin_barral) August 29, 2025
He didn’t put up six, but Timmy McClain didn’t throw a pick either. Completing 18 of 28 passes for 164 yards, the backup QB tallied better numbers and warrants additional snaps against UM. We will likely see the Cats utilize both QBs like they did at FIU. Redshirt senior Cam’Ron Ransom completed five of 10 for 77 yards. Together, the duo generated 241 yards in the air.
Javon Ross
What we work for.
๐ฝ๏ธ IG: @shottby_elii #๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ฉ๐จ | #๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐๐ค๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ง pic.twitter.com/Tm5TCoeiZi
— ๐ Bethune-Cookman Football (@BCUGridiron) August 30, 2025
The leading receiver Javon Ross caught six passes for 109 yards against the Panthers. Ross averaged 18.2 yards a catch, blowing past his fellow teammates, making a statement on his explosive capabilities. If there was anyone on this team who could nab the first TD, it’s the sophomore. Javon played in nine games at the wide receiver position as a true freshman, hauling in 10 catches for 86 yards.
Marqui Johnson
Into the Storm. ๐ผ ๐
๐ Saturday, September 6
๐ Miami
โฐ 7pm๐ Miami Gardens, FL
๐๏ธ Hard Rock Stadium
๐๏ธ https://t.co/8ivmrEuacL๐บ https://t.co/EkW8RguSPx
๐ป https://t.co/U0EXwmxgk7#๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ฉ๐จ | #๐๐ง๐๐ฎ๐๐ค๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ง pic.twitter.com/1eootaEhap— ๐ Bethune-Cookman Football (@BCUGridiron) September 1, 2025
The passing game found a lot more success than the rush, with the latter held to 105 yards. Marqui Johnson recorded nine carries for 76 yards. Can’t fault them too much, considering FIU was already running away with it by halftime, forcing the Wildcats to ditch the run. Johnson will have trouble getting the rock and doing anything meaningful.
Prediction
Miami is going to win. The question is by how much? 59-6 and the Wildcats go another week without logging a TD.
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