South Florida

Let's look back at how the football season started for the UM Hurricanes

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

The articles all highlight key factors in Miami’s push for the 2025 College Football Playoff. They focus on ranked wins, team depth, and defensive changes. Each piece points to how Miami aims to build a stronger playoff case through improvement and strategic moves.

Miami changed defensive coordinators and added new staff to address last season's struggles on defense. They brought in transfers, especially in the secondary, to strengthen weak positions. Miami has won against top-10 opponents, including Notre Dame and Florida State, showing they can compete in big games. Several articles detail Miami’s depth, with players like Armondo Blount set to step up, and quarterback Carson Beck leading key drives. One report tracks Miami’s NFL draft progress, reflecting the program’s development under Mario Cristobal. Another notes Miami’s first loss against Louisville, stressing the need for consistency and execution to sustain a playoff run.

Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman directs players during spring practice at the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Miami on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, in Coral Gables, Florida. By D.A. Varela

NO. 1: MIAMI HURRICANES ‘NEEDED TO MAKE SOME CHANGES’ ON DEFENSE. WILL THEY PAN OUT?

“After Week 4 last year, we took a downturn. We slipped defensively.’ | Published July 24, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordan McPherson

Aug 31, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Armondo Blount (18) and Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Cole McConathy II (44) celebrate against the Florida Gators after the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-USA TODAY Sports

NO. 2: 30 KEY MIAMI HURRICANES FOR 2025 SEASON: WILL ARMONDO BLOUNT TAKE THE NEXT STEP?

The Miami Hurricanes kick off the 2025 season on Aug. | Published August 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordan McPherson

Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal on the field with the Canes during warmups before the NCAA football game against Syracuse Orange in the JMA Wireless Dome at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York on Saturday, November 30, 2024. By PHOTO BY AL DIAZ

NO. 3: CRISTOBAL CONFIDENT IN HURRICANES’ DEPTH. WILL IT FINALLY GET THEM OVER THE HUMP?

Mario Cristobal has told the story a few times during the past couple months. | Published August 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordan McPherson

Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal celebrates after his team defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their NCAA football game at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. By Photo by Matias J. Ocner

NO. 4: MIAMI HURRICANES, AFTER BLOWING 14-POINT LEAD, BEAT NOTRE DAME IN TOP-10 MATCHUP

The Miami Hurricanes entered Hard Rock Stadium on a mission. | Published September 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordan McPherson

Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal celebrates after his team defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in their NCAA football game at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. By Photo by Matias J. Ocner

NO. 5: SEE PHOTOS OF MIAMI’S SEASON-OPENING VICTORY AGAINST NOTRE DAME

The University of Miami opened its college football season with a marquee matchup as the 10th-ranked Hurricanes beat the sixth-ranked Fighting Irish 27-24 at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday night. | Published September 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by John Devine

Miami Hurricanes wide receiver CJ Daniels (7) and offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa (61) celebrate after Daniels scores in the first half of the NCAA game against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, on Saturday, October 4, 2025. By PHOTO BY AL DIAZ

NO. 6: NO. 3 HURRICANES BEAT NO. 18 FLORIDA STATE TO CONTINUE BUILDING PLAYOFF RESUME

The Miami Hurricanes’ latest big test in a season filled with expectations? | Published October 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordan McPherson

Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (10) celebrates after scoring in the first half against the Florida State Seminoles in their NCAA game at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida, on Saturday, October 4, 2025. By AL DIAZ

NO. 7: COTE: EVERYTHING’S POSSIBLE FOR NO. 3 HURRICANES AFTER 28-22 WIN AT FSU | OPINION

This might have been the night the Miami Hurricanes finally lost. | Published October 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Greg Cote

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.