South Florida

Before the UM Hurricanes play in the Fiesta Bowl, let's take a look back

Stories by Miami Herald journalists, with AI summarization

The articles all track Miami’s 2025 Hurricanes as they build a playoff push, focusing on growing talent, integrating new transfers, notching early wins, and addressing fresh challenges. Miami’s roster changes shape season expectations, with newcomers like wide receiver Malachi Toney and center James Brockermeyer poised to play key roles. Returning contributors such as Damari Brown and new transfer Xavier Lucas fight for spots in a remade secondary.

The Hurricanes grab attention with an opening win over Notre Dame, led by quarterback Carson Beck, who also breaks a school record for consecutive completions against Bethune-Cookman. The team backs up these statements by beating ranked teams early, highlighted by a decisive result over USF and a comeback win at Florida State. Coaching emphasizes getting starters reps then building depth, using games like the Bethune-Cookman matchup for younger players to gain experience. The storylines focus on Miami’s roster transitions, early statement wins, and the chase for a playoff berth.

UM wide receiver Malachi Toney (12) catches a touchdown pass in the first half as during the Miami Hurricanes football spring game at Cobb Stadium on UM’s campus in Coral Gables, Florida on Saturday, April 12, 2025. By PHOTO BY AL DIAZ

NO. 1: 30 KEY MIAMI HURRICANES FOR 2025 SEASON: MALACHI TONEY HAS SKILL TO HELP AS A FRESHMAN

The Miami Hurricanes kick off the 2025 season on Aug. | Published August 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordan McPherson

Miami Hurricanes defensive back Damari Brown (6) on the field before the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons for their NCAA game in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, November 23, 2024. By PHOTO BY AL DIAZ

NO. 2: 30 KEY MIAMI HURRICANES FOR 2025 SEASON: DAMARI BROWN READY TO PUT INJURY BEHIND HIM

The Miami Hurricanes kick off the 2025 season on Aug. | Published August 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordan McPherson

Miami Hurricanes linebacker Braylon Lamar (45) works with offensive lineman James Brockermeyer (52) during football practice at the Carol Soffer Indoor Practice Facility at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. By SAM NAVARRO

NO. 3: 30 KEY MIAMI HURRICANES FOR 2025 SEASON: JAMES BROCKERMEYER UM’S LATEST TRANSFER CENTER

The Miami Hurricanes kick off the 2025 season on Aug. | Published August 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordan McPherson

Xavier Lucas (6) and the other defensive backs walk onto the field during Miami Hurricanes football practice on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. By Alie Skowronski

NO. 4: 30 KEY MIAMI HURRICANES FOR 2025 SEASON: XAVIER LUCAS LOOKS LIKE TOP-END CORNERBACK

The Miami Hurricanes kick off the 2025 season on Aug. | Published August 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordan McPherson

Miami Hurricanes wide receiver CJ Daniels (7) on a one handed catch for the touchdown in the second quarter against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during an NCAA football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, August 31, 2025. By PHOTO BY AL DIAZ

NO. 5: COTE: MIAMI UPSETS NOTRE DAME. DO CANES HAVE YOUR ATTENTION, AMERICA? | OPINION

Miami Hurricanes beloved championship-era coach Jimmy Johnson had the honor Sunday night to crank UM’s “Hurricane Siren,” a new home-game tradition that debuted vs. | Published September 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Greg Cote

Miami Hurricanes mascot Sebastian the Ibis greets fans as they wait for players to arrive at Hard Rock Stadium before the team’s NCAA football game against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. By Photo by Matias J. Ocner

NO. 6: LIVE UPDATES: NO. 5 MIAMI HURRICANES BLOW OUT BETHUNE-COOKMAN WILDCATS 45-3

The game went as expected. | Published September 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordan McPherson

Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal gestures as he makes his way back to the locker room after his team defeated Bethune-Cookman Wildcats in their NCAA football game at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. By Photo by Matias J. Ocner

NO. 7: MIAMI HURRICANES SHOWCASE THE PROPER MINDSET IN BLOWOUT WIN OVER BETHUNE-COOKMAN

The Miami Hurricanes weren’t focused on doing anything flashy on Saturday, although there was plenty of flash to come from the outing. | Published September 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordan McPherson

Miami Hurricanes head coach Mario Cristobal and South Florida Bulls head coach Alex Golesh shake hands after this NCAA college football game at the Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. By MATIAS J. OCNER

NO. 8: MARIO CRISTOBAL KNOWS THE CHALLENGE THE MIAMI HURRICANES WILL FACE WITH USF

Mario Cristobal understands the test ahead for his fifth-ranked Miami Hurricanes. | Published September 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jordan McPherson

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) and head coach Mario Cristobal walk off the field after the Canes defeat the South Florida Bulls during their NCAA football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, September 13, 2025. By PHOTO BY AL DIAZ

NO. 9: 8 NOTABLE STATS FROM MIAMI HURRICANES’ WIN OVER USF BULLS TO IMPROVE TO 3-0

The fifth-ranked Miami Hurricanes defeated the No. | Published September 14, 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. 10: 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.