Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Daylyn Upshaw (7) reacts to quarterback Darian Mensah (10) after scoring a touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal in the first half at Stanford Stadium on Fri Sep 4, 2026 (AP News photo)

Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (1-1, 0-1 ACC) Atlantic Coast Conference home opener was spoiled by the #7 Miami Hurricanes (1-0, 1-0 ACC), 45-6, turning a mild 70-degree gametime start into a stormy (scoring) night in the Bay on national television.

MIami acted in a benevolent way, by winning the coin flip, but deferring their possession until the second half.. Stanford was not able to capitalize on their early gift. After three down, Stanford was giving the ball right back to their South Florida visitors.

The Hurricanes absolutely took advantage of their initial possession. In less than three minutes into the game, Miami went on a 77-yard drive to open up the scoring for the two ACC combatants, ‘Canes’ QB Darian Mensah tossed a 23-yard TD to wide receiver Malachi Toney, putting the Sunshine State boys up 7-0. That would be only the beginning.

A little over four minutes later, the home team was able to scratch the scoreboard, with an Emmett Kenney 30-yard field goal. The Cardinal trailed by four, 7-3 at the midway point of the quarter. However, the Hurricane’s mighty winds would be in effect five minutes later.

The aforementioned touchdown combination of Mensah/Toney was at it again. The second one was on a 2-yard connection. With less than three minutes left in the initial quarter, Miami took an 11 points lead, 14-3. That advantage stayed the same at the quarter’s end. After one, Mensah had thrown two touchdown passes for 129 yards (8-8), while Toney caught two TDs for 89 yards.

The Hurricanes were not done with their damaging winds against the California trees. In the middle of the second quarter, running backCharMar “Marty” Brown crossed the end zone on a 5-yard run, to put his team up by 18 points, 213. After the 2:00 timeout, Mensah threw his third TD pass of the game. This one went to WR Daylyn Upshaw. The 25-point lead almost lasted until recess, but Stanford still showed their Cardinal pride. Kenney converted a 24-yard field goal with less than :30 left in the half. So, after 30 minutes of conference action, the Hurricanes led by 22 points, 28-6.

Mensah had three TD passes for 253 yards at the half, while Toney had his two TD receptions for 182 yards at the midpoint of the game.

Even with the large lead at the half, Miami had the distinction of receiving the ball, due to their early deferment. For the fourth time Mensah displayed his aerial skills, by hitting Cooper Burkate for a 34-yard TD strike. Three minutes into the second half, they found themselves up by 29 points, 35-6.

More than six minutes after the last score, Mensah to Toney happened again. The final connection between the two was for a 47-yard link.With nearly 5 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter, Mensah had thrown 5 TDs and amassed over 400 yards passing. With a whopping 42-6 lead and more than a quarter left in the game, the Hurricanes decided to give Mensah the rest of the game off and mercifully let the clock run out and leave the Bay with a victory.

However, late in the final quarter, Miami added another three points to their already impressive tally, when kicker Jake Weinberg booted a 46-yard field goal, and increased their gap to 39 points, 45-6. That score lasted until the final whistle, and the U had earned a W.

Mensah finished early with 27-30 (90%), 401 passing yards and five TDs. MalachiToney’s 234 yards receiving was a school record performance.

Stanford will next be in action Saturday, September 19 in Durham< NC, as they take on the Duke Blue Devils at 1 PM PT/4 PM ET on the CW. Miami flies back to South Florida to host Florida A&M Thursday, September 10 8 PM ET on the ACC Network/ACCNX.