Cardinal Blown out by the Category 5 Hurricanes 45-6, Friday Evening on the Farm

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.

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Cardinal face off against Miami Friday at Stanford Stadium

Davis Warren (8) starting quarterback for the Stanford Cardinal will be under center against the Miami Hurricane for Fri Sep 4, 2026 game at Stanford Stadium (Bay Area News Group photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Micahel Roberson:

#1 Can Davis Warren handle Miami’s pressure and give Stanford enough consistency at quarterback to keep the Cardinal competitive?

#2 Can Micah Ford and Sedrick Irvin establish Stanford’s running game against a Miami defense expected to challenge the Cardinal at the line of scrimmage?

#3 Will Jordan Onovughe emerge as a difference-maker in the passing game and help Stanford exploit Miami’s secondary?

#4 Can Ernest Cooper and Tevarua Tafiti generate enough pressure off the edge to disrupt Miami’s quarterback and slow down the Hurricanes’ offense?

#5 Can Jay Green and Cam Richardson lead a Stanford secondary capable of containing Miami’s talented receivers and preventing explosive plays?

Michael Roberson does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum: Stanford can’t do anything with Miami get crushed 42-7

Stanford Cardinal quarterback Ben Gulbranson (15) tries to get a pass away while under pressure from Miami Hurricanes defensive back Kelonte Scott (0) in the first half at Hard Stadium Miami on Sat Oct 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Stanford Cardinal (3-5) in the first half of their game in Miami against the Miami Hurricanes (6-1) was under control and it looked as if this might turn out to be a tight ball game as it wound up as a 7-7 tie after the first half.

#2 Second half it was just a blow out the Cardinal defense couldn’t shut down the Miami offense in the third quarter the Hurricane scored 21 points and in the fourth quarter the Hurricane scored 14 to put frosting on the cake for the 42-7.

#3 The Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck had lots of time to throw in the second half and piled up points for the win. Beck went 21-28, 189 yards and one touchdown.

#4 Stanford quarterback Ben Gulbranson struggled all afternoon completing only nine passes out of 21 attempts for 50 yards and one touchdown. Gulbranson was running for his life in the second half and couldn’t move the ball to the other end.

#5 Next up for the Cardinal the Pittsburgh Panthers (6-2). Pitt is on a roll they crushed the NC State Wolfpack (4-4) 53-34 on Saturday. Pitt’s quarterback Mason Heintschel had his way going 28-48 for 423 yards, three touchdowns. Will Stanford have their hands full again with another quarterback who could have all day to throw?

Join Daniel Dullum does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

No. 9 Hurricanes rout Cardinal 42-7 at Miami FL

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck Jr drops back on the Stanford Cardinal pass rush in the first half at Hard Rock Cafe Stadium in Miami Gardens on Sat Oct 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

No. 9 Miami (Fla.) used a big second half to pull away from Stanford 42-7 in Atlantic Coast Conference football Saturday in Miami.

The game was tied 7-7 at halftime before the Hurricanes (6-1 overall, 2-1 ACC) scored 21 points in the third quarter and 14 more in the fourth while shutting out Stanford for over three quarters.

Miami rolled up 404 yards in total offense to 144 for the Cardinal (3-5 overall, 2-3 ACC).

Mark Fletcher Jr. 106 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Miami attack. Quarterback Carson Beck completed 21 of 28 passes for 189 yards and a touchdown, and Jordan Lyle and Girard Pringle Jr. each ran for a touchdown.

“Mark Fletcher showed why he’s such a great player and why he’s so important to this football team.” Miami coach Mario Cristobal told AP.

The Hurricanes’ Malachi Toney contributed 138 all-purpose yards – 73 on two punt returns.

Cole Tabb was the Cardinal’s leading rusher with 64 yards in the first-ever football meeting between the schools. Ben Gulbranson threw a touchdown pass to Caden High in the first quarter. Gulbranson completed five of his first six passes or 31 yards, but as 4 for 15 for 19 yards with two interceptions after his successful start.

“I thought our defense did a pretty good job in the first half … and then they got after us real good in the second half,” Stanford head coach Frank Reich told AP.

Miami outscored the Cardinal 35-0 in the second half. After Stanford scored its early touchdown, it only had 25 total yards in its next eight possessions.

The Cardinal host Pittsburgh next Saturday with a 12:30 p.m. Pacific kickoff at Stanford Stadium.

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum: Next up Stanford takes on a very difficult Miami University can they pull it off?

Florida State Seminoles quarterback Tommy Castellanos (1) leaps into the end zone for a touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal whose defense had been having success much of the game at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Oct 18, 2025 (AP News photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 What adjustments did Stanford (3-4) make defensively in the fourth quarter to stop Florida State’s (3-4) late surge and secure the goal‑line stand on the final untimed down in the Cardinal 20-13 win?

#2 How did Florida State rack up 444 total yards of offense yet still fail to convert that production into a win? What key plays or opportunities did they squander?

#3 Stanford’s offense produced just 293 yards — what factors enabled them to score 20 points and win despite being outgained?

#4 What role did turnovers, penalties, or special‑teams mistakes play in the outcome of the game? Which ones were particularly costly?

#5 Stanford plays the Miami Hurricanes (5-1) next Sat Oct 25 at the University of Miami a 4:00pm PT kick off. The Hurricanes have been playing well winning three of their last four games. They did lose against the Louisville Cardinals in a close one last Saturday 24-21 for their first loss of the season. The Hurricane are 5-1 this one is on the road do you see the Cardinal with their hands full for this one?

Daniel Dullum does the Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden Bears work overtime to beat Hurricanes 98-94

Cal Bears guard Christian Tucker (22) lets everyone know that guard Jeremiah Wilkinson (0) scored 30 points in their win over the Miami Hurricanes at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley on Sat Jan 25, 2025 (Cal Bears X photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Saturday, January 25, 2025

Thanks to big nights from Jeremiah Wilkinson and DJ Campbell, California held off Miami (Fla.) 98-94 in overtime Saturday in Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball at Haas Pavilion.

Wilkinson bagged a career-high 30 points and Campbell scored a season-high 22 points to lead the Golden Bears (11-9 overall, 4-5 ACC). Wilkinson was 10 of 22 – including one 3 – from the field and 9 of 10 at the line. Campbell hit 5 of 12 shooting with 9 of 11 free throws.

Javan Blacksher Jr. Scored 11 points and Mady Sissoko grabbed 10 of the Golden Bears’ 41 rebounds in a game had 11 lead changes and was tied 10 times.

The Hurricanes (4-16 overall, 0-9 ACC) forced overtime when Matthew Cleveland took an inbounds pass and hit a 3-pointer with 4.6 seconds remaining in regulation, tying the game at 79-79.

In overtime, Campbell tallied six points during a 9-2 Cal run that gave the Golden Bears an 88-81 lead. Cal stretched its lead to 94-86 with 24 seconds left in the extra period. Miami wasn’t finished, however, as A.J. Staton-McCray sank back-to-back 3-pointers, pulling the Hurricanes to within 95-92 before Cal put the game away at the foul line.

Cleveland led the Hurricanes with 30 points and eight rebounds off the bench. Brandon Johnson added 16 points and eight boards. Paul Djobet scored 12 points and Jalil Bethea had 11 points and six rebounds.

Cal travels to Dallas Wednesday to face Southern Methodist for a 

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal host Hurricanes Saturday night at Maples Pavilion

Stanford Cardinal forward Donavon Young (2) takes a jump shot against the Miami Hurricanes at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Wed Jan 22, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael:

#1 Stanford Cardinal didn’t give an inch defeating the Miami Hurricane 88-51 on Wednesday night to improve their record to 13-6. The Cardinal are 5-3 and Stanford has an outstanding home record at 10-1.

#2 The Cardinal are 10-1 for the first time since 2019-20. Stanford’s Maxime Raynaud has a nation leading 16th double-double for this season. Raynaud scored 28 points, went 10-17 and 4-6 from behind the three point line, with 12 rebounds.

#3 Raynaud past Hank Luisetti who played on the 1938 Cardinal and is 25th on Stanford’s all time scoring list. Raynaud also moves past Josh Huestit class of 1914 for eighth on the all time rebounds list.

#4 Raynaud’s outing marked his 12th 20-point game of the season.

#5 The Florida State Seminoles are next up for the Stanford Cardinal on Sat Jan 25 a 4:00pm PST tip. The Seminoles lost to the Cal Bears at Haas Pavilion on Wednesday night 88-51. The Seminoles 13-6 are sixth in the ACC and are 3-3 on the road.

Join Michael Roberson for the Stanford Cardinal podcast each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cardinal Stave off Hurricanes 88-51, on a Chilly Late Night on the Farm

Stanford Cardinal forward Maxime Raynaud (42) drives the ball against the Miami Hurricanes Lynn Kidd center (1) at Haas Pavilion in Palo Alto on Wed Jan 22, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Bay Area weather was calm and cool , as the Stanford Cardinal (13-6, 5-3 ACC) reduced the Miami Hurricanes (4-15, 0-8 ACC) to a Category 1,(88-51) inside the cozy confines of Maples Pavilion.

Miami actually got the party started, by scoring the first point of the conference contest. Senior forward Brandon Johnson converted one of two free throws, giving them their only lead. Stanford went on an avalanche of a run (7-0), then proceeded to double that push minutes later.

Stanford got the lead up to as high as 23 points in the initial half. However, the Hurricanes did produce some heavy winds, as they slightly cut into the large deficit, trailing by 13 late in the half. Junior guard Oziyah Sellers hit a three with less than a minute until recess.

The Cardinal held a 16-point lead at halftime, 37-21. Balanced scoring for the Cardinal, as only one player eclipsed the ten-point plateau. Sellers reached 10 points on his last basket of the half. Maxime Raynaud added nine points and snagged eight rebounds.

Senior center Lynn Kidd led the Canes with eight points and five rebounds. Miami seemed to feel they were still in the game at the midway point.

Miami opened the second half as if they were going to make a comeback. They made an immediate 5-0 run, putting themselves within 11 points of the Cardinal lead..Senior guard Matthew Cleveland made those points on a three-pointer and layup.

Raynaud decided that he was going to end the Hurricane comeback, and went on a personal run of his own. as he added 19 points to his first half tally and snatched four more rebounds to his total.

As the final half of the game progressed, Stanford ballooned the gap to a whopping 39 points with less than five minutes of regulation time on the clock.Miami did score nine more points in the the second half, than in the first, but unfortunately for them, the home team added 14 to their already 16-point advantage.

After 40 minutes of action, the Cardinal kept their perfect home conference record (3-0) intact, winning by 37 points, 88-51. Technically,they are undefeated in the entire Bay Area, as they won an ACC road game in Berkeley, at the beginning of conference play.

Stanford presented five players with at least ten points in the game. Raynaud led the way with another double-double, offering 28 points, 12 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Both Jaylen Blakes and Chisom Okpara contributed 12 points and two assists each, but JB also stole the ball thrice. The aforementioned Sellers remained at ten points of production, while Ryan Agarwal scored 11 points and captured five carrums.

Miami had two players with double-digit scoring. Matthew Cleveland put up a team-leading 23 points, while Lynn Kidd chipped in ten points and seven rebounds for the South Florida visitors.

Stanford will next be in action Saturday, January 25, hosting Florida State at 4:00 PM PT, on the ACC Network. Miami heads across the Bay to Berkeley on the same date to face California at 5:30 PM PT, on ESPNU.

Golden Bears upend Seminoles 77-68 for ACC victory

Cal Bears forward Joshua Ola-Joseph (1) looks astonished with forward Lee Dort (34) in the background as Cal defeated the Florida State Seminoles at Haas Pavilion on Wed Jan 22, 2025 (Cal Bears X photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

California used the offensive efforts of Jeremiah Wilkinson, Rytis Petraitis and Mady Sissoko to upend Florida State 77-68 in Atlantic Coast Conference men’s basketball Wednesday at Haas Pavilion.

Wilkinson scored 18 points for the Golden Bears (10-9 overall, 3-5 ACC) while Sissoko and Petraitis each registered a double-double. Sissoko had 14 points and 13 rebounds, while Petraitis finished with 12 points and 13 boards. Joshua Ola-Joseph scored 14 points and DJ Campbell chipped in with ten points.

Sissoko’s dunk put Cal up 69-59 with three minutes to play. Then Daquan Davis and Jamie Watkins scored inside to pull the Seminoles (13-6 overall, 4-4 ACC) to within six with 1:20 remaining. Cal maintained its lead by going 8-for-8 at the free throw line.

Earlier in the second half, Jerry Deng’s dunk gave Florida State a 51-49 lead at the 12-minute mark. But the Seminoles went cold, missing 11 consecutive shots while being held to eight points in a nine-minute stretch.

While FSU struggled, the Golden Bears scored 18 points, building a 57-55 lead with 4:30 to play.

Watkins led the Seminoles with 18 points, Malique Ewin contributed 16 points and 10 rebounds, and Deng finished with 11 points.

While FSU visits Stanford on Saturday, Cal hosts Miami (Fla.), also on Saturday.

Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Cal looking to snap three game skid against NC State Saturday

Cal Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) had to run for his life pretty much all afternoon against Pitt Panther tackle Braylan Lovelace (0) and the Panther pass rush at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh on Oct 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 There was no holding down Pitt Panthers last Saturday as they maintained their undefeated record now at 6-0 while Cal drop to 3-3.

#2 Close game but Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza couldn’t get enough points on the board as Cal fell short 17-15.

#3 For Mendoza he threw 27-37 for 272 yards and one touchdown. Did the Panthers have Mendoza running for daylight as he was running out of the pocket and often and ended up getting sacked six times.

#4 Cal’s defense kept the Bears in the game but the offense just couldn’t score enough to get by the Panther in the two point loss.

#5 Cal now focuses on the NC State Wolfpack (3-4)this Saturday with a 12:30pm PT kickoff at Memorial Stadium. The Wolfpack who have lost their last two games the last one against the Syracuse Orange 24-17. Cal comes into this game against NC State snake bitten having losing their last three games all close games against Florida State on Sep 21, to Miami on Sat Oct 5 and to Pitt on Sat Oct 12. Cal will no doubt be driven to get back in the win column after last week’s loss to Pitt with home field advantage.

Join Morris Phillips for the Cal Bears podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com