The wait is finally over, and the stakes could not be higher in South Bend. The No. 1-ranked Miami Hurricanes are rolling into enemy territory led by their star quarterback, Darian Mensah, but they’re doing it without superstar wide receiver Malachi Toney, who’s nursing a high-ankle sprain. This is a massive showdown against the No. 11-ranked Fighting Irish, and Toney’s absence just flipped everything on its head.
Malachi Toney’s Absence: Mensah’s Heisman Moment?
Losing a talent like Malachi Toney is huge. The sophomore phenom has been absolutely lights-out this season, hauling in 73 receptions for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns. He leads the ACC in all three categories, and get this: Toney has accounted for a wild 38.9% of Mensah’s completions, grabbing 73 of his 188 passes. So, the obvious question is, who steps up for Mensah in the passing game? But there’s an even crazier angle here: what if Toney being sidelined actually *helps* Mensah’s Heisman Trophy candidacy?
“You could make the case without Toney, he [Mensah] could actually make the best case for himself winning it,” Brady Quinn said about Mensah’s 2026 Heisman Trophy candidacy on “Big Noon Kickoff.” Quinn even floated the idea that if Toney was healthy, they might be looking at splitting votes down the stretch. Matt Leinart echoed that on “Big Noon Kickoff,” saying, “He is going to have to elevate the players around him. He’s got to make all these guys better.” This isn’t just about winning a game; it’s about Mensah proving he can carry this No. 1 team on his shoulders, no matter who’s on the field. Mensah is currently sitting at +165 odds to take home the Heisman, second only to Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Toney, on the other hand, went from +300 to completely off the board after his injury news dropped. Talk about a twist!
Mensah’s Dominance and the Irish Showdown
Let’s not forget how utterly dominant Darian Mensah has been this season. Heading into Week 10, he’s put up 2,425 passing yards, fired 25 passing touchdowns, and thrown just one interception. His passer rating is a ridiculous 202.7, and he’s completing 80.7% of his passes. He’s not just a pocket passer either, adding 109 yards and two scores on the ground. He’s flat-out leading the ACC in passing yards, passing touchdowns, passer rating, and completion percentage. This kid is special.
Now, with Toney out, this Saturday’s showdown against Notre Dame is more than just another game. It’s Mensah’s chance to prove that Miami’s national championship dreams aren’t riding on a single superstar receiver. There’s a ton of history between the Hurricanes and the Fighting Irish, going all the way back to those legendary matchups in the late 80s and early 90s. More recently, Miami edged out Notre Dame to earn a spot in last season’s College Football Playoff and then beat them again in the 2025 season opener. “What’s at stake today?” Leinart asked. “Heisman movement in November. Miami, are they the best team in the country? His draft stock. All of that is at stake for Mensah.”
This is it. Mensah has to elevate everyone around him, prove Miami is the real deal, and solidify his Heisman case all in one go. You don’t want to miss a second of this one!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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