Canes Survive and Advance: Beck Era Opens with Wild Win

Photo Credits @CanesFootball

Miami Gardens FL – The Carson Beck–led Miami Hurricanes opened their season Sunday night against the Fighting Irish with an exhilarating win, giving fans a much-needed spark of hope after last season’s disappointing fallout. Beck, transferring in from Georgia, looked poised and in control — a clear advantage compared to Notre Dame’s redshirt freshman CJ Carr.

The game started on a sloppy note. Rain in the hours leading up to kickoff, combined with week-one nerves, seemed to rattle both teams. The first quarter was a grind, producing three punts and two fumbles, one of which came on a Hurricanes field goal attempt.

Miami finally broke through early in the second quarter with an 8-play, 70-yard drive capped off by Carson Beck’s first touchdown pass as a Hurricane — a 28-yard strike to true freshmen Malachi Toney.

➡️ Beck’s 1st Touchdown as a Cane

The Hurricanes’ defense then forced a quick three-and-out, followed by one of their own. The Irish then answered back on the following possession. CJ Carr settled into rhythm and led an 11-play, 68-yard march, finishing it with his first career touchdown pass to even the score at 7-7.

➡️ Notre Dame Ties It

Just when momentum felt like it might swing, Miami delivered the highlight of the night. With under six minutes left in the half, Beck guided the Canes on a 10-play, 75-yard drive that drained the clock and ended with a spectacular one-handed touchdown grab from CJ Daniels. The grab put Miami ahead 14-7 at the break.

➡️ CJ Daniels One-Handed Grab

The Hurricanes not only dominated the first half but showed the type of composure and resilience that fans have been waiting for. Beck’s leadership and Miami’s timely playmaking set the tone in a matchup where the Canes proved they could win with poise under pressure.

The second half saw the Canes complete their double dip as Beck led a balanced, 12 play 75-yard drive. Miami willingly moved down the field both in the air and on the ground and got in the endzone with a 5-yard touchdown run by CharMar (Marty) Brown.

21-7

Notre Dame’s response was flat. Their opening second-half drive ended in a quick three-and-out as Hard Rock Stadium roared to life. CJ Carr threw three straight incompletions under heavy pressure, clearly rattled by the moment.

The Canes stalled on their next possession, but the bigger concern came when offensive lineman Markel Bell came up limping while grabbing his left leg on third down. Fortunately, he was able to walk it off and return later.

Notre Dame’s next drive was full of big plays, questionable penalties, helmets flying off and ultimately a 1-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Faison.

21-14 14:55 to go.

After a holding penalty on second down, the Hurricanes went three and out once again, following a sack. Irish ball down seven with 13 to play.

Starting on their own 35 the Irish had a great 8-yard carry by Jeremiyah Love and then the Hurricanes completed a perfect tip drill intercepting CJ Carr (Rueben Bain Jr. INT).

Rueben Bain Jr Interception

The Hurricanes started with the ball on the Notre Dame 28 and played very conservatively, 3 rushes resulting in 8-yards and a 38-yard field goal made by Carter Davis.

24-14 9:42 to go.

Notre Dame had a great start to their next drive, driving all the ball all the way to the Miami 22-yard line. The drive quickly stalled as the Canes forced an intentional grounding, an incompletion, and an eleven-yard screen that led to a Noah Burnette 39-yard field goal.

24-17 5:32 to go.

With a huge opportunity, Miami goes 3 and out (4th in a row), Notre Dame ball with 4:37 to go.

Huge play, CJ Carr to Eli Rairdon for 65 yards. Touchdown CJ Carr, 7-yard run, tie ball game.

Canes Ball, 3:21.

The Canes drove all the way into Irish territory following a pass interference call and had a huge third down and 2 coming out of the two-minute warning, Marty Brown got the yards he needed and set Miami up to finish this game off.

The Irish defense prevailed, after more conservative play calling, forcing a 47-yard field goal that FAU transfer Carter Davis nailed!!!

Carter Davis for the Lead!

27-24 Miami with 1:04 to play.

The Hurricanes new defense gets put to the test one last time and got two game sealing sacks.

Canes Win 27-24.

Stats & Notes

• Carson Beck- 20/30 205 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• Malachi Toney- 6/82 and a touchdown.
• Marty Brown- 71 all-purpose yard and a rushing touchdown.
• 3 sacks, 2 turnovers, and a good-looking new look defense.

• Attendance: Miami set a new program attendance record at Hard Rock Stadium with 66,793.

• Atmosphere: The Rock was electric. The noise and energy gave the Hurricanes a true home-field edge.

• Identity: For the first time in a while, these Canes looked like the Canes of the past –aggressive, resilient, and eager to stamp their place back in the college football world.