The No. 7 Miami Hurricanes throttled FCS Florida A&M so badly in Thursday night’s home-opener, both teams agreed to wave the white flag at the start of the fourth quarter.
This is probably why FBS and FCS teams should never be on the same field together again — especially not in today’s world of transfer portal madness and NIL.
The Hurricanes won 77-7. It was never close. It was never even kind of close. This game got out of hand so quickly, the scoreboard had a hard time keeping up.
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Miami Hurricanes defensive back Zechariah Poyser tackles Florida A&M Rattlers wide receiver Corey Petty in the first half at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Sept. 10, 2026. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
Miami went up 14-0 before the game was five minutes old. The Hurricanes scored a touchdown on all seven first half possessions. They scored four more touchdown in the third quarter.
FAMU had two first downs the entire first half. The Rattlers quarterback was hit so hard on the game’s third play, it went viral on social media.
Miami’s Heismen-hopeful QB, Darian Mensah, threw for three touchdowns and one incompletion. One.
The Hurricanes’ backup QB went 8 for 8 with three more touchdowns.
The THIRD stringer threw one incompletion.
As a team, Miami ran for more than 400 yards.
So, yes, the ‘Canes won this game, 77-7. They could’ve scored 100 points if they wanted. Maybe 200.
Both coaches agree to call the dogs off before the fourth quarter:
At what point does this stop being worth it?
Thoughts? First impressions?
Here’s mine: If both teams need to agree, in the third quarter, to shorten the fourth quarter, because the game is so absurdly out of hand … those teams shouldn’t have been on the same field in the first place.
It’s pretty simple.
Mark Fletcher Jr. #4 of the Miami Hurricanes runs with the ball during a game against Florida A&M at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Sept. 10, 2026. (ISI Photos via Getty Images)
I understand why this game was necessary. For FAMU, it was about a check. A literal paycheck. That’s what they went to Miami Gardens for Thursday night.
I don’t know how much Miami paid them, but was it worth the national embarrassment? I guess so, given these low-level FCS teams continue to play these national championship contenders every single year. It helps the athletic department.
Frankly, it probably funds them for the rest of the school year. Again, I get it.
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But at some point, it’s just bad for the game. It’s a bad look. The talent discrepancy is shocking, especially in today’s world.
Some years, FAMU would be able to keep this thing respectable because the ‘Canes would’ve been in a terrible recruiting cycle. I’ve seen it happen.
Isaiah Taylor No. 28 of the Miami Hurricanes tackles Kyjuan Taylor Jr. No. 29 of the Florida A&M Rattlers during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Sept. 10, 2026. (Getty Images)
Years ago, in a previous life, I covered Bethune-Cookman’s trip to Miami. The Wildcats — another HBCU team, just like FAMU — lost, 42-13. It was never close, but it was never out of hand.
But that will never, ever be the case anymore because college athletics is all about NIL and the transfer portal. That’s it. It’s almost impossible for one of these powerhouses to have a down year.
So this game — along with tomorrow’s Campbell Fighting Camels-Florida Gators game in Gainesville — will forever look like this:
My God. What a bloodbath. Again, Miami could’ve hung 100 on them. The ‘Canes tried! Mario Cristobal went for it on 4th and 7 from the FAMU 8 with two minutes to go!
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Somehow, FAMU managed to finally keep Miami out of the end zone. It was one of the only wins the Rattlers had Thursday night, and it came against a bunch of third stringers and walk-ons.
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Brutal.
Miami, by the way, finished this game with 856 total yards of offense. FAMU barely had 100.
Mercy.
