The “Toney Package” is Bad Medicine

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The offense was getting stale, the ‘Canes were losing winnable games and Miami Hurricanes OC ShannonDawson got in HC MarioCristobal’s face and yelled, “Oh, oh, oh, shake it up/just like bad medicine” and the offense came alive under Dr. WR MalachiToney.

Oh and just in case you have no idea what this whole thing is referencing:

“I got lots of money / but it isn’t what I need”

Of course, Mario couldn’t make the change from boring Caveman Offense to the ToneyCat(woof, I’ll try harder) until the ‘Canes had lost two games as double-digit favorites and eliminated themselves from the ACC Championship Game and possibly the College Football Playoff… but I digress.

First you need/ Then you bleed / And then you’re on your knees

Toney did not carry the rock until the Louisville game where he scored a touchdown on the ground. Toney also hadn’t thrown a pass until the Louisville game where he completed a 2-point conversion attempt. The fact that the coaches hadn’t worked in a WildCane (better?) package prior is coaching malpractice.

I got a dirty down addiction that doesn’t leave a track

Mario was addicted to boring offense in the 4th quarter of Notre Dame and the 4th quarter of the FSU game. He also played Cristobawl against UF after getting an early lead.

For Toney, after a dominating performance through the air against Notre Dame, where he averaged 13.7 yards per catch with a touchdown in his college debut, the WR had three average games until the FSU showdown.

Against the ‘Noles Toney went off again with two TD catches on 15.3 yards per catch. Toney then had the nice performance in a loss against UofL where he also caught nine balls for 135 yards on 15 yards per catch in addition to the TD run and 2-point pass.

Gonna take more than a shot to get this poison out of me

A bit of a slump hit once again where Toney struggled to get going against Stanford and SMU as a traditional slot receiver. Toney had amazing games as a punt returner against the Cardinal (36.5 y/PR) and Mustangs (47.0 y/PR)- but not really as a WR.

But while Dawson and Mario just couldn’t shake their addiction to Marty Brown or Jordan Lyle and a cloud of dust- Mr. Toney was ready to go off.

So let’s play doctor, baby, cure my disease

This is where more of the Gadjit Package came to life for the freshman from South Florida. After SMU, Toney had a weird game against Syracuse but he did throw a touchdown to QB CarsonBeck in a more ‘all purpose’ role.

Toney’s TD pass vs. ‘Cuse brought some notice back to his game at WR. Eyes started following him as a runner and passer opening up two receiving TD’s against NCSU.

I need a respirator ’cause I’m running out of breath

Toney had one TD catch against Virginia Tech along with a 15-yard pass. He also hauled in 146 receiving yards against the Hokies.

You got the potion that can cure my disease

In the must-win regular season finale against Pitt Toney caught and threw a TD pass with 126 yards receiving in a lopsided win over The Panthers.

The Wrap

Toney has had a damn good season, maybe the best freshman offensive season ever in the orange and green. With at least one game to go he has 84 catches for 970 yards (freshman record) and seven TD’s (tied for freshman record with StacyColey). That puts him one reception behind tying XavierRestrepo’s single-season record for any class not just freshmen!

Toney also scored once on the ground and twice as a passer while averaging 14.4 yards per punt return and even one tackle. Whether Miami makes the CFB Playoff or not expect Toney to have a big role in whatever bowl game the ‘Canes would be invited to.

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