Miami Hurricanes recruiting home turf pays off in win vs FSU football

CORAL GABLES — The Miami Hurricanes and Florida State Seminoles have one of the most storied rivalries in all of college football.

While the gap between the two programs has grown in recent years, the 'Noles have always gotten up for their game against the 'Canes. This year was no different.

Dozens of recruits were in attendance for the double-overtime thriller, and they had a front-seat to other homegrown prospects coming up in the biggest moments of the game.

Miami has put an emphasis on keeping elite players home, and those players continue to show that Sunshine State products contribute to winning.

Miami's homegrown prospects lift 'Canes past FSU

Malachi Toney, a Fort Lauderdale native, continues to establish himself as a Heisman Trophy candidate. He does everything for Miami's offense, and was an invaluable release valve for a 'Cane offense struggling to get any push on the offensive line.

Toney finished with 11 catches for a game-high 154 receiving yards and two touchdowns. He also tossed the go-ahead 2-point conversion in double-overtime, and added 31 rushing yards on two carries.

Bryce Fitzgerald, who went to Columbus, had the biggest play of the game. His interception at the end of the game sealed the Miami win, and he provided consistent coverage on his assignments.

Javian Mallory's history with winning football in south Florida dates back to his state championship days at West Boca. With Mark Fletcher (another south Florida native) out, Mallory stepped up when called upon. The true freshman notched a game-high 108 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His first score game in the fourth quarter and evened things up at 21-21. His second touchdown was in the first overtime, keeping Miami alive.

"Honestly, yes I did (envision this kid of game as a high schooler)," Mallory said. "If y'all go back there's an interview that asks me what I'm going to bring to the table in my first year and I said I'm going to be an instant impact as soon as I get here. Of course it took me some time to get here, but I give God all the glory."

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Hurricanes recruiting home turf pays off in win vs FSU football