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HARD ROCK STADIUM – The No. 6 Miami Hurricanes dominated the Central Michigan Chippewas 52-3 on Saturday night; here are three takeaways:

The Duke Connection is Alive!

Before Saturday’s game, redshirt senior wide receiver Cooper Barkate caught just 10 passes for 69 yards and scored two touchdowns. As offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson emphasized the message earlier this week, “The defense dictates the offense,” opponents have essentially limited the 23-year-old’s opportunities.

However, against Central Michigan, Barkate refused to be silenced. He caught four passes for 47 yards and scored a touchdown. Barkate and quarterback Darian Mensah’s connection goes back to last season with the Blue Devils. Together, the duo won the Atlantic Coast Conference football title.

Barkate’s impactful production came as star wide receiver Malachi Toney, who played on Saturday, suffered an upper-body injury last Friday against Wake Forest.

Tested Depth

The Hurricanes had to rely on others to step up with the recent season-ending injuries to sophomore wide receiver Joshua Moore and redshirt junior running back CharMar “Marty” Brown. Plus, redshirt senior defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr. and senior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. were held from Saturday’s game as a precaution to prevent further injuries.

Redshirt sophomore Chris Wheatley-Humphrey delivered a much-needed performance against Central Michigan. He rushed 11 times for 111 yards and scored his first collegiate career touchdown. Wheatley-Humphrey could see more snaps throughout the season in Brown’s extended absence.

Redshirt junior Vandrevius Jacobs, freshman Somourian Wingo, sophomore Daylyn Upshaw, and freshman Vance Spafford each caught at least two passes.

Junior linebacker Cam Pruitt was second on the Hurricanes with four tackles.

More History

Mensah continues to have stellar performances and break records since joining the Coral Gables program. He completed 23 of 27 passes (85.2 percent) and threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns. Mensah is the first Football Bowl Subdivision passer to have more touchdowns (14) than incompletions (12) through the first four games, according to CBS Sports.

Also, Toney logged his seventh game with at least 100 receiving yards and a touchdown. He’s tied with Michael Irvin, Xavier Restrepo, and Wesley Carroll for the most in program history, according to ESPN.

The star quarterback and wide receiver connection continues to gain chemistry ahead of ACC play.

After starting the season 4-0, the Hurricanes will face immense competition week by week. It will directly impact the path to returning to the College Football Playoffs. The journey starts next Saturday at South Carolina against the Clemson Tigers.

Anthony Aguirre covers the Miami Hurricanes and Miami Heat for Roundtable Sports. Contact info for tips/info: alexagmu@gmail.com & 305-987-3290 | Follow on Instagram/X: @AnthonyA_Sports

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