Malachi Toney did not waste a snap. Less than three minutes into Miami’s season opener at Stanford Stadium, the sophomore receiver scored and struck the Heisman pose.
Toney hit it again after his second first-quarter touchdown and once more after a third-quarter score.
The celebration fit the night. Toney finished with 12 catches for a school-record 234 yards and three touchdowns as No. 7 Miami routed Stanford, 45-6. The yardage total surpassed Eddie Brown’s 220-yard mark from 1984, and the three scores tied the Hurricanes’ single-game record. 10 receptions and 182 yards came before halftime.
New quarterback Darian Mensah, the Duke transfer, found Toney for 48 yards on Miami’s first play. They connected on touchdowns of 23 and two yards on the opening two drives. A 47-yard strike in the third quarter completed the hat trick before both were pulled.
Mensah went 27-of-30 for 401 yards and five touchdowns, setting Miami debut records.
“It means a lot, knowing how many greats played at this university,” Toney said of the records, via ESPN.
As a freshman, Toney led the FBS with 109 receptions and 1,211 yards while helping Miami reach the College Football Playoff championship game.
One road opener was enough to put the pose, and the conversation around it, back in view.
