The No. 7 Miami Hurricanes decisively defeated Florida A&M (FAMU) with a final score of 77-7 in a home-opening game that highlighted a significant talent gap between FBS and FCS programs.
Due to the extreme nature of the blowout, both coaching staffs agreed to shorten the game by waiving the fourth quarter. Miami established dominance early, leading 14-0 within the first five minutes. The Hurricanes scored touchdowns on all seven of their first-half possessions and added four more in the third quarter. By halftime, Miami had amassed a commanding lead, with FAMU managing only two first downs.
Miami's offense showcased remarkable efficiency. Quarterback Darian Mensah, a Heisman Trophy hopeful, completed 12 of 13 passes for three touchdowns and had only one incompletion. The team's backup quarterback also performed strongly, going 8 for 8 with three touchdowns, while the third-string quarterback threw only one incompletion. As a team, Miami recorded over 400 rushing yards and a total of 856 offensive yards, compared to FAMU's approximately 100 total yards.
The financial aspect of such matchups was acknowledged, with the game serving as a significant payday for FAMU. However, the author noted that the increasing talent discrepancies, exacerbated by the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, make these games increasingly one-sided and potentially detrimental to the sport's competitive balance.
Historically, talent disparities between programs could fluctuate yearly, but the current landscape of college athletics, driven by NIL and the transfer portal, often prevents powerhouse teams from having significantly down years. This trend leads to more games like the Miami-FAMU contest, where the talent gap is stark and the outcome is rarely in doubt. The Hurricanes' decision to go for it on fourth down late in the game, even with reserves playing, further underscored their dominance.