Deadspin | Rory McIlroy tied for lead to begin Masters defense Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy began the defense of his first Masters title with a 5-under-par 67 that gave him a share of the afternoon lead with Sam Burns at Augusta National on Thursday. It is only the third time in 18 Masters starts that McIlroy has broken 70 in the first round, and the second-lowest opening-round score he has posted, only trailing a 65 in 2011. “Great, great start to the week, obviously. Felt like I got a lot out of my round today,” he said. “I settled into the round nicely even when I wasn’t hitting fairways.” Thursday’s effort tied the 5 under posted by Burns earlier in the afternoon. Both players took significant advantage of the par-5s. Burns eagled the second hole and birdied the three others, while McIlroy birdied all four of them. “I think historically people who have success here play the par-5s really well, and we were able to do that today. So, it’s a good recipe around this golf course,” Burns said. Like Burns, McIlroy made his turn in 2 under before carding a 3-under 33 on the back nine courtesy of three consecutive birdies from Nos. 13-15. McIlroy acknowledged earlier this week that last year’s victory took a “big weight” off his shoulders. And now he’s in an excellent position as he attempts to become only the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters. McIlroy shot an opening-round 72 in 2025 that left him in a tie for 27th, and his average opening score in 17 previous Masters was 71.7. Through what he called a shaky first seven holes, a low round didn’t appear to be in the cards. Then a birdie at No. 8 led to playing his final 11 holes in 5 under. McIlroy said that in previous years he might not have been patient enough to overcome a shaky start, but last year’s victory gave him the ability to keep swinging freely rather than tentatively. “I was nervous, I was anxious just like I always am on that first tee,” he said. “It’s the first round of the 16 most important rounds of the season. It would be worrisome if I didn’t feel that way, because it still means something to me.” Earlier, Burns posted the best score of his Masters career in any round, besting the 68 he shot in the first round in 2023. In 12 rounds through four previous appearances at Augusta National, that had been the lone time Burns had broken 70 until Thursday. But he doesn’t plan on spending much time dwelling on the overnight leaderboard. “I feel like you start thinking, you know, in the past or in the future, this is not really a golf course you want to do that,” he said. “I think for me just trying to go out, execute, have a good process, commit to the shot and just be accepting of whatever happens.” Patrick Reed also reached 5 under by eagling both par-5s on the front nine to make his turn at 31, but the 2018 Masters champion gave a shot back at No. 10 before putting a ball in the water on the par-5 15th for another bogey to enter the clubhouse at 3 under. “All in all, there was a lot of quality golf shots,” Reid said. “I felt like I played a lot better kind of than the score today. I hit the ball pretty solid, gave myself a lot of good looks and made a couple of putts.” Kurt Kitayama finished an eventful day at 3-under 69. He reached 4 under through 10 holes before a bogey on No. 11 and a double bogey on the short par-3 12th. He was able to card birdies on two of his final holes to get to the clubhouse among the early leaders. Bryson DeChambeau, who is seeking to build on his best Masters finish of fifth place last year, was at even par entering the 11th through 13 holes, known as “Amen Corner.” He put his approach shot on No. 11 into the bunker behind the green. DeChambeau then failed to get out of the bunker on his first two attempts and ended up carding a triple bogey on the hole. “Bunker was softer than I anticipated,” DeChambeau offered when asked about what happened on 11, adding that he hit a solid approach shot that flew 12 yards further than he wanted. DeChambeau finished the day at 4 over following a bogey-birdie-bogey finish. NOTES: The 91-player field includes 22 first-time players — six amateurs and 16 professionals. Each amateur is paired with a Masters champion for the first two rounds of the tournament. –Derek Harper, Field Level Media #Deadspin #Rory #McIlroy #tied #lead #Masters #defense

Deadspin | Rory McIlroy tied for lead to begin Masters defense
Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy began the defense of his first Masters title with a 5-under-par 67 that gave him a share of the afternoon lead with Sam Burns at Augusta National on Thursday.

It is only the third time in 18 Masters starts that McIlroy has broken 70 in the first round, and the second-lowest opening-round score he has posted, only trailing a 65 in 2011.

“Great, great start to the week, obviously. Felt like I got a lot out of my round today,” he said. “I settled into the round nicely even when I wasn’t hitting fairways.”

Thursday’s effort tied the 5 under posted by Burns earlier in the afternoon. Both players took significant advantage of the par-5s. Burns eagled the second hole and birdied the three others, while McIlroy birdied all four of them.

“I think historically people who have success here play the par-5s really well, and we were able to do that today. So, it’s a good recipe around this golf course,” Burns said.

Like Burns, McIlroy made his turn in 2 under before carding a 3-under 33 on the back nine courtesy of three consecutive birdies from Nos. 13-15.

McIlroy acknowledged earlier this week that last year’s victory took a “big weight” off his shoulders. And now he’s in an excellent position as he attempts to become only the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters.

McIlroy shot an opening-round 72 in 2025 that left him in a tie for 27th, and his average opening score in 17 previous Masters was 71.7. Through what he called a shaky first seven holes, a low round didn’t appear to be in the cards. Then a birdie at No. 8 led to playing his final 11 holes in 5 under.

McIlroy said that in previous years he might not have been patient enough to overcome a shaky start, but last year’s victory gave him the ability to keep swinging freely rather than tentatively.

“I was nervous, I was anxious just like I always am on that first tee,” he said. “It’s the first round of the 16 most important rounds of the season. It would be worrisome if I didn’t feel that way, because it still means something to me.”

Earlier, Burns posted the best score of his Masters career in any round, besting the 68 he shot in the first round in 2023. In 12 rounds through four previous appearances at Augusta National, that had been the lone time Burns had broken 70 until Thursday.

But he doesn’t plan on spending much time dwelling on the overnight leaderboard.

“I feel like you start thinking, you know, in the past or in the future, this is not really a golf course you want to do that,” he said. “I think for me just trying to go out, execute, have a good process, commit to the shot and just be accepting of whatever happens.”

Patrick Reed also reached 5 under by eagling both par-5s on the front nine to make his turn at 31, but the 2018 Masters champion gave a shot back at No. 10 before putting a ball in the water on the par-5 15th for another bogey to enter the clubhouse at 3 under.

“All in all, there was a lot of quality golf shots,” Reid said. “I felt like I played a lot better kind of than the score today. I hit the ball pretty solid, gave myself a lot of good looks and made a couple of putts.”

Kurt Kitayama finished an eventful day at 3-under 69. He reached 4 under through 10 holes before a bogey on No. 11 and a double bogey on the short par-3 12th. He was able to card birdies on two of his final holes to get to the clubhouse among the early leaders.

Bryson DeChambeau, who is seeking to build on his best Masters finish of fifth place last year, was at even par entering the 11th through 13 holes, known as “Amen Corner.” He put his approach shot on No. 11 into the bunker behind the green. DeChambeau then failed to get out of the bunker on his first two attempts and ended up carding a triple bogey on the hole.

“Bunker was softer than I anticipated,” DeChambeau offered when asked about what happened on 11, adding that he hit a solid approach shot that flew 12 yards further than he wanted.

DeChambeau finished the day at 4 over following a bogey-birdie-bogey finish.

NOTES: The 91-player field includes 22 first-time players — six amateurs and 16 professionals. Each amateur is paired with a Masters champion for the first two rounds of the tournament.

–Derek Harper, Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Rory #McIlroy #tied #lead #Masters #defense

Sports news April 10, 2026

Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Rory McIlroy acknowledges the crowd on the 18th green during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory McIlroy began the defense of his first Masters title with a 5-under-par 67 that gave him a share of the afternoon lead with Sam Burns at Augusta National on Thursday.

It is only the third time in 18 Masters starts that McIlroy has broken 70 in the first round, and the second-lowest opening-round score he has posted, only trailing a 65 in 2011.

“Great, great start to the week, obviously. Felt like I got a lot out of my round today,” he said. “I settled into the round nicely even when I wasn’t hitting fairways.”

Thursday’s effort tied the 5 under posted by Burns earlier in the afternoon. Both players took significant advantage of the par-5s. Burns eagled the second hole and birdied the three others, while McIlroy birdied all four of them.

“I think historically people who have success here play the par-5s really well, and we were able to do that today. So, it’s a good recipe around this golf course,” Burns said.

Like Burns, McIlroy made his turn in 2 under before carding a 3-under 33 on the back nine courtesy of three consecutive birdies from Nos. 13-15.

McIlroy acknowledged earlier this week that last year’s victory took a “big weight” off his shoulders. And now he’s in an excellent position as he attempts to become only the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters.

McIlroy shot an opening-round 72 in 2025 that left him in a tie for 27th, and his average opening score in 17 previous Masters was 71.7. Through what he called a shaky first seven holes, a low round didn’t appear to be in the cards. Then a birdie at No. 8 led to playing his final 11 holes in 5 under.

McIlroy said that in previous years he might not have been patient enough to overcome a shaky start, but last year’s victory gave him the ability to keep swinging freely rather than tentatively.

“I was nervous, I was anxious just like I always am on that first tee,” he said. “It’s the first round of the 16 most important rounds of the season. It would be worrisome if I didn’t feel that way, because it still means something to me.”

Earlier, Burns posted the best score of his Masters career in any round, besting the 68 he shot in the first round in 2023. In 12 rounds through four previous appearances at Augusta National, that had been the lone time Burns had broken 70 until Thursday.

But he doesn’t plan on spending much time dwelling on the overnight leaderboard.

“I feel like you start thinking, you know, in the past or in the future, this is not really a golf course you want to do that,” he said. “I think for me just trying to go out, execute, have a good process, commit to the shot and just be accepting of whatever happens.”

Patrick Reed also reached 5 under by eagling both par-5s on the front nine to make his turn at 31, but the 2018 Masters champion gave a shot back at No. 10 before putting a ball in the water on the par-5 15th for another bogey to enter the clubhouse at 3 under.

“All in all, there was a lot of quality golf shots,” Reid said. “I felt like I played a lot better kind of than the score today. I hit the ball pretty solid, gave myself a lot of good looks and made a couple of putts.”

Kurt Kitayama finished an eventful day at 3-under 69. He reached 4 under through 10 holes before a bogey on No. 11 and a double bogey on the short par-3 12th. He was able to card birdies on two of his final holes to get to the clubhouse among the early leaders.

Bryson DeChambeau, who is seeking to build on his best Masters finish of fifth place last year, was at even par entering the 11th through 13 holes, known as “Amen Corner.” He put his approach shot on No. 11 into the bunker behind the green. DeChambeau then failed to get out of the bunker on his first two attempts and ended up carding a triple bogey on the hole.

“Bunker was softer than I anticipated,” DeChambeau offered when asked about what happened on 11, adding that he hit a solid approach shot that flew 12 yards further than he wanted.

DeChambeau finished the day at 4 over following a bogey-birdie-bogey finish.

NOTES: The 91-player field includes 22 first-time players — six amateurs and 16 professionals. Each amateur is paired with a Masters champion for the first two rounds of the tournament.

–Derek Harper, Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Rory #McIlroy #tied #lead #Masters #defense

Deadspin | Bryson DeChambeau humbled by misadventures, opening 76 at Masters <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28691806.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28691806.jpg" alt="PGA: Masters Tournament - First Round" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 9, 2026; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Bryson DeChambeau reacts to his tee shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Grace Smith-Imagn Images  </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>AUGUSTA, Ga. — Bryson DeChambeau knows the feeling of something between proud accomplishment and elation, walking off the 18th green after the first round with the lead at the Masters. And he got reacquainted with the opposite emotion on Thursday. </p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>DeChambeau blasted a patron with his tee shot on No. 6 and the generous bounce was a benefit with the ball fading hard left. The patron, later greeted by DeChambeau and gifted the golf ball to pair with the parting bruise, was struck and the ball rolled closer to the green. </p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>He whacked and hacked his way out of a sand trap for a triple-bogey 7 at No. 11 and spent time staring at the green on 18, leaning heavily on his upside-down putter and closing out his round of 4-over-par 76 with a a three-putt finish. He birdied Nos. 3 and 17, and made bogey at Nos. 2, 16 and 18.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>“Bunker was softer than I anticipated,” DeChambeau said exiting the course of his beach challenge at 11.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Entering the first round Thursday, DeChambeau had eight consecutive rounds within the top 10 at the Masters. He was closer to the bottom 10 on this day.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Iron play was a letdown. DeChambeau overshot the green multiple times. He hit 44% of greens in regulation and was tied for 63rd when he signed his scorecard at 3:30 ET on Thursday afternoon. Of course, he transitioned straight to the driving range where the celebrated grinder appeared certain to test the curfew on the grounds Thursday night. </p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>“Just going to give what the golf course gives me. I have to try to hit my irons better,” DeChambeau said. “I drove it left numerous occasions. Did a great job on 18. Wind didn’t hurt it like we thought, and that’s this game. That’s the golf course.”</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>A turnaround isn’t remotely out of the question. DeChambeau held the 18-hole lead with a 65 in the first round in 2024. That followed first-round scores of 76 in 2021 and 2022 and 74 in 2023.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>No player who has carded a triple-bogey during the tournament has wound up wearing the green jacket on Sunday.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>“Why am I hooking … everything!?” DeChambeau shouted rhetorically after floating his second on 18 out of the sand and well short of his greenside target. </p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>His third, a chip from off the green, landed well left of the hole and side spin took it 30 feet from the hole. A three-putt mercifully ended his round.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>In his 2024 opening round, the streaky DeChambeau had five birdies in the final seven holes. He doesn’t feel like he’s out of anything yet. </p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>“You know, everybody has an ability for weird things to happen, and today I just did not have my irons under control, which is weird,” DeChambeau said. “It’s been good coming into it.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-14"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Bryson #DeChambeau #humbled #misadventures #opening #Masters

Deadspin | Tigers CF Parker Meadows carted off after collision <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28677009.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28677009.jpg" alt="MLB: Detroit Tigers at Arizona Diamondbacks" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 1, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images  </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Detroit Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows was carted off the field after a scary collision in the bottom of the eighth inning of a game against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday afternoon.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Meadows was playing center field and Riley Greene was playing left field when Twins hitter Josh Bell hit a slicing fly ball toward the left-center field gap. Both outfielders converged on the ball, and Greene made the catch but his head clipped the side of Meadows’ face as the players collided.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Meadows fell to the outfield grass and remained still for a few moments as teammates and trainers came to check on him. He rolled onto his back as trainers attended to him.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-4"> <p>Eventually, Meadows was able to sit up and gingerly get to his feet. He walked slowly a few steps to a cart that trainers had requested to take him off the field.</p> </section> <section id="section-5"> <p>Javier Baez moved from shortstop to center field to replace Meadows. Kevin McGonigle entered the game to play shortstop.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Meadows went 0-for-3 in Thursday’s 3-1 loss and is hitting .250 with two RBIs and three stolen bases in 12 games. The 26-year-old is in his fourth season with the Tigers.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Tigers #Parker #Meadows #carted #collision

Miami football isn’t back yet, but it’s close

Plenty of discussion last winter was reserved for dissecting if the Miami Hurricanes were, in fact, back. For as the much of The U being back has been a topic, predating the 2025 Hurricanes’ run to the National Championship Game, what being back actually means can have vastly different definitions.

Surely, had Miami knocked off an unbeaten Indiana — and the Hurricanes came a Jamari Sharpe interception away from doing just that — it would have constituted The U being back. Right?

Well…

Miami’s run to the finale of last season’s College Football Playoff was remarkable; so, too, was it taking Indiana to the wire in a 27-21 classic, with the Hurricanes playing the Hoosiers closer than most of the national champions’ competition in the 2025 campaign.

That run was also unprecedented in the history of college football. Of course, there have been only two instances in which a team like Miami, which went 10-2 in the regular season and missed its own conference championship game, could win a national championship in such fashion.

The 2025 Hurricanes capitalized on the opportunities afforded them by a much different landscape than that which existed during the program’s roughly 20-year heyday, and that’s commendable. But it’s not comparable to that heyday, unofficially spanning from 1983 when the late legend Howard Schnellenberger coached The U to its first championship and ending on Ohio State’s improbable win in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.

Incredibly, as we head into the silver anniversary of Miami’s last national championship, it’s been almost as long since a Hurricanes team won a conference title. That came in 2003, the program’s final season in the Big East, when The U shared the crown with West Virginia (albeit having survived a 22-20 struggle with the Mountaineers in the head-to-head matchup).

For context, Miami’s conference championship drought is going on five years longer than the span between its first national championship and last.

As a program-first ACC title continued to elude Miami, with losses to Louisville and SMU instead landing Virginia and Duke in Charlotte, the Hurricanes’ 2025 postseason run isn’t in the same category as the 2001 title won in dominant fashion by arguably the most talented collegiate roster ever assembled.

It’s not the 1987 or 1991 crowns when Miami ran the table, nor is it 1983 and 1989 when the Hurricanes rallied from regular-season losses to in-state rivals to finish on top. But 2025 could be the foundation on which Miami is back.

Although none of the 2026 Hurricanes when Miami was Miami, the mystique never faded. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr., Offensive MVP of last year’s Cotton Bowl, offered commentary on Adam Breneman’s “Next Up” podcast to this end:

“’Ive seen how great Miami was, seen the great players that they’ve had, and I could help Miami at least a little closer to that, and I’ve got one more year to do it,” Fletcher said. “I would love to do that.”

Fletcher and wide receiver Malachi Toney, both products of South Florida (Fort Lauderdale and Miami’s Liberty City), provide the 2026 Hurricanes with one of the nation’s most potent skill-position combos. And while Miami has no ACC championship experience, its quarterback does.

Adding ACC Championship Game MVP and the conference’s passing yards leader a season ago, Darian Mensah, sets up the Hurricane offense nicely. A key transfer likewise provides the pillar for Miami’s 2026 title outlook on defense, with Damon Wilson II coming to Coral Gables off of a nine-sack season at Missouri.

There’s plenty to like about Miami’s chances of returning to past glory in 2026 — and doing so in a fashion that unambiguously declares the Hurricanes as being back by any definition.

#Miami #Football #Poised #Return #College #Footballs #Elite #Deadspin.com">

Why Miami Football Is Poised to Return to College Football’s Elite | Deadspin.com Miami football isn’t back yet, but it’s closePlenty of discussion last winter was reserved for dissecting if the Miami Hurricanes were, in fact, back. For as the much of The U being back has been a topic, predating the 2025 Hurricanes’ run to the National Championship Game, what being back actually means can have vastly different definitions.Surely, had Miami knocked off an unbeaten Indiana — and the Hurricanes came a Jamari Sharpe interception away from doing just that — it would have constituted The U being back. Right?Well…Miami’s run to the finale of last season’s College Football Playoff was remarkable; so, too, was it taking Indiana to the wire in a 27-21 classic, with the Hurricanes playing the Hoosiers closer than most of the national champions’ competition in the 2025 campaign.That run was also unprecedented in the history of college football. Of course, there have been only two instances in which a team like Miami, which went 10-2 in the regular season and missed its own conference championship game, could win a national championship in such fashion.The 2025 Hurricanes capitalized on the opportunities afforded them by a much different landscape than that which existed during the program’s roughly 20-year heyday, and that’s commendable. But it’s not comparable to that heyday, unofficially spanning from 1983 when the late legend Howard Schnellenberger coached The U to its first championship and ending on Ohio State’s improbable win in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.Incredibly, as we head into the silver anniversary of Miami’s last national championship, it’s been almost as long since a Hurricanes team won a conference title. That came in 2003, the program’s final season in the Big East, when The U shared the crown with West Virginia (albeit having survived a 22-20 struggle with the Mountaineers in the head-to-head matchup).For context, Miami’s conference championship drought is going on five years longer than the span between its first national championship and last.As a program-first ACC title continued to elude Miami, with losses to Louisville and SMU instead landing Virginia and Duke in Charlotte, the Hurricanes’ 2025 postseason run isn’t in the same category as the 2001 title won in dominant fashion by arguably the most talented collegiate roster ever assembled.It’s not the 1987 or 1991 crowns when Miami ran the table, nor is it 1983 and 1989 when the Hurricanes rallied from regular-season losses to in-state rivals to finish on top. But 2025 could be the foundation on which Miami is back.Although none of the 2026 Hurricanes when Miami was Miami, the mystique never faded. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr., Offensive MVP of last year’s Cotton Bowl, offered commentary on Adam Breneman’s “Next Up” podcast to this end:“’Ive seen how great Miami was, seen the great players that they’ve had, and I could help Miami at least a little closer to that, and I’ve got one more year to do it,” Fletcher said. “I would love to do that.”Fletcher and wide receiver Malachi Toney, both products of South Florida (Fort Lauderdale and Miami’s Liberty City), provide the 2026 Hurricanes with one of the nation’s most potent skill-position combos. And while Miami has no ACC championship experience, its quarterback does.Adding ACC Championship Game MVP and the conference’s passing yards leader a season ago, Darian Mensah, sets up the Hurricane offense nicely. A key transfer likewise provides the pillar for Miami’s 2026 title outlook on defense, with Damon Wilson II coming to Coral Gables off of a nine-sack season at Missouri.There’s plenty to like about Miami’s chances of returning to past glory in 2026 — and doing so in a fashion that unambiguously declares the Hurricanes as being back by any definition. #Miami #Football #Poised #Return #College #Footballs #Elite #Deadspin.com

mwasimuddin125 0

Miami football isn’t back yet, but it’s close
Plenty of discussion last winter was reserved for dissecting if the Miami Hurricanes were, in fact, back. For as the much of The U being back has been a topic, predating the 2025 Hurricanes’ run to the National Championship Game, what being back actually means can have vastly different definitions.
Surely, had Miami knocked off an unbeaten Indiana — and the Hurricanes came a Jamari Sharpe interception away from doing just that — it would have constituted The U being back. Right?
Well…
Miami’s run to the finale of last season’s College Football Playoff was remarkable; so, too, was it taking Indiana to the wire in a 27-21 classic, with the Hurricanes playing the Hoosiers closer than most of the national champions’ competition in the 2025 campaign.
That run was also unprecedented in the history of college football. Of course, there have been only two instances in which a team like Miami, which went 10-2 in the regular season and missed its own conference championship game, could win a national championship in such fashion.
The 2025 Hurricanes capitalized on the opportunities afforded them by a much different landscape than that which existed during the program’s roughly 20-year heyday, and that’s commendable. But it’s not comparable to that heyday, unofficially spanning from 1983 when the late legend Howard Schnellenberger coached The U to its first championship and ending on Ohio State’s improbable win in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.
Incredibly, as we head into the silver anniversary of Miami’s last national championship, it’s been almost as long since a Hurricanes team won a conference title. That came in 2003, the program’s final season in the Big East, when The U shared the crown with West Virginia (albeit having survived a 22-20 struggle with the Mountaineers in the head-to-head matchup).
For context, Miami’s conference championship drought is going on five years longer than the span between its first national championship and last.
As a program-first ACC title continued to elude Miami, with losses to Louisville and SMU instead landing Virginia and Duke in Charlotte, the Hurricanes’ 2025 postseason run isn’t in the same category as the 2001 title won in dominant fashion by arguably the most talented collegiate roster ever assembled.
It’s not the 1987 or 1991 crowns when Miami ran the table, nor is it 1983 and 1989 when the Hurricanes rallied from regular-season losses to in-state rivals to finish on top. But 2025 could be the foundation on which Miami is back.
Although none of the 2026 Hurricanes when Miami was Miami, the mystique never faded. Running back Mark Fletcher Jr., Offensive MVP of last year’s Cotton Bowl, offered commentary on Adam Breneman’s “Next Up” podcast to this end:
“’Ive seen how great Miami was, seen the great players that they’ve had, and I could help Miami at least a little closer to that, and I’ve got one more year to do it,” Fletcher said. “I would love to do that.”
Fletcher and wide receiver Malachi Toney, both products of South Florida (Fort Lauderdale and Miami’s Liberty City), provide the 2026 Hurricanes with one of the nation’s most potent skill-position combos. And while Miami has no ACC championship experience, its quarterback does.
Adding ACC Championship Game MVP and the conference’s passing yards leader a season ago, Darian Mensah, sets up the Hurricane offense nicely. A key transfer likewise provides the pillar for Miami’s 2026 title outlook on defense, with Damon Wilson II coming to Coral Gables off of a nine-sack season at Missouri.
There’s plenty to like about Miami’s chances of returning to past glory in 2026 — and doing so in a fashion that unambiguously declares the Hurricanes as being back by any definition.

#Miami #Football #Poised #Return #College #Footballs #Elite #Deadspin.com">Why Miami Football Is Poised to Return to College Football’s Elite | Deadspin.com

Miami football isn’t back yet, but it’s close

Surely, had Miami knocked off an unbeaten Indiana — and the Hurricanes came a Jamari Sharpe interception away from doing just that — it would have constituted The U being back. Right?

Well…

For context, Miami’s conference championship drought is going on five years longer than the span between its first national championship and last.

There’s plenty to like about Miami’s chances of returning to past glory in 2026 — and doing so in a fashion that unambiguously declares the Hurricanes as being back by any definition.

#Miami #Football #Poised #Return #College #Footballs #Elite #Deadspin.com