Can Miami Overcome The Loss Of Star Wide Receiver Malachi Toney?
Miami’s Heisman frontrunner Malachi Toney is set for surgery and is expected to miss several weeks.
Miami football is now experiencing what several NFL teams have been going through over the past several weeks.
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It is being reported that star wide receiver and Heisman Trophy contender Malachi Toney will undergo surgery. This comes just days before the Hurricanes are to collide with Notre Dame in a pivotal contest.
Related: Miami Football Has Some Holes. Will That Cost Them?
Toney is expected to miss the game with the Fighting Irish and multiple games after that. Miami is not putting him out for the season, as the typical timeframe for a return is four to six weeks.
If Toney is able to undergo a successful surgery on his injured ankle, and rehab quickly, he could return just in time for the College Football Playoff.
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The 5-foot-11 Toney has had another breakout season for Miami. He ranks among the leaders in the NCAA with 73 receptions for 1,027 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Toney has recorded six games with 100-plus all-purpose yards.
The College Football Playoff committee debuted the Hurricanes at No. 1 in the first poll released earlier this week. Some 24 hours later, it was reported that Toney was injured during a drill in practice.
Reports say it is a high ankle sprain for the speedster.
More Pressure Falls On Darian Mensah, Mark Fletcher
While the loss of Toney is not quite on the same level as what Ohio State is dealing with, it is still going to hurt.
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The Buckeyes were unable to overcome the loss of quarterback Julian Sayin, falling to USC this past weekend. They are currently on the outside looking in at the College Football Playoff.
Miami will need quarterback Darian Mensah to operate without his top target. Mensah, a Duke transfer and Heisman contender, has over 2,400 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. He has thrown just one interception on 233 attempts.
Last year in their run to the championship game, the Hurricanes relied heavily on Mark Fletcher. The running back is currently sharing lead back duties with Javian Mallory.
Fletcher’s past experience, though, will be important down the stretch. Mensah is also capable of running with the ball.
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As for who he throws that ball to, look for Cooper Barkate, Daylyn Upshaw and Elija Lofton to get more passes. Barkate has 28 receptions for almost 400 yards.
Another pair of names to remember are Somourian Wingo and Vandrevius Jacobs. Wingo is averaging almost 18 yards per catch and Jacobs almost 17. They could become deep threats like Toney.
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