12/20/25 02:53:00
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12/20 14:52 CST Miami's freshman redeems himself with game-winning touchdown in
10-3 win over Texas A&M
Miami's freshman redeems himself with game-winning touchdown in 10-3 win over
Texas A&M
By KRISTIE RIEKEN
AP Sports Writer
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) --- Malachi Toney's tiebreaking 11-yard touchdown
reception with less than two minutes left lifted No. 10 seed Miami to a 10-3
victory over No. 7 Texas A&M on Saturday in the College Football Playoff.
Mark Fletcher Jr. had a career-high 172 yards rushing to help the Hurricanes
(11-2) advance to the Cotton Bowl to face No. 2 seed Ohio State on Dec. 31.
Toney's big play came a series after what looked a devastating mistake for the
freshman. Toney made a reception, but Dalton Brooks knocked the ball out and
Daymion Sanford recovered it on the Texas A&M 47 with about seven minutes to
go. Teammates surrounded a visibly upset Toney on the bench, encouraging him
and trying to keep him positive.
He and Miami's offense got another chance when Rueben Bain Jr. sacked Marcel
Reed on two of three plays on the ensuing drive to force a punt.
A career-long 56-yard run by Fletcher on the first play of the next drive got
the Hurricanes to the Texas A&M 30 with about three minutes to go. Miami used
four more runs by Fletcher to get into scoring position before Toney took the
short toss from Carson Beck and dashed into the end zone.
The Aggies had a chance to tie it after that but Bryce Fitzgerald intercepted
Reed for the second time --- this time in the end zone --- to end it.
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