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Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney waste no time putting on Heisman performances

Mensah and Toney waste no time.
ByPatrick Previty|
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Sep 4, 2026; Stanford, California, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (1) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
Sep 4, 2026; Stanford, California, USA; Miami Hurricanes wide receiver Malachi Toney (1) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Stanford Cardinal during the first quarter at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney jumped out of the gates to begin the 2026 season, which could become a Heisman campaign for both of them.

At the half, Miami is up on Stanford, 28-6. That is a far cry from the 7-7 halftime score from last season.

Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney kick off Heisman race

The first score came for Miami just two minutes and 53 seconds into the game. Mensah hit Toney for 23 yards and a touchdown on a four-play, 77-yard drive (75 passing yards). Stanford answered with a 30-yard field goal from Emmet Kenney, but that wasn't enough to keep the game competitive.

Mensah and Toney went right back to work. A 10-play, 75-yard drive ended with Toney's 2-yard touchdown catch with 2:53 left in the first quarter.

RB CharMar Brown then finished an eight-play, 89-yard march with 7:52 left in the half.

The next scoring drive was a 5-yard throw from Mensah to WR Daylyn Upshaw with 1:55 left in the half.

Miami passing

  • Darian Mensah: 18-of-21, 253 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT

Miami rushing

  • Mark Fletcher Jr.: 10 carries, 26 yards
  • CharMar Brown: 4 carries, 22 yards, 1 TD

Miami receiving

  • Malachi Toney: 10 catches, 182 yards, 2 TD
  • Cooper Barkate: 3 catches, 33 yards
  • Daylyn Upshaw: 2 catches, 16 yards, 1 TD
  • CharMar Brown: 1 catch, 14 yards
  • Joshua Moore: 1 catch, 7 yards
  • Mark Fletcher Jr.: 1 catch, 1 yard

Teammates have finished high in the Heisman voting in the same year before. This is a list of those instances since 2000:

  • 2025 Ohio State: Julian Sayin (4th), Jeremiah Smith (6th), Caleb Downs (9th)
  • 2021 Alabama: Bryce Young (1st), Will Anderson Jr. (5th)
  • 2020 Alabama: DeVonta Smith (1st), Mac Jones (3rd), Najee Harris (5th)
  • 2017 Oklahoma: Baker Mayfield (1st), Dede Westbrook (4th)
  • 2011 Wisconsin: Montee Ball (4th), Russell Wilson (9th)
  • 2010 Stanford: Andrew Luck (2nd), Owen Marecic (10th)
  • 2008 Texas Tech: Graham Harrell (4th), Michael Crabtree (5th)
  • 2005 USC: Reggie Bush (1st), Matt Leinart (3rd)
  • 2004 USC: Matt Leinart (1st), Reggie Bush (5th)
  • 2004 Oklahoma: Adrian Peterson (2nd), Jason White (3rd)
  • 2002 Miami: Willis McGahee (4th), Ken Dorsey (5th)
  • 2001 Miami: Ken Dorsey (3rd), Bryant McKinnie (8th)
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