Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Edgerrin James helped Mark Fletcher Jr. forget his first-half fumble. Ohio State recovered a Fletcher Jr. fumble on their own 19-yard line on the second drive of the game for Miami in a scoreless tie.
After forcing an Ohio State punt, Fletcher Jr. was able to redeem himself on the next possession when he scored on a nine-yard touchdown reception on third and one. Miami quarterback Carson Beck perfectly executed a play-action pass and threw to Fletcher Jr. in the left flat to put Miami ahead 7-0.
The TD was critical as it put Miami in front to stay. Less than two minutes later, Keionte Scott returned an interception 72 yards for a TD and Miami had the foundation it needed for the rest of the game. Fletcher Jr. finished with 19 carries for 90 yards and two receptions for 25 and the TD against Ohio State.
For the second consecutive game, Fletcher Jr. led Miami in scrimmage yards with 119 against Ohio State. Fletcher Jr. ran for 173 yards on 17 carries in the 10-3 College Football Playoff first-round win at Texas A&M.
"Having an alumni there is...extremely helpful for all of us.. just having somebody else in our ear. And it's not just any alumni... we have...Hall of Famers who just see something different. They...give us...immediate feedback...last game...I had that fumble early on in the game and Ed James...came up to me. He was like, "Hey, man, you all right?...things happen...Just calm down...let's get back into it...I was able to just calm down, get back into the game and just go play....Having...voices like that around the building here at practice and on the games is very helpful for us."Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr.
Fletcher Jr. moved the chains. Four runs and two receptions by Fletcher Jr. went for first downs against Ohio State. Fletcher Jr. had eight first down runs versus Texas A&M. Fletcher Jr. set Miami up on the game-winning TD drive against Texas A&M and the de facto clinching drive against Ohio State.
On the final drive against Texas A&M, Fletcher Jr. had the first five carries for 75 yards to set up the 11-yard TD reception by Malachi Toney on a shovel pass. Against Ohio State, Fletcher Jr. had the first two carries for 23 yards on the drive to extend the Miami lead to 24-14 and essentially clinch the outcome.
National semifinal press conferences ongoing: UM players talking about real value of Canes legends on the sidelines. After Fletcher fumble against Ohio State, Edgerrin James approached and told him to stay calm and Fletcher said that really helped. So Irvin/Ray Lewis/Edge etc.…
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) January 4, 2026
Fletcher Jr. becoming a Miami leader
Fletcher Jr. had been a leader for Miami over the last two seasons. After suddenly losing his father during the 2024 season, Fletcher Jr. credited the support of his teammates. Fletcher Jr. has given back as a leader for Miami during his junior season in 2025.
The culture Mario Cristobal has built with Miami set the foundation for the program to support Fletcher Jr. in a time of grief. In turn, after being part of a 7-6 team as a freshman, Fletcher Jr. has had a big impact on Miami winning 22 games and losing four in the past two years.
Fletcher Jr. ultimately decided to flip from Ohio State to Miami for the opportunity to play for his hometown program. The decision for Fletcher Jr. to return as a senior in 2026 is another way he is giving back to Miami. An opportunity to win a National Championship at home would cement Fletcher Jr.'s legacy.