Shannon Dawson opens up playbook as Malachi Toney continues to be a triple threat

Shannon Dawson continued to open up the playbook for Miami on Saturday in a 41-7 win over North Carolina State. A week after quarterback Carson Beck had a touchdown reception and right tackle Francis Mauigoa scored, Dawson called flea flickers and more passes from wide receiver Malachi Toney.

Toney had a carry for the fifth consecutive game, multiple rushing attempts for the third game in a row and fourth in the last five contests and attempted a pass for the second consecutive game. After throwing the TD pass to Beck last week, Toney had a 44-yard completion to JoJo Trader in the first half on Saturday.

Trader caught the pass from Toney at the North Carolina State 24-yard line and ran it to the Wolfpack four. Two plays after the Toney to Trader connection, CharMar Brown had a one-yard TD run to put Miami up 17-0. Toney added TD receptions with 33 seconds left in the first half and one in the fourth quarter.

Toney had one carry for three yards, five receptions for 54 yards and two touchdowns and one completion in two attempts for the 44-yard completion to Trader. Toney nearly completed a second pass that Girard Pringle Jr. would have walked in for the TD. The pass attempt by Toney was just a bit far out of the reach of Pringle Jr.

Toney has now completed two passes in three attempts for 58 yards and a TD in 2025 with 11 carries for 43 yards and a TD and 59 receptions for 698 yards and five TDs. With two weeks remaining in the season, Toney should be the ACC Rookie of the Year and have a chance to be the National Freshman of the Year.

Toney has had the majority of the attention from Miami opponents with C.J. Daniels out with an injury in the past three games. Dawson utilizing Toney as a passer, receiver and a runner makes it more difficult for opponents to defend Miami.