Central Michigan at No. 6 Miami: Game Central Rundown, Live Updates, Analysis
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The trip to Winston-Salem saw the Miami Hurricanes pull out a win over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, but, as we here at Miami Hurricanes on SI expected, Miami had to sweat for it. That shouldn't be the case this week.
Why? Because the Hurricanes play host to the Central Michigan Chippewas (2-1, 0-0) for a night game under the lights at Hard Rock Stadium. So far, the Chippewas have faced New Mexico, Colgate, and Wyoming in that order, dropping their season opener to the Lobos. Suffices to say, then, that the competition gets ticked up a notch on Saturday night.
And it's a good thing, too. The injury bug hasn't just bitten the Hurricanes' locker room during these early weeks of the season. It's infested it. A week at home and a cupcake opponent are exactly what the Hurricanes need at this juncture of the season before ACC play begin in earnest.
Should Miami win easily? Absolutely. Will they? Probably. But that doesn't mean the Chippewas don't have players and coaches worth watching.
This is Game Central for Week 4 of the 2026 Miami Hurricanes football season.
Note: This story will be frequently updated throughout the day and game.
Central Michigan at No. 6 Miami Scoring Updates, Breakdown
The Hurricanes enter the matchup with one of college football's most productive offenses. This section will be updated throughout Friday's game.
First Quarter
The first quarter opened with sloppy play, and Central Michigan struck first with a field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 5:56 left in the first quarter.
However, Miami immediately responded with its first touchdown of the day, despite a penalty-plagued drive. Gerard Pringle showed some burst on the series, and Miami looked like itself in the run game, leading 7-3 with a minute to go in the first.
Second Quarter
Darian Mensah is dialed in for his return to Hard Rock Stadium. Additionally, Daylyn Upshaw is making his case as the player who steps up for Miami with some of the receiver room banged up. A touchdown toss from 11 yards out has Miami rolling, up 14-3 after the PAT.
Mensah simply doesn't miss. This time, he found Malachi Toney on a 50/50 ball that he hauled in over a linebacker. What began as a slow start has turned into a runaway for the Hurricanes, up 21-0 after the 8-yard strike. On the same drive, Javian Mallory looked more than impressive. While Fletcher is expected to return next week against Clemson, Mallory is making a real case for most of the carries at RB2.
There's no more efficient quarterback in the country. Mensah just threw his third touchdown of the day and is 15-for-17 for 191 yards as we approach halftime. This time, he found Cooper Barkate from 13 yards away. That Duke connection is still alive and well, as Barkate hauls in his third touchdown reception of the year.
To close out the half, Miami gets exactly what it needed - another big score. But this time, Mensah did it with his legs. The five-yard touchdown rush puts Miami up 35-3. Expect the Hurricanes to grind this one out in the second half.
Third Quarter
Jordan Lyle scores his first touchdown of the night in the end zone. He fumbled, recovered it, and celebrated for six. This is officially a Miami runaway after a push-off brought back what would have been an earlier touchdown reception by Malachi Toney. Miami leads 42-3.
Fourth Quarter
If you paid attention to that 41.5-point line between these two, Miami kicker Jake Weinberg just put Miami up by 42 points with a fourth-quarter field goal. The Hurricanes steam toward a 4-0 record with a 45-3 lead.
Another Miami touchdown as Chris Wheatley-Humphrey barrels into the end zone from 35 yards out. It's been the perfect "get healthy" game for Miami, and the backups are loving it. Miami leads 52-3.
Latest Injury News From Central Michigan at Miami
If a player goes down during the game, we'll track it and share updates as they happen. We'll update this throughout the game. View the conference availability report.
After a physical contest against Wake Forest that helped the Hurricanes reach 3-0 in the young season, you'd be hard-pressed to find a single position group that isn't still feeling the soreness from that win. That's why Saturday's game can be viewed as a gift more than anything else. It's a chance for the starters who aren't banged up to rest, and for those who are to attack rehab as hard as possible during the week.
Most notably, bellcow back Mark Fletcher Jr. isn't listed as a captain this week, which some believe means he's out for the matchup against CMU. Since this isn't an ACC matchup, Miami isn't required to submit an injury report to the conference ahead of the game. Fans and media alike will have to wait until kickoff to see whether Fletcher suits up.
Saturday's game is also the first of the 2026-27 season that the Hurricanes will play on a Saturday, as the Wake Forest matchup was the team's final regular-season game on the slate not to take place before the weekend. While that might seem like a small adjustment, the extra day of rest and routine schedules become paramount as the season goes on, and it's something to monitor over the coming weeks.
Live Updates
As feared, Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. remains in sweats before kickoff. He is almost certainly OUT for today's game.
🚨Mark Fletcher Jr. was out for the final five minutes against Wake Forest and he’s so far not suited up as everyone else warms up. pic.twitter.com/S15WvCytyq
— Justice Sandle (@Justice_News5) September 26, 2026
In addition to Fletcher, defensive lineman Ahmad Moten also joined the team in sweats, signaling that he, too, will probably miss today's matchup against the Chippewas.
Central Michigan at No. 6 Miami Game Information
Who: Central Michigan at No. 6 Miami
When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 6:30 p.m. ET
Where: Hard Rock Stadium
Last meeting: Miami won a narrow 17-12 victory in the teams' lone prior meeting in 2019.
Last time out, Miami held out for a strong win against a Wake Forest team determined to ruin someone's 2026 season. By the year's end, the Wake win may be more impressive than many realize.
Last Time Out, Central Michigan hung 24 points on the Wyoming Cowboys in the team's second home game of the year to improve to 2-1.
Weather: You'll have a hard time finding a better place for college football than South Florida on Saturday, with highs of 85 degrees and expected 80-degree temps around kickoff.
Officials: The exact crew has not been released yet, but a standard ACC official crew will work the game.
Game Captains: Miami: Malachi Toney, Darian Mensah, Matthew McCoy, Mohamed Toure, Armondo Blount, Zechariah Poyser | Central Michigan: Angel Flores, Langston Lewis, Jaion Jackson, Martin Koivisto
How to Watch Central Michigan at No. 6 Miami
TV: The CW (Thom Brennaman, play-by-play; Jason Cabinda, analyst; Wes Bryant, sideline reporter; Rob Reichley, producer).
Radio: 104.3 WQAM (Joe Zagacki, Don Bailey, Jr., Josh Darrow)
Spanish Radio: Radio Libre 790 AM (Alfredo Alvarez, Joe Martinez)
Betting Odds for Central Michigan at No. 6 Miami
Spread: Miami -41.5
Over/Under: 53.5 points
Source: FanDuel Sportsbook
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Keys to the Game: No. 5 Miami at Wake Forest
For the third time this season, all Miami needs to do in this game is to simply be Miami. The tough games will come later, but as long as the Hurricanes have their heads on straight and don't play outside themselves on Saturday, a convincing win should be well within reach.
The ground game will need to get going early and often, but who it revolves around, given the Fletcher and Marty Brown injuries, remains to be seen. With that being said, running behind the Miami offensive line is a job that many running backs would do many things for, and with the talent that Miami has at the position down the depth chart, it shouldn't warrant any concerns, as both Girard Pringle Jr. and Jordan Lyle appear to be ready for action.
The biggest question mark leading into the weekend, though, is at wide out. Can former Duke standout Cooper Barkate finally break through, with Malachi Toney expected to see fewer targets? The potential is certainly there.
However, this weekend, I plan on watching the interior offensive line group like a hawk. Last week was their first real test, and head coach Mario Cristobal and OC Shannon Dawson are still looking for a bit more stability at those spots. This week shouldn't be anything too troubling, but if there's a position group of intrigue this weekend, it's there.
No. 5 Miami at Wake Forest Depth Charts
OFFENSE
Miami
QB: Darian Mensah, Luke Nickel
RB: Mark Fletcher Jr. (TBD), Girard Pringle Jr., Jordan Lyle
X Receiver: Cooper Barkate, Vandrevius Jacobs
Y Receiver: Malachi Toney, Daylyn Upshaw
Z Receiver: Daylyn Upshaw, Dre Jacobs, Somourian Wingo
TE: Elija Lofton, Gavin Mueller
LT: Samson Okunlola, Joel Ervin
LG: Jackson Cantwell, Joel Ervin
C: Ryan Rodriguez, SJ Alofaituli
RG: Ben Congdon, Max Buchanan
RT: Matthew McCoy, Jaden Wilkerson
Central Michigan
QB: Angel Flores, Jadyn Glasser
RB: Vaughn Blue, Brock Townsend
X Receiver: Langston Lewis, Justin Ruffin Jr.
FB: Rusty VanWetzinga, Landon Swanson
Z Receiver: Braylen Naves, Nasir Williams
TE: Myles Peters, Gavin Spillers
LT: Jacob Booth, John Williams
LG: Jacob Russell, Matthew Nehf
C: Losini Maka, Trevor Swan
RG: John Iannuzzi, Brady Ploucha
RT: Martin Koivisto, Triston Pierre
DEFENSE
Miami
DE: Armondo Blount, Herbert Scroggins III
DT: Justin Scott, Keona Davis
DT: Jarquez Carter, Keona Davis
DE: Damon Wilson, Marquise Lightfoot
WILL: Chase Smith, Bobby Pruitt
MIKE: Mo Toure, Kamal Bonner
CB: Ethan O'Connor, Camdin Portis
CB: Damari Brown, Ryan Mack
S: Bryce Fitzgerald, Omar Thornton
S: Zechariah Poyser, JJ Dunnigan
NICKEL: Omar Thornton, Camdin Portis
Central Michigan
DE: Korver Demma, Hunter Zirkle
NT: Jaxon Cherry, Max Van Fleet
DE: JJ Douglas, James Reinbold
WLB: Xavier White, Jeremiah Alston
MLB: Mayson Hitchens, Antonio Cherry Jr.
SLB: Victor Earl, Brett McCalla
CB: Donavan Philord, Kameran Hayward
SS: Darrell Bryant Jr., Coen Ali
FS: Justin Taylor, Tysen Campbell
CB: Matthew McKenzie, Ty Williams
NICKEL: Jaion Jackson, Keyton Jones
SPECIAL TEAMS
Miami
P: Dylan Joyce
K: Jake Olsen
KOS: Jake Weinberg
KO/P Return: Malachi Toney, Girard Pringle Jr.
Central Michigan
P: Declan Duley
K: Caden VanHuis
KOS: Caden VanHuis
KO/P Return: Justin Ruffin Jr., Tysen Campbell, Brock Townsend
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Tanner Marlar is a contributing writer for Miami Hurricanes On SI who has covered collegiate athletics at the local and national levels for nearly a decade, including at Cowbell Country, Mississippi State On SI, Boston College On SI, and Vanderbilt Commodores On SI. As a former beat writer, Tanner strives to give thought provoking and exciting coverage to readers who want to know the very best current information about their team.
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