Miami's Mark Fletcher Jr. Looks To Continue His Rampaging Ways Against Florida
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CORAL GABLES, Fla. — The Miami Hurricanes continue to have a platoon of running backs that can run over anyone but one is starting to stand out above the rest.
Against No. 18 USF, junior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. had a breakout game that everyone knew he was capabable off. He broke off for nearly his career high of 120 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns (should have been three).
Head coach Mario Cristobal loved what he saw from his star player who continues to grow as a player and as a leader.
"There were a lot of dirty looks on Saturday, and initially, you probably saw there were a couple plays with penetration, they came out with a couple looks that we're a little bit off, and we're a little bit off," Cristobal said.
"So the onus is in on the back to, run through a guy, run by a guy, make a guy miss, and the fact that he is getting healthy is really exciting, because you see consistent improvement. His energy, his spirit, his heart, his leadership, his care factor is awesome."
"Mark Fletcher is a special, special young man. Big Mark is watching it from above. I know he's extremely proud of his son, and he's a guy that you can't wait to go to practice and watch him practice, because he's going to bring it. He's going to change the energy of the entire team. And so I guess, I know it sounds boring, but Mark's come a long way, and got a long way to go."
Highest Graded ACC Running Back from Week 3:
— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 16, 2025
🙌 Mark Fletcher Jr, Miami: 84.5@CanesFootball pic.twitter.com/T9Sc0JNAnI
Fletcher was also the highest graded rusher in the ACC this week. He has two this for two weeks in a row and continues to improve and show that he is not an afterthought on this talented Hurricanes offense.
Now his focus is on the Florida Gators, where he has familiarity after last season's dominant season opener win over the program.
"It's generational as South Florida kid, but it's gonna be exciting, and I'm just blessed to be a part of it," Fletcher said about playing Florida last season. "It was fun. You know, doing that, it was fun, but, you, I'm pretty sure those guys, you know, they're coming here to play, play football, that's, very well coached team, those guys fly around, extremely talented on both sides of football, so we just got a deal on a game, we got to be ready for the challenge."
The Hurricanes are set to take on the Gators at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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Justice Sandle is a graduate of Mississippi State University and is the site lead for the Miami Hurricanes on SI. He can be reached at Twitter @Justice_News5.
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Justice Sandle is a graduate of Mississippi State University earning a Bachelor of Arts and Science in Communications with a concentration in Print and Digital Journalism. During his time in Starkville, he spent a year as an intern working for Mississippi State On SI primarily covering basketball, football, baseball, and soccer while writing, recording, and creating multimedia stories during his tenor. Since graduating, he has assumed the role of lead staff writer for Miami Hurricanes On SI covering football, basketball, baseball, and all things Hurricanes related.