The Miami Hurricanes’ offense improved significantly in the second half in their first game without star wide receiver Malachi Toney. After falling behind 17-3 at halftime and gaining 145 total yards, Miami outscored Notre Dame 21-14 and had 232 yards in the second half. Playing from behind, Miami found its passing game in the second half.
Wide receiver Cooper Barkate and tight end Elijah Lofton were the primary targets of Miami quarterback Darian Mensah. Barkate led Miami with 10 receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns after one catch for 24 yards in the first half. Lofton led Miami with 113 yards on seven receptions and one TD after having no catches in the first half.
Toney leads the ACC with 73 receptions, 1,027 yards, and 13 TD receptions. Mensah has completed 212 passes in 276 attempts for 2,694 yards and 28 TDs. Mensah leads the ACC with a 190.83 passer rating and in TD passes, while being first nationally with a 76.8 completion percentage. After going 6-for-12 for 74 yards in the first half, Mensah was 18-for-31 for 202 yards, three TDs and one interception in the second half…