Malachi Toney set a school record with 16 catches for 194 yards and three touchdowns, while Darian Mensah threw for 387 yards and four scores as No. 1 Miami dominated Pitt 52-23 on Saturday.
"We ran into a buzz saw," Pitt coach Pat Narduzzi said. "That's a good football team. They're the No. 1 team in the country and it's no joke." Miami coach Mario Cristobal praised Toney's dependability, noting that doubling him opens opportunities for other playmakers.
The victory kept Miami (7-0, 5-0 ACC) atop the nation heading into Sunday's AP Top 25 update. Miami improved to 43-6 as the No. 1 team in the country. Toney reached the 2,000-yard career milestone in his 23rd game, joining Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith as the only active FBS players to hit that mark by the end of their sophomore season.
Miami native Cataurus "Blue" Hicks had five catches for 149 yards and a touchdown for Pitt (5-3, 2-3), which fell to 0-14-1 against No. 1 opponents. The Hurricanes celebrated the 25th anniversary of their 2001 national title, wearing throwback jerseys as members of that championship team looked on. Mensah completed 31 of 37 passes, and Miami scored seven times in its first eight possessions.
"The dude works his butt off day in and day out," Mensah said of Toney. "And come Saturday, he's super prepared." Toney finished as the national leader with 66 catches this season.
Mensah completed 31 of 37 passes for 387 yards and four touchdowns, while Miami converted 10 of its first 12 third-down chances. The Hurricanes' dominant performance included six touchdowns and a field goal in their first eight possessions.
Pitt quarterback Holden Geriner completed 18 of 32 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
Miami's current team members wore throwback jerseys featuring the same look and fonts as the 2001 championship team during the anniversary celebration.
Toney now sits 25 receptions short of matching Xavier Restrepo's school record of 200 catches.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing