STANFORD – Stanford had no answer for receiver Malachi Toney and No. 7 Miami on Friday night.
Toney set a Miami record with 234 receiving yards, catching 12 passes on 13 targets and scoring three touchdowns in three quarters as the Hurricanes overwhelmed Stanford 45-6 in their first-ever appearance at Stanford Stadium.
Duke transfer Darian Mensah completed 27 of 30 passes for 401 yards and five TDs in his Miami debut, helping the Hurricanes demonstrate why they were picked to finish first in the ACC preseason media poll while Stanford was picked to finish last.
The Cardinal entered the game coming off a season-opening victory over Hawaii. But against Miami, the gap between the teams was evident from the start.
STANFORD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 04: Malachi Toney #1 of the Miami (FL) Hurricanes reacts after he scored his second touchdown of the first half against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium on September 04, 2026 in Stanford, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Toney, who led the nation in receptions last season, caught a 48-yard pass on Miami’s first play from scrimmage, then capped the Hurricanes’ first two drives with touchdown receptions. He had a career-high 182 receiving yards by halftime.
Stanford tried to adjust after struggling to defend Toney man-to-man by going to a Cover-2 in the third quarter. But when Miami sent Toney down the middle of the field, neither Stanford safety picked him up. Toney blew past linebacker Sam Mattingly and caught Mensah’s pass for a 47-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 42-6.
Stanford quarterback Davis Warren completed 21 of 41 passes for 214 yards and has yet to commit a turnover this season, but tight end Benji Blackburn and receiver Zion Robinson each dropped passes in the end zone.
Senior receiver Caden High also made his season debut, catching six passes for 92 yards after breaking his collarbone in mid-August.
After playing two games in six days, Stanford now has an off week before visiting Duke on Sept. 19.