No. 7 Miami Beats Duke 36-25 as Fletcher Breaks Program Rushing-TD Record

No. 7 Miami beat Duke 36-25 on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, as senior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. broke the program's all-time rushing-touchdown record and Javian Mallory scored three touchdowns in relief. Fletcher's four-yard run in the second quarter was the 36th rushing touchdown of his career, passing Stephen McGuire's 34-year-old record, before a right lower-body injury ended his afternoon. Miami improved to 9-1 and 7-0 in the ACC, all but clinching a place in the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte.

Key Points

• Final score: No. 7 Miami 36, Duke 25, Saturday, November 14, 2026. Scoreless first quarter; Miami led 13-10 at half-time, 22-17 after three quarters.
• Fletcher's record: A four-yard touchdown in the second quarter, his 36th career rushing touchdown, breaking Stephen McGuire's program record of 35 (1989-92). He then left injured and did not return.
• Mallory's takeover: Three touchdowns in relief: a 63-yard catch from Darian Mensah and runs of two and 39 yards in the fourth quarter.
• Duke's fight: Nate Sheppard's 47-yard touchdown run broke Duke's single-season rushing record; he added a five-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
• What it means: Miami is 9-1 and 7-0 in the ACC, one step from the title game. Defending champion Duke fell to 7-3, 4-3 ACC, and must win out.

What Happened

The first quarter belonged to the defences, and the game was still scoreless when the second quarter began. Miami opened the scoring with a field goal, and Duke answered with Gavin Strange's 37-yard kick to tie it at 3-3. Then came the moment of the day: Fletcher capped an eight-play, 75-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown run, his 36th career rushing touchdown, and Miami led 10-3. Sheppard answered at once, bursting 47 yards for a touchdown to tie it at 10-10, and Miami kicked a field goal with 37 seconds left in the half to lead 13-10.

The Hurricanes added another field goal early in the third quarter, then Mallory took a short pass from Mensah 63 yards for a touchdown to make it 22-10, though the two-point try failed. Sheppard answered again with a five-yard touchdown run late in the quarter to cut the lead to 22-17. Early in the fourth, Cooper Barkate took a short pass 28 yards to set up Mallory's two-yard touchdown run, and Miami led 29-17. Eget threw an interception on the next drive, and Mallory broke free for a 39-yard touchdown run with 4:21 left to make it 36-17. Duke added a late touchdown, Eget finding Jeremiah Hasley with 21 seconds left, and Sheppard converted the two-point try for the 36-25 final.

Background: A Record 34 Years in the Making

Fletcher entered Saturday tied with McGuire at 35 career rushing touchdowns, and the record had stood since McGuire's final season in 1992. Two weeks earlier, against North Carolina, Fletcher had tied the rushing mark while also breaking the program's career total-touchdown record, passing the shared mark of 35 held by McGuire and Hall of Famer Edgerrin James. The senior from Fort Lauderdale now ranks fifth in program history with more than 2,800 career rushing yards.

The game also carried a reunion storyline: Miami quarterback Darian Mensah had been Duke's quarterback before his last-second departure to Miami in the offseason, and Saturday was his first meeting with his former team. Miami arrived ranked seventh after a 31-24 loss at Notre Dame the previous week, already without star receiver Malachi Toney, out after ankle surgery. Duke arrived as the defending ACC champion at 7-2. See also our report on Notre Dame beating No. 1 Miami 31-24 last week, the Hurricanes' only defeat this season.

Miami Duke 36-25: Mallory Takes Over After Fletcher's Exit

Fletcher's day ended far too soon for Miami's liking. After breaking the record in the second quarter, the senior left with a right lower-body injury and did not return, leaving the Hurricanes without their record-setting back and their leading receiver at the same time. Mallory answered the call: his 63-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter came on a short pass he turned into the game's most explosive play, and his two fourth-quarter touchdown runs, from two and 39 yards, put the game out of reach.

Sheppard's 47-yard touchdown run broke the Blue Devils' single-season rushing record, and by the end of the third quarter he had 123 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. Barkate, who left Duke for Miami, had 138 receiving yards on eight catches. See also our report on Duke routing NC State 41-3 behind Sheppard's record day.

Reactions and Quotes

Miami's official account marked the moment as soon as it happened, posting: "RECORD BREAKER‼️ Mark Fletcher Jr. now holds the record for the most rushing touchdowns in Miami Hurricanes football history 🙌" The post, shared during the game on Saturday, November 14, 2026, captured what the record meant to a programme that had waited 34 years for someone to pass McGuire.

Why It Matters

For Miami, the win is about far more than one Saturday. At 9-1 and 7-0 in the ACC, the Hurricanes have all but clinched a place in the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte, and they control their own path to a conference title. The concern is Fletcher's health: losing a record-setting running back in the same game he made history is a heavy price, and Miami will need Mallory's breakout to be repeatable if Fletcher misses time. For Duke, the defending champions now sit at 7-3 and 4-3 in the conference, and must win out and get help to return to Charlotte. See also our report on Miami surviving North Carolina 38-35, when Fletcher tied the record.

What Happens Next

Miami closes the regular season against Virginia Tech and Boston College, before the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte. The first question of the week will be the state of Fletcher's lower-body injury. Duke must regroup quickly: with two conference defeats, the Blue Devils need to win their remaining games and hope results elsewhere fall their way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the final score of Miami vs Duke?
No. 7 Miami beat Duke 36-25 at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami led 13-10 at half-time and 22-17 after three quarters.

What record did Mark Fletcher Jr. break?
His four-yard touchdown in the second quarter was his 36th career rushing touchdown, breaking Stephen McGuire's Miami program record of 35 (1989-92).

Why did Fletcher leave the game?
He left with a right lower-body injury after his record-setting touchdown and did not return.

Who starred for Miami after Fletcher left?
Javian Mallory, who scored three touchdowns: a 63-yard catch from Darian Mensah and runs of two and 39 yards, the last sealing the win with 4:21 left.

Does Miami clinch the ACC title game with this win?
Not mathematically, but at 9-1 and 7-0 in the ACC the Hurricanes have all but clinched a place in Charlotte. Duke must now win out to keep its title hopes alive.