Miami football vs Florida highlights: Hurricanes dominate Gators in 26

Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) moves the ball up field during the season opener at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, August 31, 2024 against the University of Miami Hurricanes in the second half. Miami defeated the Gators 41-17. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun]

Miami football passed its toughest test of the 2025 college football season, so far.

The No. 7 Hurricanes defeated rival Florida 26-7 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, Sept. 20, behind an impressive effort from its defense.

Miami (4-0) limited Florida (1-3) to just 32 yards of offense in the first half and, outside of an 80-yard second-half drive from the Gators, dominated the line of scrimmage.

Florida finished with 141 total yards of offense, with just 59 yards coming via the passing game. DJ Lagway completed 12 of 23 passes for 61 yards, with the Hurricanes sacking him four times.

Miami running back CharMar Brown had 18 rushes for 80 yards and a game-leading two rushing touchdowns, while Mark Fletcher Jr. had 24 rushes for 116 yards and another score. Carson Beck struggled, relatively, with a 17-of-30 passing line for 160 yards and an interception.

Florida’s one scoring drive came on the first drive of the second half, as it drove for 80 yards on 11 plays to cut the lead to 13-7 at the time. However, Florida’s offense never got anything else going. The Gators were 0 for 13 on third downs (3 for 6 on fourth downs) and finished with just seven first downs.

The loss drops Billy Napier to 20-22 at Florida, which fell to its first 1-3 start since 1986.

Stream Florida football vs. Miami live on Fubo (free trial)

USA TODAY Sports brought you live updates, scores and highlights from the game. Check it out:

Miami vs Florida score

This section will be updated throughout the game

Miami vs Florida highlights

Final: Miami 26, Florida 7

Miami-Florida football final stats

Here's a look at the final stats from the Miami-Florida matchup:

Miami defeats Florida 26-7

Miami earns a 26-7 win over rival Florida to move to 4-0 on the season. The loss drops the Gators to 1-3. Both teams head into a bye week in Week 5. Miami will take on FSU in a potential top-five matchup on Oct. 1.

Mark Fletcher scores touchdown for Miami to cement win

It's a rivalry game, so there was no doubt Miami would go for another score from the 1-yard line. Mark Fletcher Jr. scores to give the Hurricanes a 26-7 lead with 1:56 left.

Miami forces turnover on downs

Miami's defense gets another stop, as it forces Florida to turn the ball over on downs. The Hurricanes will take over on the Florida 22-yard line with a chance to run out the clock.

CharMar Brown scores dagger touchdown for Miami

CharMar Brown scores from a yard out to extend the Miami lead to 19-7 with 4:08 remaining in the game. The Hurricanes' 2-point conversion fails.

The scoring drive is 13 plays for 80 yards and takes 7:12 off the game clock. The drive comes following Miami's defense getting a stop on fourth down.

Florida needs two touchdowns to win the game.

Florida defense forces three-and-out

Miami goes three-and-out and Florida's defense has dominated the second half. Following a 50-yard punt from Dylan Joyce, the Gators will start the next drive from their own 18-yard line. There is 13:20 left in the game.

Florida turns ball over on downs

Billy Napier stays aggressive and goes for it on fourth-and-3. DJ Lagway completes a pass to TJ Abrams, but Abrams does not get the first down.

Miami will take over on its own 31-yard line.

End of third quarter: Miami 13, Florida 7

Miami leads 13-7 going into fourth quarter

Miami holds a 13-7 lead entering the fourth quarter against rival Florida. The Gators will face a fourth-and-4 from the Hurricanes' 33-yard line when the final quarter commences.

Will Florida coach Billy Napier go for it again on fourth down or will the Gators send out kicker Trey Smack to try and cut the lead to three points?

Cormani McClain picks off Carson Beck

Carson Beck is picked off by Cormani McClain on the first play of the next Miami drive. The Gators will take over on their own 48-yard line after the turnover.

Jadan Baugh gets Florida on the scoreboard

Florida's offense shows life on the first drive of the second half, capped off by a 7-yard touchdown run by running back Jadan Baugh. Trey Smack kicks the extra point to make it a 13-7 Miami lead with 3:24 left in the third quarter.

The Gators drive 80 yards on 11 plays and take 6:12 off the clock. Florida had just 32 yards on 22 plays in the first half.

Miami drives into Florida territory, punts

Miami begins the second drive by getting the ball to the Florida 39-yard line, but the Hurricanes opt to punt the ball away on fourth-and-4. The punt goes for a touchback and the Gators will start the ball from their own 20-yard line.

Halftime: Miami 13, Florida 0

Carson Beck vs DJ Lagway stats comparison

Neither quarterback did much damage in the first half, but Miami holds a 13-0 lead over Florida as Carson Beck has outplayed DJ Lagway through two quarters.

Here's a look at the stats comparison between Beck and Lagway in the first half:

• Carson Beck, Miami: 8-of-17 passing for 98 yards; 2 rushes for -7 yards
• DJ Lagway, Florida: 6-of-12 passing for 28 yards; 3 rushes for -3 yards

Miami-Florida halftime stats

Miami leads Florida 13-0 at halftime

Miami holds a 13-0 lead over Florida at halftime. The Hurricanes' defense has dominated and the offense has a touchdown and two field goals.

The Hurricanes will get the ball first out of halftime, and could extend the lead. But Florida's defense has kept them in the game.

Miami adds field goal to extend lead

Florida's defense bends, but does not break as Miami kicks a 28-yard field goal to make it 13-0 with 1:29 left in the first half.

The scoring drive is 10 plays for 52 yards and takes 3:22 off the clock.

Miami gets the ball coming out of halftime.

Another three-and-out for Florida

Florida starts its drive from its own 8-yard line and goes three-and-out on the fourth offensive drive of the game.

Miami starts its drive on Florida's 43-yard line.

Missed targeting call on Akheem Mesidor?

Florida gets one first down, but punts the ball after getting the ball to its own 43-yard line.

However, it appeared the officials miss a targeting call on Miami's Akheem Mesidor on a reverse attempt by Florida receiver Eugene Wilson III. The replay officials did not stop the game to review the play.

Carter Davis extends Miami's lead with field goal

Florida's defense finally shows some signs of life with a key sack of Carson Beck on second down by freshman Jayden Woods. Carter Davis' 53-yard field goal is good, however, to extend the Miami lead to 10-0.

The scoring drive goes 16 plays for 37 yards and takes 8:19 off the clock. However, Florida gets a few key stops near the end of the drive. Miami converted 4 of 5 third-down attempts on the drive.

End of quarter: Miami 7, Florida 0

Miami leads Florida 7-0 after first quarter

Miami football holds a 7-0 lead after one quarter against rival Florida. The Hurricanes will start the second quarter with the ball at the UF 22-yard line with a chance to add to their lead.

The Hurricanes are outgaining the Gators 116-5 in the opening period.

Florida's second drive ends in 3-and-out

A false start on Jake Slaughter forces UF into a third-and-7, which Florida cannot convert. That results in a second straight three-and-out for the Gators.

Florida was plagued by penalties in back-to-back losses to USF and LSU, and they hurt the Gators on that drive.

CharMar Brown, Miami strike first with touchdown

Miami strikes first on a 2-yard touchdown run by CharMar Brown to give the Hurricanes an early 7-0 lead. Carson Beck completed two passes for 35 yards on the drive, including a 22-yard pass to Brown to get Miami into the red zone.

The scoring drive is seven plays for 56 yards and takes 3:31 off the clock. Miami leads 7-0 with 9:25 left in the first quarter.

Miami forces three-and-out

Miami ends Florida's first drive with a sack of QB DJ Lagway by Marquise Lightfoot. That's three plays and three tackles for loss for the Hurricanes defense.

Following a 56-yard punt by Tommy Doman, Miami will open its first drive from its own 30-yard line.

Florida opens on offense

Miami wins the toss and elects to defer to the second half. That means DJ Lagway and the Gators will open on offense to start the game.

Lagway will look to bounce back from a five-interception performance against LSU last week.

Pregame

Florida potentially down three defensive linemen vs Miami

The Gators could be down as many as three defensive linemen against Miami, according to a report from ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Defensive tackles Caleb Banks and Michai Boireau were already ruled out for the game, but starting defensive end Georgia Grumps Jr. is doubtful to play as well. Gumbs has 10 tackles and a half-sack in three games.

Miami-Florida Bourbon Street Brawl

Twenty-five years ago, the Gators and Hurricanes were set to meet in the 2001 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans. Just a few days before the matchup, Florida and Miami players got into a scuffle on Bourbon Street, which is now known as the "Bourbon Street Brawl."

Here's what you need to know about what happened on that night, ahead of the first matchup between the programs since 1987.

Why does Miami-Florida football not play every year?

Between 1938 and 1987, the Miami-Florida football game used to be a staple on the college football schedule. However, the Hurricanes and Gators have played just nine times since 2000.

Here's why the rivalry has faded into the background as conferences have continued to grow and schedules have evolved with it.

What time does Miami vs Florida start?

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 20
• Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
• Where: Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida

The Week 4 rivalry matchup between Miami and Florida is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Sept. 20, from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

What TV channel is Miami vs Florida on today?

• TV: ABC
• Streaming: ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)

Miami vs. Florida will air nationally on ABC. Streaming options include the ESPN app, ESPN+ and Fubo, the last of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Miami-Florida predictions

• Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY Sports: Miami 34, Florida 14

Carson Beck has a three-touchdown passing performance as the Hurricanes expose the Gators' secondary in a blowout victory. Lagway continues his struggles and cannot get the Florida offense rolling against Miami's defense.

• Kevin Brockway, Gainesville Sun: Miami 28, Florida 17

The Hurricanes will continue their early-season surge by outplaying Florida on the line of scrimmage. Miami quarterback Carson Beck will throw three TD passes, while Florida quarterback DJ Lagway will continue to struggle, throwing two ill-timed interceptions that will factor into the outcome of the game.

Miami football schedule 2025

Here is the Hurricanes' schedule for the 2025 season:

• Saturday, Aug. 30: No. 10 Miami 27, No. 5 Notre Dame 24
• Saturday, Sept. 6: No. 7 Miami 45, Bethune-Cookman 3
• Saturday, Sept. 13: No. 6 Miami 49, No. 23 South Florida 12
• Saturday, Sept. 20: vs. Florida | 7:30 p.m. ET | ABC (Fubo)
• Saturday, Sept. 27: BYE
• Saturday, Oct. 4: at No. 9 Florida State*
• Saturday, Oct. 11: BYE
• Friday, Oct. 17: vs. Louisville* | 7 p.m. ET
• Saturday, Oct. 25: vs. Stanford*
• Saturday, Nov. 1: at SMU*
• Saturday, Nov. 8: vs. Syracuse*
• Saturday, Nov. 15: vs. NC State*
• Saturday, Nov. 22: at Virginia Tech*
• Saturday, Nov. 29: at Pitt*

*Denotes ACC game

Florida football schedule 2025

Here is the Gators' schedule and results.

• Saturday, Aug. 30: No. 17 Florida 55, Long Island 0
• Saturday, Sept. 6: South Florida 18, No. 15 Florida 16
• Saturday, Sept. 13: No. 4 LSU 20, Florida 10
• Saturday, Sept. 20: at No. 6 Miami | 7:30 p.m. ET | ABC (Fubo)
• Saturday, Sept. 27: BYE
• Saturday, Oct. 4: vs No. 7 Texas*
• Saturday, Oct. 11: at No. 10 Texas A&M*
• Saturday, Oct. 18: vs. Mississippi State*
• Saturday, Oct. 25: BYE
• Saturday, Nov. 1: vs. No. 3 Georgia* | 3:30 p.m. | ABC (Fubo)
• Saturday, Nov. 8: at Kentucky*
• Saturday, Nov. 15: at No. 11 Ole Miss*
• Saturday, Nov. 22: at No. 15 Tennessee*
• Saturday, Nov. 29: vs. No. 9 Florida State

*Denotes SEC game

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miami football vs Florida highlights: Hurricanes dominate Gators in 26-7 win

Reporting by Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect