Freshman infielder Daniel Cuvet jogs past first base in the bottom of the fifth inning during Miami’s game against Long Island University on Friday, Feb. 23 at Mark Light Field. Photo credit: Lexy Ward
In the top of the 9th, Long Island University’s (LIU) redshirt freshman Noah Sorenson stepped up to the plate in a 2-2 ballgame. Miami brought out closer Drew Dwyer with hopes of holding the Sharks’ offense at bay.
On the second pitch of the at-bat, Sorenson smashed a solo shot deep into the night, allowing LIU to take their first lead of the evening and silencing the home crowd at Mark Light Field. The infielder’s first hit of the season would be enough for LIU to steal victory from the Hurricanes, 4-2.
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Miami’s bullpen struggled to back up another solid outing from Rafe Schlesinger. After freshman reliever Nick Roberts tossed a perfect four outs, Chris Scinta and Drew Dwyer faltered, allowing the game-tying and go-ahead home runs that led the way for LIU’s comeback victory.
Manager J.D. Arteaga named Dwyer UM’s closer before the start of the season, replacing two-time All-American honor Andrew Walters, who was drafted by the Cleveland Guardians in the second round last July. While trying to fill the role of the longtime reliever in Walters, Arteaga is relying on Dwyer to be Miami’s highest-leverage reliever.
LIU’s pitching staff, however, was dominant, stifling the Miami offense from start to finish. Relievers P.J. Moritz, Matt Galli, and Jack VanDoran held UM to no runs and three hits in four innings. VanDoran sealed the deal for the Sharks, forcing Miami’s Antonio Jimenez into a shallow pop-up to second to end the game.
Neither team was able to get much going offensively in what was a pitcher’s duel between both starters. UM’s Rafe Schlesinger toed the slab at the Light and shined, tossing six innings, striking out seven batters, and only allowing one unearned run.
The Long Island native’s only hiccup was in the fourth inning, where he misfired on a pick-off attempt to second that, if thrown on target, would surely end the inning. Instead, the lefty sent the ball into center field, allowing the LIU runner to score from the second, tying the game at one.
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Miami’s source of offense came from two familiar faces, Daniel Cuvet and Jason Torres. Cuvet started the game with a bang, smacking his fourth home run of the season over the right-field wall to get the scoring going. Torres scored UM’s second and last run, lacing an RBI single into right field.
Cuvet, a freshman, has been the ‘Canes best hitter so far this season, with opponents now taking notice.
After hitting his second home run in as many games, the LIU pitching staff had no interest in facing him late in the game. Tied at two in the eighth, with a runner on second and two outs, the away side intentionally walked Cuvet, opting to face Lorenzo Carrier. The Sharks’ decision panned out perfectly, as the redshirt sophomore popped out to center field.
Miami looks to win the series against LIU in the rubber match game Sunday at Mark Light Field. Miami-Dade transfer Herrick Hernandez is slated to get the start for the Hurricanes. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
MIAMI (WSVN) – A 21-year-old man was arrested on a charge of sexual battery on a minor by an adult and lewd or lascivious molestation stemming from an alleged incident involving a 10-year-old girl, according to an arrest report.
According to the report, Alvin Davis was arrested due in connection from an alleged incident that occurred Oct. 16, 2025, in Miami. The child’s mother, who became suspicious and placed a recording device in the child’s bedroom.
The report states the girl told investigators that Davis touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions.
Authorities said Davis was transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and is being held without bond.
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Former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is expected to be a late first-round draft pick on Thursday night, which will bring him a guaranteed four-year contract worth around $20 million. But he considered turning that down for a big-money offer to stay in college.
Simpson, who has previously said that Miami offered him $6.5 million to transfer and play for the Hurricanes in 2026, said on David Pollack’s podcast that the money was too good not to at least think about.
“I think the last offer was definitely one that I just had to sit down and consider, because it would have been life-changing money,” Simpson said. “It would have made me the highest-paid player in college, and it was something to where I was like, I can’t just ignore this. I have to sit down and think about it. That’s how I am, I don’t want to do anything sporadic. I want to sit down and think it all out, and it really just came down to how I wanted to be remembered and what do I want to do.”
Simpson, who spent three years as a backup at Alabama before becoming the starter last year, went to his former coach, Nick Saban, for advice.
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“I actually talked to Coach Saban about this,” Simpson said. “The things he was talking about were, do you want to play football in college, or do you want to play football professionally? And he was like, ‘Take the money out of it, take the rounds out of it, what do you want to do next year?’ And without a doubt, without hesitation, I said, ‘I want to play professional football.’ And he was like, ‘Well, there’s your answer.’ It was something that I’ve always dreamed of, and I felt that I was ready to take that next step and be the face of a franchise and lead a locker room.”
It’s a different world in football now that players might make more money with another year in college than their annual average salary will be in the NFL. Now, players have to think about whether the NCAA or the NFL will be more lucrative. NIL deals have changed both college football and pro football.
Photo Credit: @CanesFootball via X // redshirt senior wideout Cooper Barkate catches a 29-yard touchdown from Darian Mensah during Miami’s Spring Game on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Cobb Stadium.
After more than three months removed from a devastating national championship loss, over 5,000 fans gathered at Cobb Stadium on Saturday morning for a first look at Miami football’s 2026 squad.
The annual spring game offered exactly that: a mix of evaluation and entertainment. Miami structured the day differently this year, using the first half for position drills, including passing, red zone and agility work, before transitioning into a live scrimmage in the second half.
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Much of the attention centered on new quarterback Darian Mensah, a transfer from Duke. While he started slow, Mensah quickly settled in and showed why he’s expected to lead the Hurricanes this fall.
Mensah connected multiple times with familiar target Cooper Barkate, his former teammate at Duke. The duo picked up right where they left off, highlighted by a 29-yard touchdown to the back corner of the end zone. Mensah added a 33-yard touchdown pass to Daylyn Upshaw and a five-yard score to Cam Vaughn, another transfer addition.
Calm in the pocket and effective under pressure, Mensah extended plays and delivered accurate throws, flashing the kind of playmaking ability Miami fans have been eager to see.
With several returning starters such as wide receiver Malachi Toney and running back Mark Fletcher seeing limited action, opportunities opened for younger players to contribute. RB Jordan Lyle capitalized, breaking off multiple strong runs and showing quick footwork in the open field.
Behind Mensah, Miami showcased its quarterback depth. Judd Anderson, Luke Nickel and early enrollee Dereon Coleman all saw snaps, with Nickel making a strong case for the backup role. Coleman flashed potential but remains a longer-term development piece.
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Photo Credit: @CanesFootball via IG // Miami quarterback Darian Mensah performs handshake with redshirt senior wideout Cooper Barkate during Miami’s Spring Game on April 18, 2026, at Cobb Stadium.
Defensively, Miami may have delivered the most impressive performance of the day.
Despite losing key contributors such as Ruben Bain and Akheem Mesidor to the NFL, the Hurricanes controlled the line of scrimmage and limited offensive production. Defensive lineman Damon Wilson, a transfer from Missouri, along with tackles Justin Scott and Jarquez Carter, consistently disrupted plays. Scott’s quickness stood out against the run, while Wilson applied steady pressure off the edge.
In the secondary, Boston College transfer Omar Thornton, along with JJ Dunnigan and Xavier Lucas, contributed to multiple stops with tight coverage and physical tackling.
The offensive line, featuring several new faces and only one returning starter, showed flashes but remains a work in progress. Freshman Jackson Cantwell has big shoes to fill with Sisi Mauigoa declaring for the NFL draft. At 6-foot-8, 330 pounds, Cantwell acted as a brick wall protecting his QB and winning the battle at the line. However, the second team offensive line had some struggles, with two bad snaps in a row.
For many in attendance, however, the spring game was about more than just performance. It served as a rare opportunity for families and fans to connect with the program in a more personal setting, celebrating players beyond what they show on the field.
“It’s him fulfilling his dream and doing what he wants to do,” said the grandmother of wide receiver Milan Parris. “He’s my oldest grandson, and I’m just over the moon. I’m extremely proud of him.”
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While the defense may have controlled much of the action, the day ultimately served as an early glimpse into a team balancing new talent, developing depth and high expectations.
With nearly five months until the season opener against Stanford on Sept. 4, Miami leaves the spring with promise and plenty to still refine.
