Freshman running back Javian Mallory etched his name in the history books of the Miami–Florida State rivalry on Saturday night. He ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries, helping lift the Hurricanes past their in-state foe.
The most important play from his performance? That would be a 25-yard touchdown run in the first overtime period that kept the Canes alive.
Mallory knew he was scoring before the ball was even snapped.
“Honestly, I knew it was a touchdown pre-snap,” he told reporters after the game. “I knew I was gonna be one-on-one with number 11, and if I beat him, it was a touchdown. Shout to my o-line, Elija Lofton for making the incredible block.”
A South Florida native, Mallory relished the opportunity to face the Seminoles and take part in one of college football’s most competitive rivalry games.
“It was great. It was really a lifetime moment,” Mallory said. “Growing up, I watched that game. That was my favorite game to watch each and every year, so finally being able to play in it as a Miami Hurricane and beating the Seminoles, it’s a dream come true.”
While this was arguably his best showing yet, Mallory has proven all season long that he’s a vital part of the Hurricanes’ offense. He’s rushed for a team-high 397 yards and ranks eighth nationally among all players with at least 40 carries with an average yards per attempt of 7.6.
When asked about the first-year back on Monday, Cristobal revealed that he could tell “right away” that Mallory had the potential to be a difference-maker for Miami.
“Javian’s first impression came in the postseason last year,” Cristobal said. “It was kind of neat, we had all those guys running scout team … So we had him simulating the ball-carriers of those teams that we played, and right away you could tell that he’s a downhill guy that plays with a lot of power, a lot of juice. Accels and decels are off the charts.
“He worked hard at changing his body and continues to do so, really trimmed himself down and got leaner, better balance and body control, more explosive. And he’s got great mentorship in that room with Mark Fletcher and Marty Brown and really Jordan Lyle as well. All in all, a guy that [I am] really happy he’s here as a Miami Hurricane. It means a lot to him to be a Miami Hurricane, and his moment came on Saturday and he came through.”
Offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson says that Mallory is making “huge strides.”
“I thought that game was big for him. He came in and did some great things. You can see his talent,” Dawson continued. “He looks good, he feels good, he’s in a good mindset and I continue to see him doing exactly what he did and more in that game.”
Up next, Mallory will take his toughest test yet. Pittsburgh has dropped its last two games, but the it enters Saturday's matchup with the nation’s top-ranked run defense. Kick-off from Hard Rock Stadium will be at noon.
