Does Malachi Toney Change the Outcome? An Honest Look
This past Saturday, November 7th, #11 Notre Dame beat #1 Miami, 31-24, in the most recent renewal of the infamous 'Catholics vs Convicts' Rivalry. Most notably, the Hurricanes were without the superstar receiver Malachi Toney.
A large question looms over the Golden Dome and the ever-so-vast landscape of College Football as a whole... Do the Irish still come out victorious if Toney were healthy?
Toney was announced to be on the sideline for the upcoming game on account of a high ankle sprain suffered during Miami's team practice on Wednesday. He is expected to be out for approximately four weeks after undergoing surgery. Toney has been a key contributor to the Hurricanes' offensive attack thus far, as well as a potential Heisman favorite. Toney has 13 touchdowns already for the season and has brought in 73 catches for 1,027 yards. His eleven receptions for 154 yards and two touchdowns led Miami to a double-overtime victory over their dreaded rival Florida State earlier in the year. Toney was limited against North Carolina, where he "only" had 75 yards.
Toney is undeniably a great player who would make a positive impact for anyone in the nation. His absence most definitely contributed to Miami's lackluster air attack against the Irish in the first half. However, the 'Canes weren't the only team plagued by injury.
Two-time captain and Butkus Award Semifinalist Linebacker, Drayk Bowen, suffered a right ankle injury in the first half against Navy the previous week. Bowen had garnered 45 total tackles before getting injured. However, the stats aren't the only area of importance to consider. Bowen is the lead signal caller and defensive captain for the Irish, and his leadership was greatly missed Saturday night.
Furthermore, Defensive Back DJ McKinney was also out for the Miami game after he suffered an ankle injury in the October 17th BYU loss. Although DJ McKinney isn't Leonard Moore, his absence was felt by the Irish secondary in the game. Projected first-round pick Brauntae Johnson was also out after he got injured in week one in the defeat of Wisconsin. Finally, the dominant Defensive Tackle duo in Francis Brewu and Jason Onye were also injured and subsequently sidelined for the rivalry game.
Perhaps the most frightening moment of the Miami game was seeing All-American Leonard Moore remain on the ground after executing a hard hit on the Hurricane ball carrier. Moore had just suffered a concussion a few weeks prior during the North Carolina skirmish. Moore would miss a substantial amount of time during the second half. The fourth quarter also gave the Irish anxiety when Defensive Back Jayden Sanders headed to the medical tent after he collided with a teammate during a tackle. Moore was seen spitting blood as he left the game, allowing Miami to target his replacement repeatedly as the Hurricanes stormed back from a 24-3 deficit to score 21 second-half points. Despite a strong second-half surge, the Hurricanes were outlasted by a dominant C.J. Carr-led Irish air attack, and the comeback would end in vain as the Irish captured a 31-24 victory over the top dog.
My conclusion? Toney's powerful presence was definitely a factor in the Miami loss. However, the Irish were without five defensive starters at first-quarter kickoff, and had two dominant DB's go down in the second half. I would argue the Irish were more at a disadvantage injury-wise than the 'Canes were. The excuse is just what it sounds like. A lackluster and yawn-worthy excuse for losing. With the Virgin Mary on the Golden Dome and Touchdown Jesus as my witness, I'd confidently attest that the Irish won fair and square, and Miami will look to clinch its potential playoff position with another victory over a different team.
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