After narrowly falling to Indiana in the national championship game at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami is using the defeat as fuel for the 2026 campaign.
"That makes me sick to my stomach," Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. told On3's Pete Nakos. "We were at home and lost. Anybody who's a real competitor - you lose in front of your home team crowd, that's a sick feeling. Even after that game, I talked to the guys in the locker room and said, 'Anybody who's coming back - we're coming back with a vengeance.'
"But we're not just going to get there by being mad. You can be mad, but you've just got to go back to work. That's all we've got to do."
The Hurricanes trailed by double digits heading into the second half but came clawing back after Fletcher rushed for a 57-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. However, quarterback Carson Beck threw an interception with under a minute remaining, securing a 27-21 victory for the Hoosiers.
Fletcher, who amassed 117 rushing yards and two scores in the title game, is returning to Miami for his fourth season with the program. He led the ACC in rushing yards (1,192) last year and is considered one of the top running back prospects for the 2027 NFL Draft.
"There's definitely some unfinished business," Fletcher said. "But it's just the fact that I get to play at Miami again. It's not like I redshirted or got held back. I'm a true senior, and the fact that I get to do this one more time is a blessing."
The Hurricanes will also welcome back wide receiver Malachi Toney following a stellar freshman season in which he posted 1,324 total yards and 11 touchdowns on 132 touches.
After Beck declared for the draft, Miami secured a transfer commitment from former Duke passer Darian Mensah, who's projected to be the Hurricanes' starting quarterback next season. His 3,973 passing yards and 34 touchdowns last year both ranked second in the nation.
"He's (Mensah) a pro," Fletcher said. "It's going to be very exciting to just be on his side and take care of him. His talent is crazy, and once we mold together, it's going to be crazy what we can do."
Head coach Mario Cristobal will enter his fifth season leading the program following a five-year run at Oregon. He's posted a 35-19 record with Miami, including a 26-6 mark over the last two seasons.
The Hurricanes will kick off their 2026 campaign against Stanford on Sept. 4.
