Miami enters Week 5 undefeated after rolling through September, but the Hurricanes are about to face their biggest road test yet when they visit Clemson on Saturday.
However, the Hurricanes backfield should get stronger this week as it’s set to welcome back Miami’s leading rusher for the ACC matchup against the Tigers.
According to The Sun Sentinel’s Adam Lichtenstein, Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said Monday that running back Mark Fletcher Jr. is expected to return against Clemson after missing Saturday’s 52-3 win over Central Michigan.
“We feel Mark is healthy and ready to go,” Cristobal said. “He was banged up to the point where it may not have been the best choice to put him in there, especially with his running style. He kind of runs hard. It was more holding him back. He’s ready to roll.”
Fletcher suffered a minor upper-body injury against Wake Forest on Sept. 18. Miami kept the running back out against Central Michigan as a precaution rather than risk aggravating the issue in an easy Week 4 matchup.
Fletcher has rushed for a team-high 230 yards on 36 rushing attempts through three appearances, averaging 6.4 yards per carry and scoring three touchdowns.
Miami didn’t miss Fletcher on Saturday, generating enough production thanks to Chris Wheatley-Humphrey’s 104 rushing yards and a touchdown on 11 carries against Central Michigan, while Javian Mallory also scored on the ground.
Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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Cristobal’s Monday update also featured defensive tackle Ahmad Moten Sr., who is also expected back against Clemson after Miami held him out Saturday. Moten went down with a minor injury against Wake Forest but returned to that game and played 27 snaps.
Looking forward, Clemson enters this week’s matchup against the 4-0 Hurricanes at 3-1 after rebounding from a 51-10 season-opening loss at LSU with three consecutive victories, including Friday’s 24-10 win at California.
No. 4 Miami visits Clemson on Saturday, Oct. 3, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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