MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — In a Hard Rock Stadium clash that rekindled memories of the Hurricanes’ glory years, the No. 4 Miami Hurricanes (4-0) stormed past the rival Florida Gators with a 26-7 victory on Saturday night, September 20.
While Miami’s offense churned out 174 rushing yards—highlighted by Mark Fletcher Jr.’s 116-yard, one-touchdown performance—the night belonged to the defense. Anchored by sixth-year senior Akheem Mesidor, the Hurricanes smothered Florida’s attack, holding them to just 141 total yards and forcing a measly 3-of-12 on third down.
At the center of Miami’s disruptive front was Mesidor, a 6-foot-3, 255-pound defensive lineman whose Haitian heritage and Canadian upbringing have shaped his relentless style. Against Florida, he posted four tackles (three solo), 0.5 sacks, and 0.5 tackles for loss, while consistently collapsing the pocket and drawing double teams that freed up teammates.
Paired with rising star Rueben Bain Jr.—who added 1.5 sacks—the duo terrorized Gators quarterback DJ Lagway, limiting Florida to just 42 second-half yards. Miami’s defense, under coordinator Lance Guidry, finished with three sacks and seven tackles for loss, a performance reminiscent of the program’s storied units of the 1980s and ’90s.
Born April 5, 2001, in Ottawa, Ontario, Mesidor grew up as one of five siblings, raised primarily by his mother after his parents’ separation. With his father hailing from Haiti, Mesidor has long carried the island’s resilient spirit into his career. After shining at Clearwater Academy (Fla.), he became a multi-year starter at West Virginia before transferring to Miami in 2022, where he has since emerged as a defensive cornerstone.
With the win, Miami improved to 4-0, fueling hopes of a return to national prominence. The Hurricanes will now turn their focus to a road matchup against Georgia Tech on September 27.
