theGAME BALL Report: Wake Forest

September 20, 2026 -

Our Canes survived in Winston-Salem and will come home to host Central Michigan on Saturday at the “Rock.”

As is our custom, we award game balls to players who made solid contributions to victory.

Here’s six Canes who earned GAME BALLS this week.

CB ETHAN O’CONNER:

Our first game ball goes to the young man who took on the challenge of replacing a starter and performing very well, including taking the game saving interception at our goal line in the closing minutes. Ethan also tied for the team lead with eight tackles. He earned a PFF of 83.2 in coverage and a 82.8 tackling grade.

“…he’s a really talented guy who’s developing and becoming a really good football player, and you’re starting to see flashes of what he could be,” said head coach Mario Cristobal.

WR MALACHI TONEY:

Malachi, despite nagging injury, turned in a stellar performance again. He caught 12 passes for 114 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 5.4 yards after catch, including three catches between 10-19 yards, going for 57 yards and a touchdown.

CB BRYCE FITZGERALD:

With Miami still battling a major injury situation at cornerback, Bryce again stepped up and switched positions from safety to cornerback to help the team. He turned in another solid performance, with a PFF grade of 79.2 coverage grade and a 77.0 tackling grade. He allowed only one reception for ZERO yards, with four tackles and a pass breakup.

QB DARIAN MENSAH:

Darian again turned in a very strong performance. He completed his first 24 passes, both school and ACC records. He finished completing 30 of 34 passes for 220 yards and three touchdowns.

DL ARMONDO BLOUNT:

Versatile defensive lineman Armondo Blount impact the game at both defensive end and tackle. He was all over Wake’s quarterback, disrupting the passing game with a team leading nine quarterback pressures to go with his three tackles and a half sack. It seemed he never was off the field for the Canes.

OG MAX BUCHANNON:

Max was a mainstay on the offensive line, giving a ZERO sacks and ZERO quarterback pressures in 70 snaps. Excellent performance.

Congratulations to all our Hurricanes for another victory on the road.

Miami returns home on Saturday to host Central Michigan at Hard Rock Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on CW.

GO CANES!