The golden-armed quarterback with the surgically repaired elbow made his Miami Hurricanes debut on Sunday one to savor, likely reassuring Canes fans that life after No. 1 NFL draft pick Cam Ward can be bright
. Carson Beck, the Georgia transfer who entered last season as a Heisman Trophy favorite and first-round draft prospect, led No. 10 Miami to a 27-24 upset of No. 6 Notre Dame in the season opener before a sold-out, vibrant Hard Rock Stadium crowd. The sixth-year senior, who reportedly signed deals worth at least $4 million to play with Miami, finished 20 of 31 (65%) for 205 yards and two touchdowns.
He was sacked once.
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) sets up to pass during an NCAA football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, August 31, 2025. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
“For me, my focus was coming in here and competing my butt off,’’ Beck said. “Win, lose or draw today we would have had 11 more games guaranteed. Obviously, it feels a lot better to come out of here with a win in the fashion we were able to get it done in.’’
If last year’s acquisition of quarterback transfer and eventual superstar Ward quickly turned Miami into a contender, Beck’s Sunday performance offered evidence that his throwing elbow was strong enough to overcome a vaunted Irish program coming off a loss to Ohio State in the national title game.
Sunday was Beck’s first game since Dec. 23 surgery after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of his right elbow during Georgia’s Southeastern Conference Championship win against Texas. He wasn’t cleared to throw again until a week after UM spring practice ended.
Beck threw completions to seven Hurricanes, five of whom weren’t on the roster last season. At one point in the game he had 12 consecutive completions, and the fans rewarded him with roaring approval.
“It was awesome,’’ Beck said. “The crowd was electric. It was a lot of fun, and they showed up and showed out. Our defense was feeding off that energy. Super thankful for the Canes fan base.”
Just seven seconds into the second quarter, Beck heaved the first touchdown pass of his Miami career to freshman slot receiver Malachi Toney, a product of Plantation American Heritage and UM’s top receiver Sunday with six catches for 82 yards and the score. It was Miami’s third drive.
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) looks to throw the ball in the first half of his NCAA football game against Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Photo by Matias J. Ocner mocner@miamiherald.com
Beck ended the first quarter 6 of 10 for 59 yards, with completions to four receivers: newcomers Toney, Keelan Marion, Joshua Moore and CJ Daniels.
After Notre Dame made it 7-7 at 5:21 of the second quarter, UM took over for its fourth drive, but went three-and-out. Beck struck again in the fifth and final drive of the first half, finding his groove with six completions in six attempts.
The 10-play drive culminated with a spectacular one-handed grab by LSU transfer Daniels, whose outstretched arm sucked the ball into his body between Notre Dame defensive backs Adon Shuler and Leonard Moore. Daniels fell onto his back for the 20-yard touchdown that made it 14-7 with 12 seconds left in the half.
“I was on my back and I had seen him in the end zone so I had no idea he had caught it like that,’’ Beck said. “So, I’m over there turning up because I threw a touchdown. Then I seen it on the big screen and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh! There is no way he just caught that.’
“But man, he always tells me, ‘Put it up there. I’ll go get it.’’’
Beck finished the first half 13 of 20 for 147 yards and the two touchdowns. By the time UM made it 21-7 after running back CharMar “Marty” Brown bullied his way into the end zone for a 5-yard, third-quarter touchdown, Beck was 17 of 24 (71%) for 186 yards and two touchdowns.
Notre Dame scored on a 1-yard pass from CJ Carr to Jordan Faison five seconds into the fourth quarter to trail 21-14.
Field goals by Miami and Notre Dame made it 24-17 Canes, before the Irish tied it with 3:21 remaining.
Then, FAU transfer kicker Carter Davis hit what had to be the most clutch field goal of his life, a 47-yarder that gave UM the eventual victory.
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) during an NCAA football game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Sunday, August 31, 2025. PHOTO BY AL DIAZ adiaz@miamiherald.com
Beck said last Wednesday that he was “still the same kid” with “hunger and ferociousness’’ as the one who led Georgia to a 13-1 record and Capital One Orange Bowl victory in 2023, amassing 3,941 yards with a 72.4 completion percentage and only six interceptions to 24 touchdowns. Still the same quarterback who threw for 7,912 yards, 58 touchdowns and 20 interceptions for the Bulldogs.
“The only difference is now I have that experience and I’m more mature and know how to handle specific situations in moments,” he said.
On Sunday, he passed his first post-Georgia test. His next big one comes Sept. 20 at home against the Florida Gators. Next Saturday night he’ll face Bethune-Cookman at 7 p.m., then USF on Sept. 13 before Miami faces archrival Florida State Oct. 4 in Tallahassee
.“We showed that we’re physical,’’ Beck said. “But for us, I guess it comes down to execution.”