The Miami Hurricanes have quickly established themselves as national title contenders this season, opening with a win over top-ten Notre Dame and following it up with a dominating 45-3 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Saturday.
Ahead of their Week Three matchup against No. 18 USF, head coach Mario Cristobal provided an update on a freshman defensive lineman, while quarterback Carson Beck earned high praise from a former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL veteran.
Mario Cristobal Provides Injury Update While NFL Veteran Praises Carson Beck
Despite Miami’s hot start this season, the team has been dealing with injuries, including true freshman defensive lineman Hayden Lowe, who was expected to be a rotational piece on the Hurricanes’ defensive line.
Lowe, ranked by Rivals as a four-star recruit, the No. 3 EDGE prospect, and No. 34 overall player in the 2025 class, committed to Miami out of Oaks Christian High School in Los Angeles, California, and was expected to make an immediate impact as a freshman.
However, he has yet to see the field this season. Cristobal recently provided an update, explaining that Lowe is dealing with an injury and could miss additional time.
Miami coach Mario Cristobal said on The Joe Rose Show that freshman defensive end Hayden Lowe is hurt and it “might be a little” until he returns.
— Adam Lichtenstein (@ABLichtenstein) September 8, 2025
While Lowe’s absence will be felt, the good news for the Hurricanes is their quarterback play. Beck has lived up to Miami’s expectations since joining the program via the transfer portal this offseason.
Beck faced a lot of criticism during his final year at Georgia in 2024, but after the change of scenery, he has looked like the 2023 version of himself, when he was one of the nation’s top quarterbacks.
In two games with Miami, Beck has thrown for 472 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions, completing 77.8% of his passes. He’s making big-time plays while remaining highly efficient, and if he continues at this level, he could easily lead this stacked Hurricanes roster to a College Football Playoff appearance.
BECK TO TONEY!!!!! pic.twitter.com/jSf3TePVxx
— Grant Speaks (@GrantSpeaks1) September 1, 2025
Beck’s career revival is drawing attention, including from three-year NFL veteran and former Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, who praised Beck following his performance in Miami’s win over Notre Dame.
“There were a lot of things that didn’t go right for Georgia and for him to come out against one of the best defenses in the country at Notre Dame,” Tebow said. “What a great answer for this young man under a lot of criticism, for him to step back up and show what he can do and how good of a player he is.”
Read More: Miami HC Mario Cristobal Makes Huge Admission About Relationship With Dwayne Johnson
There’s no doubt Beck faced struggles at Georgia last season, and whether they were physical or mental, it’s clear that the young quarterback has figured it out and has been lights out for Miami this season. As Tebow notes, he’s performing at a high level despite the criticism and noise surrounding him.
Beck has another opportunity to prove he’s back among the nation’s top quarterbacks this weekend, as Miami faces USF. The Bulls are coming off a win over Florida and are emerging as one of the best Group of Six teams in the country.
The Hurricanes’ matchup against USF will be broadcast on the CW Network at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 13, 2025.
