Miami Star Breaks 34-Year-Old Record Held by NFL Legend

Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr. has etched his name in the school's record books by surpassing two of the program's greatest players, Edgerrin James and Stephen McGuire, with a historic touchdown during Saturday's game against North Carolina. This achievement marks Fletcher as the Hurricanes' all-time leader in career touchdowns, breaking a record that had remained untouched since 1992.

Fletcher, a senior running back, achieved this milestone in the second quarter when he caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Darian Mensah, adding to his already impressive career tally of 36 touchdowns. This accomplishment surpasses the previous mark of 35 touchdowns, previously shared by James and McGuire, who both played for Miami from 1996 to 1998.

James, selected fourth overall by the Indianapolis Colts in the 1999 NFL Draft, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, while McGuire, who played from 1989 to 1992, helped establish the standard that Fletcher has now surpassed. With 33 rushing touchdowns and 2 receiving touchdowns to his name, Fletcher's record-breaking reception was particularly fitting for his development into a key offensive contributor at Miami.

The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native has been a dependable player since joining the Hurricanes in 2023 and played a crucial role in Miami's run to the College Football Playoff national championship last season. Fletcher's continued strong performance has been vital for a Hurricanes team that entered the North Carolina matchup undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country.

By surpassing James and McGuire, Fletcher has set a new standard for future Hurricanes to strive for, with the previous record standing for 34 years.