Miami running back honors father with emotional TD in rivalry game with Florida State

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.

Mark Fletcher Jr.

never considered not playing in Miami's rivalry game against Florida State, for the simple reason that his father would have wanted him out there.

And it was no accident that Miami's opening touchdown was his.

Fletcher rushed for 71 yards and a score in Miami's 36-14 win over Florida State on Saturday night playing despite the fact that his father, Mark Fletcher Sr., died earlier in the week.

Fletcher took a knee in the Hard Rock Stadium end zone after scoring, pointing to the sky.

Just a shout out to my dad, paying him respect, Fletcher said.

Its been a long time since hed seen Hard Rock this packed.

I know he would have loved this, this energy out here, all the seats was taken up.

I know he would have loved it.

So, I just did this for him.

Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr.

reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of Saturday's game against Florida Statein Miami Gardens, Fla.

Lynne Sladky, Associated Press Miami (8-0, 4-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) rose one spot to No.

5 in the AP Top 25 on Sunday.

Big Mark," as Fletcher's dad was known by everyone around the Miami program, was a regular visitor to practice.

He would hold court in the stands at games, talking to anyone and everyone with a personality that Miami coach Mario Cristobal described as larger than life.

Hes got the best seat in the house going forward, looking from above, Cristobal said.

I know hes super proud of Mark.

Fletcher was the only running back to touch the ball for Miami on that initial series, starting his night with a 13-yard rush on his first touch.

His touchdown even had others on the Miami sideline pointing to the sky.

This game was for him and his family, Miami quarterback Cam Ward said.

What hes going through outside of football, I dont wish on no man.

He got the game ball, and he deserves it." Miami running back Mark Fletcher Jr.

runs for a first down as Florida State defensive back K.J.

Kirkland defends during the first half of Saturday's game in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Lynne Sladky, Associated Press That game ball presentation came in the locker room afterward.

There were other worthy performances Ward threw for 208 yards, Damien Martinez rushed for 148 yards and two scores, and the defense held Florida State to 248 yards.

But teammates wanted the night to belong to Fletcher.

It meant everything to me," Fletcher said.

"It just shows the brotherhood we have.

I just played a good game, and Im not even the one who had all the greatest stats, but they just showed that to me, to show how much they supported me.

Im nothing but appreciative.

The Hurricanes are entering November unbeaten for the first time since 2017, are one of four unbeaten teams left in ACC games Clemson is 5-0, Miami and SMU are 4-0 and Pitt is 3-0 and play host to Duke this Saturday.

It'll be another trying few days for Fletcher; services for his father are scheduled for later this week.

Im staying strong," Fletcher said.

"I know my dad wanted me to come out here and ball out for him.

Its just extra motivation.

I love that man so much.

Hes going to be so missed.

But Ive got to keep his legacy living on.

Im so happy I got his name.

Im so happy I got his name.

The New York Liberty celebrate after defeating the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA basketball final series to win the WNBA championship, Sunday, Oct.

20, 2024, in New York.

(AP Photo/Pamela Smith) Pamela Smith Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) runs for a touchdown as Las Vegas Raiders safety Isaiah Pola-Mao, bottom, attempts to tackle during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, Oct.

20, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif.

(AP Photo/Ryan Sun) Ryan Sun Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) pulls in a pass reception over Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr.

(23) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct.

20, 2024, in Cleveland.

(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) Sue Ogrocki New Zealand's captain Sophie Devine, center, poses with teammates Lea Tahuhu, left, and Suzie Bates with the trophy after winning the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 final match against South Africa at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct.

20, 2024.

(AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Altaf Qadri New Zealand's Suzie Bates plays a shot during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Oct.

20, 2024.

(AP Photo/Altaf Qadri) Altaf Qadri Liverpool's Curtis Jones, right, scores his side's second goal past Chelsea's goalkeeper Robert Sanchez during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool, England, Sunday, Oct.

20, 2024.

(AP Photo/Jon Super) Jon Super Emirates Team New Zealand, right, and Ineos Brittania race during the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 6 race 9 in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Oct.19, 2024.

(AP Photo/Bernat Armangue) Bernat Armangue Ryann O'Toole of the United States hits out of a bunker on the 14th green during the final round of the LPGA Ladies Championship golf tournament at the Seowon Valley Country Club in Paju, South Korea, Sunday, Oct.

20, 2024.

(AP Photo/Lee Jin-man) Lee Jin-man AC Milan's Samuel Chukwueze, left, and Udinese's Jordan Zemura challenge for the ball during the Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Udinese at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024.

(AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Antonio Calanni The ball hits the helmet of New Zealand's Will Young as he attempts to play a shot on a delivery by India's Ravindra Jadeja during the day five of the first cricket test match between India and New Zealand at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, in Bengaluru, India, Sunday, Oct.

20, 2024.

(AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi) Aijaz Rahi Washington Wizards guard Johnny Davis, top right, passes the ball off under the basket against New York Knicks center Jericho Sims (20) and Tyler Kolek (13) during the second half of an NBA preseason basketball game Friday, Oct.

18, 2024, in Washington.

(AP Photo/John McDonnell) John McDonnell New York Yankees' Aaron Judge is hit by a pitch thrown by Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee during the first inning in Game 5 of the baseball AL Championship Series Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in Cleveland.

(AP Photo/Godofredo A.

Vasquez) Godofredo A.

Vasquez In this image taken with a slow shutter speed, Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Tanner Bibee throws against the New York Yankees during the fourth inning in Game 5 of the baseball AL Championship Series Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in Cleveland.

(AP Photo/Godofredo A.

Vasquez) Godofredo A.

Vasquez PSG's Bradley Barcola, center, gets in a shot during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Strasbourg at the Parc des Princes in Paris, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024.

(AP Photo/Christophe Ena) Christophe Ena Team members stand along the fence celebrating as Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, of Monaco, wins the U.S.

Grand Prix auto race at Circuit of the Americas, Sunday, Oct.

20, 2024, in Austin, Texas.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Treinen and catcher Will Smith celebrate their win against the New York Mets in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Sunday, Oct.

20, 2024, in Los Angeles.

(AP Photo/Julio Cortez) Julio Cortez Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo, right, heads the ball ahead of Scotland's Grant Hanley during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Scotland and Portugal at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland, Tuesday, Oct.

15, 2024.

(AP Photo/Scott Heppell) Scott Heppell Nashville Predators left wing Cole Smith (36) shoots the puck past Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (25) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct.

17, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn.

(AP Photo/George Walker IV) George Walker IV Washington Wizards forward Patrick Baldwin Jr.

puts up a floater in the first half during a preseason NBA basketball game against the Brooklyn Nets, Monday, Oct.

14, 2024, in New York.

(AP Photo/Heather Khalifa) Heather Khalifa Central Florida cheerleaders perform on the field during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Oct.

12, 2024, in Orlando, Fla.

(AP Photo/Phelan M.

Ebenhack) Phelan M.

Ebenhack Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, of the Netherlands, tops a hill during a qualifying session for the Formula One U.S.

Grand Prix auto race at Circuit of the Americas, Saturday, Oct.

19, 2024, in Austin, Texas.

(AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay Ineos Britannia races during the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Day 4 race 5 in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, Oct.

16, 2024.

(AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) Emilio Morenatti Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani celebrates in the locker room after their win against the New York Mets in Game 6 of a baseball NL Championship Series, Sunday, Oct.

20, 2024, in Los Angeles.

(AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Ashley Landis Argentina's Lionel Messi jumps for the ball challenged by Bolivia's Carmelo Algaranaz during a World Cup 2026 qualifying soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, Oct.

15, 2024.

(AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Natacha Pisarenko.

This article has been shared from the original article on rapidcityjournal, here is the link to the original article.