MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — 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 there.

And it was no coincidence that Miami’s opening touchdown was his.

Fletcher rushed for 71 yards and scored inside No. 6 Miami’s 36-14 win over Florida State on Saturday night – playing despite the fact that his father, Mark Fletcher Sr., died earlier this week. Fletcher got down on one knee in the end zone of Hard Rock Stadium after scoring, pointing to the sky.

“Just a shout out to my dad to pay his respects,” Fletcher said. “It’s been a long time since he’s seen Hard Rock this full. I know he would have loved this, this energy here, all the seats were taken. I know he would have loved it. So I just did this for him.

“Big Mark,” as Fletcher’s father was known to everyone in the Miami program, was a regular at practice. He held court in the stands during games and chatted with everyone with a personality that Miami coach Mario Cristobal described as larger than life.

“He has the best seat in the house from now on, seen from above,” Cristobal said. “I know he is very proud of Mark.”

Fletcher was the only running back to touch the ball for Miami on that first series, starting his night with a 13-yard rush on his first touch. Upon his touchdown, even others on the Miami sideline pointed to the sky.

“This game was for him and his family,” Miami quarterback Cam Ward said. “I wouldn’t wish what he experiences outside of football on anyone. He got the match ball and he deserves it.”

That game ball presentation came next in the locker room. There were other valuable 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 be Fletcher’s.

“It meant the world to me,” Fletcher said. “It just shows the brotherhood that we have. I just played a good match and I’m not even the one with the best stats, but they just showed that to me, to show how much they supported me. I’m just grateful.”

The Hurricanes enter November undefeated for the first time since 2017, are one of four undefeated teams left in Atlantic Coast Conference play – Clemson is 5-0, Miami and SMU are 4-0 and Pitt is 3-0 – and play host to Hertog this Saturday. It will be another difficult few days for Fletcher; Services for his father are scheduled for later this week.

“I’m staying strong,” Fletcher said. “I know my dad wanted me to come here and stand up for him. It’s just extra motivation. I love that man so much. He will be so missed. But I have to make sure his legacy lives on. I’m so glad I have his name. I’m so happy I got his name.”

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