UM sophomore Shalya Stewart wanted to be a model since she was seven years old. Now, after only one year of experience, she’s fully pursuing her dream of modeling as a full-time college student with a showcase at Miami Art Basel.
“I just started modeling at the beginning of this year. I took a six-week modeling course, starting in late January where I learned basic model etiquette,” Stewart said. “At the end of the course I was featured in a fashion show, which was my first time walking in an official show in April.”
Since then, she’s walked for designers like Archie Brown during New York Fashion Week.
“I love New York and hope to walk in NYFW again and book more jobs up there,” Stewart said.
New York Fashion Week is often referred to as one of the “Big Four” fashion events alongside Paris, London and Milan. With only a year of modeling and one professional photo shoot under her belt, Stewart’s journey continues to develop quickly.
“Modeling in Art Basel was a unique experience because it wasn’t a traditional runway. I modeled as ‘live art’ and posed on different platforms,” Stewart said. “I ended up loving this experience and had the opportunity to wear beautiful pieces by talented designers.”
Stewart wore designs by Prajjé Oscar, Scania McQueen and House of Lamaica Couture.
When Stewart isn’t hitting the runway, she continues pursuing her education at UM. As a sophomore studying public relations and sports administration, balancing student life and a modeling career is important to her.
“I honestly just try to keep good time management and make sure I am getting all of my work done on time,” Stewart said. “I also make sure I communicate with my professors if I know I will be missing class and ask a friend for notes or to record the lecture.”
Attending UM has given her countless opportunities that allow her to chase all of her dreams while balancing her education and a modeling career.
For Stewart, she hopes to continue to advance her modeling career in Miami, New York and more, and is open to the endless opportunities she might encounter.
“Since Miami is one of the major modeling markets,” Stewart said. “There are so many opportunities that I can take advantage of while continuing my education.”
John and Maria Rodaz have helped develop Miami as a hub for great artists with their Area Stage Theatre Company & Conservatory since 1989. Now, they need support from their city as they face devastating hardship.
Their daughter, Rachel Pedaux, is in a coma after experiencing a sudden cardiac arrest after Thanksgiving. John and Maria take care of Rachel’s three children and stay at her bedside constantly.
Rachel Pedaux with her mother Maria Rodaz. Photo Courtesy of Jennifer Gomez.
“This has been devastating for our family,” Maria Rodaz said. “But we are holding onto hope and are deeply grateful for every prayer, every message, and every act of kindness.”
After six straight bowl game losses, the Miami Hurricanes are bowl champions once again — defeating the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes 24-14 in the 90th edition of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic.
Up 10 with less than a minute to go, Miami just needed one stop to start its celebration. On first down, while trying to avoid a sack, Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin lofted the ball right into the hands of Miami’s Jakobe Thomas, who slid down and took a knee.
With 71,323 fans in attendance at AT&T Stadium, the Miami sideline erupted as the ’Canes charged onto the field.
Current players and Hurricane legends alike rejoiced as confetti rained down on the field.
The ’Canes are semifinal bound and two wins away from history.
“When the Miami Hurricanes do great things, the city comes together,” said UM head coach Mario Cristobal.
Miami played its brand of football: fast, physical and violent, taking the Buckeyes by storm in an unapologetically dominant defensive display.
The Corey Hetherman-led defense limited the Buckeyes to zero points in the first half as the Hurricanes jumped out to a 14-0 lead.
One of those key plays featured sixth-year redshirt senior defensive back Keionte Scott.
Early in the second quarter, Sayin looked for Brandon Innis behind the line of scrimmage. Scott read the play right away, jumping the route and taking the ball the other way 72 yards to put Miami up two scores.
“It was on film for sure,” Scott said postgame. “And then as soon as the tight end motioned, shot my shot, and the ball went in my hands.”
Since making his return against Texas A&M last week, Scott has been one of the most important players on the Miami defense. In the Hurricanes’ two postseason games, the Auburn transfer has totaled nine tackles, two sacks and one interception return for a touchdown.
Other than Scott’s tremendous play, it was Miami’s trenches that ultimately won the game against the Buckeyes.
Photo Editor Brian Mulvey // Redshirt junior defensive back Ahmad Moten Sr. lunges at Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Miami’s offensive line was brilliant against defensive lineman Caden Curry and linebacker Arvell Reese. The two combined for 17.5 sacks in the regular season but had none against UM.
The defensive line, led by Rueben Bain Jr. and Ahkeem Mesidor, continued their prowess that they have shown all season. Against an Ohio State offensive line that allows 0.85 sacks per game, UM’s defense had five sacks and seven tackles for loss.
The Buckeyes nearly got on the board to end the half, as OSU kicker Jayden Fielding missed a 49-yarder — and the Hurricanes headed back into the tunnel after a dream first half.
But the defending national champions wouldn’t go down without a fight and came out firing coming out of the second half, ripping off back-to-back touchdown drives of more than 70 yards.
With just more than 13 minutes left in the game, all the momentum was on the red and silver side of AT&T Stadium only down three points as the Buckeyes followed up their touchdown streak with a crucial defensive stop.
After both sides were unable to score, the Hurricanes had the ball with 5:56 left, looking to end the game.
Throughout the next three minutes, Cristobal turned to Mark Fletcher Jr. and Marty Brown to finish the job — “The A-gap special.”
The duo combined for seven runs for 49 yards, including a five yard touchdown score from Brown to put the game on ice at 24-14 with just under a minute remaining.
“So, I guess to sum it up, incredibly proud of these guys,” said Cristobal. “They’re the absolute best human beings and best competitors I’ve been around.”
The Hurricanes will advance to the CFP Semifinals Fiesta Bowl game in Glendale, AZ at State Farm Stadium on Thursday, Jan. 8 and will face the winner of the Sugar Bowl between No. 3 Georgia and No. 6 Ole Miss.
Photo Editor Brian Mulvey // Redshirt sophomore running back CharMar Brown celebrates his touchdown during Miami’s victory against Ohio State University on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025.
Despite an early deficit, Miami Hurricanes Men’s basketball fought back to open up ACC play with a big win against the Pittsburgh Panthers, 76-69.
Jai Lucas and the Hurricanes (12-2), open up ACC play with a statement win, showcasing resilience in a hard-fought comeback in Watsco Center.
Miami got off to a hot start, opening the game with a 25-15 lead with Malik Reneau leading the charge. From there, though, the Hurricanes went cold, going six and a half minutes without a single point, and as the offense could not get going, Pitt’s offense started to pull away.
Pittsburgh was able to score at ease, shooting 53% from the field and nearly 42% from three in the first half. Forwards Cameron Corhen and Barry Dunning Jr. combined for 23 points with just two missed shots in the first half. With that, the Panthers were able to pull away in a 20-0 run in the half and held a double-digit lead over the ’Canes, 43-33, at halftime.
Going into the second half, several of the Hurricanes’ key starters found themselves in foul trouble. Miami’s leading scorer Malik Reneau only played 10 minutes in the first after racking up three fouls, and Tre Donaldson and Shelton Henderson notched two each.
It seemed like a hot start to the season would have been halted by a rout in the opening of conference play.
Despite the rough end to the half and the foul trouble this Hurricanes team faced, there was confidence that they could find their way back into the game.
“I knew we were struggling a little bit, but I never felt like we were out of it,” said Head Coach Jai Lucas after the game.
UM head coach Jai Lucas talks to his team during a timeout versus BYU on Nov. 27 2025. Photo Credit: University of Miami Athletics
Coach Lucas was right, as in the second half Miami started to click on both ends, led by their veteran transfers.
Out of the gate it was Miami’s guard duo that stepped up and did some damage. Tre Donaldson and Tru Washington took turns getting buckets as the two went on a 9-2 run and forced a timeout as Miami closed the gap to three. A few plays later and the Hurricanes had the lead back just about six minutes into the second half.
Dishing to teammates and creating his own shot, Donaldson led the resurgence for the Hurricanes in the second half. His early buckets got the Hurricanes going, and as the half went on, Donaldson finished with 17 second-half points, tied for the most on the team after going 0-5 in the first half. As he got going for Miami, he and this team found the confidence that they needed.
“Confidence. It’s what I do. That’s just plain and simple. I mean, my guys trust me. When they’re open, I’m going to get it for them no matter where it’s at,” said Donaldson.
Donaldson was just one part of the solution for the Hurricanes in that second half.
Defensively the Hurricanes also started to click, and the Panthers started to slow down. Miami allowed just one 3-point make on 13 attempts from Pittsburgh and held them to just 36.7% shooting in the second half.
And more so, Miami was able to stay out of foul trouble, giving up just six free throw attempts in the second half compared to 11 in the first half. This allowed Malik Reneau to play 19 of the 20 second-half minutes and dominate the game for Miami. He brought in another 17 points himself in the second half, combining with Donaldson for 34 of Miami’s 43 second-half points.
“That’s why you go find guys in the portal who’ve played big-time basketball in big environments,” said Lucas after the game.
The Panthers fought back from the Hurricanes’ second-half surge, taking the lead, and the two teams traded blows, with four lead changes in the second half alone. With seven minutes left in the game, the Hurricanes were able to make their run to truly take over the game. Following a putback layup from Reneau, Donaldson scored nine straight points for the Hurricanes, and with a six-point lead, Miami built enough cushion to run away with the game, winning the game 76-69.
It’s the first test in what will be a long road in conference play, and through the second half we saw the identity the Hurricanes need to play with to establish themselves as a potential contender for the conference.
“A big part of us is going to be our offensive rebounding. It’s always going to be our points in the paint. We did a great job tonight of free throws,” Lucas said.
“We saw that was the difference.”
Miami is going to need to play physical, effort-filled basketball and continue to win games on the boards and in the paint. The ’Canes next ACC matchup will be at Wake Forest to take on the 9-4 Demon Deacons. Tip-off is Jan. 7, at 7:00 p.m. EST.
David Lebowitz, Staff Photographer/Senior Forward Malik Reneau takes the tip-off for the Hurricanes against Elon on November 20, 2025.
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company revealed a one-of-a-kind tire sculpture of beloved UM mascot Sebastian the Ibis to celebrate the team’s appearance in the 90th Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic in Arlington, Texas on Dec. 31.
A tire statue of Brutus Buckeye, Ohio State’s mascot, will join Sebastian at AT&T Stadium on game day.
The hand-painted and clear-coated Sebastian the Ibis tire sculpture stands 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 120 pounds.
The sculpture was made using around 160 Goodyear tires, with special attention dedicated to Sebastian’s feathers, that took two full days to cut by hand. The feathers are held in by 4,000 crown staples.
It took more than 560 hours across 16 days to create the sculpture.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Goodyear’s tire art sculptures at the Cotton Bowl Classic. The sculptures represent a creative tradition and celebration that honors each team.
Both the UM and OSU Goodyear Tire mascots stand on a football field. // Photo courtesy of Goodyear Cotton Bowl.
Fans will be able to take pictures with the Sebastian the Ibis tire sculpture at AT&T Stadium on game day. After the game, the sculptures will be donated to the University for display on campus.
As for the location, each school is given two options for where their mascot sculpture could go.
Goodyear can gift the sculpture to the participating university and arrange shipping with each school’s athletic department to transport it back to campus.
In another option, Goodyear can house the sculpture in their Goodyear Vault where it can then be auctioned off. The proceeds would then be donated to a charity of the school’s choosing.
The University has not announced their plan for the Sebastian sculpture yet.
Fans can watch the Miami Hurricanes face the Ohio State Buckeyes in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at AT&T Stadium at 6:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Dec. 31.
The winner will advance to the CFP semifinal at the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
After spending decades as a perennial basketball powerhouse, the Atlantic Coast Conference hit rock bottom last year.
Heading into the 2025 NCAA Tournament, the ACC had sent a record-low four out of 18 schools (22.2%) to the 68-team field — its lowest percentage of bids in the league’s entire history. Out of those four teams, only one survived the first weekend, with Clemson, Louisville, and North Carolina falling in the first round and Duke being the sole program to advance to the Round of 32.
Last year’s dismal showing marked the first time the conference had one or fewer teams alive past the first game since the expansion of March Madness in 1975.
Fortunately, the shortcomings appear to be short-lived, and as the ACC gears up to tip off conference play on Dec. 30, its overall success over the first two months of the season have indicated it will return to its former perch as one of college basketball’s most elite leagues.
Miami is one of the reasons why.
Not even halfway through this year’s schedule, the Hurricanes (11-2) have already shattered their win total from their catastrophic 2024-25 season, when they finished with a 7-24 record, tying for the most single-season losses in the program’s lengthy history.
They are one of the many teams in the conference that have performed a complete turnaround from last year, helping to restore the ACC’s national prominence after taking a backseat to the SEC in 2025, which sent a record-breaking 14 out of its 16 member teams to the NCAA Tournament.
Under new head coach Jai Lucas, whose roster approach of assembling a sunshine syndicate of local Florida talent injected the tonal shift in culture and chemistry the group had been lacking last season, Miami was humming through November and December. In 13 non-conference games, the ‘Canes have won 11 of them, a complete turnaround under Lucas.
UM head coach Jai Lucas talks to his team during a timeout versus BYU on Nov. 27 2025. Photo Credit: University of Miami Athletics
With its only losses coming to current national champions Florida and No. 10 BYU and its offensive and defensive dominance highlighted in key statistical categories, the Hurricanes seem to be checking all the boxes of an NCAA Tournament-caliber team early on.
But the true test still awaits.
For Miami, the full picture won’t be painted until it begins conference play, which will provide the real measuring stick to determining the team’s true ceiling as to if they’ll be capable of playing into March.
As it stands, not a single team enters its ACC schedule below .500, proving just how unforgiving and cutthroat the league remains. With that in mind, here’s a comprehensive look at the juggernauts that lie ahead for Miami over its final 18 regular-season games.
The teams to watch Duke
The Duke Blue Devils are still at the top of the totem pole and will once again be the team to beat in the ACC.
Fortunately for Miami, the reigning ACC champions are the only team not on the Hurricanes’ schedule this season, meaning Jai Lucas’ reunion with his former team will have to wait another year.
The Blue Devils were by far the conference’s most successful representative last year, advancing to the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament while being led by Cooper Flagg, the generational freshman sensation who garnered ACC and National Player of the Year accolades.
Despite losing a player of his pedigree, Duke hasn’t missed a beat, sitting at 11-1 and ranked No. 6 in the country after non-conference play.
A major factor of their sustained dominance from one season to the next has been their ability to replace the irreplaceable. To the rest of college basketball’s chagrin, Duke has seamlessly transitioned from one NCAA superstar to another, swapping Flagg for Cameron Boozer.
The highly-touted freshman and Christopher Columbus High School product is picking up right where ‘The Maine Event’ left off, leading the race as the clear-cut favorite for Freshman of the Year and National Player of the Year.
Boozer has been a force on both ends of the court, profiling as one of the nation’s most complete prospects in terms of both output and skillset. The son of longtime NBA star Carlos Boozer, Cameron leads the country in scoring and has proven to be a winner at every level he’s competed.
Although not one of the flashiest players in this year’s loaded freshman class, the domineering forward entered the scene with top-three expectations and has lived up to all of the hype. If he can continue to produce at the same rate over the remainder of the season, Boozer has a legitimate path to becoming the number one overall pick in next year’s NBA draft.
The Blue Devils looked invincible through their first 11 games, going unbeaten while rolling past four elite programs in Kansas, Arkansas, Florida, and Michigan State. But they couldn’t stay undefeated through Christmas, choking a 17-point second-half lead against Texas Tech at Madison Square Garden to suffer their first loss of the season in the final tune-up before their ACC opener.
It remains to be seen if the late-game implosion was a microcosm of what’s to come down the line for Duke or if it was just an inexplicable fluke. Nevertheless, they are yet again positioned to be a national contender and the outright ACC title favorites for the second straight year.
Third-year sophomore guard Nijel Pack drives to the basket during Miami’s game against Duke University on March 10 at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex. Photo credit: Alexandra Carnochan
North Carolina
Following a tumultuous 2024/25 season that thrust North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis onto the hot seat, the Tar Heels are back to playing up to its expected level as one of college basketball’s most fabled blue blood programs.
UNC was unceremoniously bounced from the first round of March Madness nine months ago after a lackluster 23-13 regular-season record was controversially just enough to earn them a spot in the dance as the No. 11 seed.
However, it has become eminently clear that this year is a different story.
North Carolina is 12-1 and off to their best start in 17 years. The No. 12 Tar Heels have not had 11 wins in their first 12 games since they won the national championship in the 2008/09 season. Over this stretch, they’ve defeated the likes of Kansas, Kentucky, and Ohio State, each of which were ranked within the preseason top 30.
While Cameron Boozer continues to be one of the best players in the country and projects as a top-3 draft pick, the gap between him and UNC’s five star freshman Caleb Wilson is not as wide as one might think.
The 6’10, 216 pound forward leads the Tar Heels in points and has registered an ACC-best 11 rebounds per game. He has also recorded nine games with more than 20 points, the most by any freshman in the country. Based on his performances up to this point, Wilson could easily challenge Boozer as the top first-year player across all leagues as the season progresses.
Last season’s adversity clearly lit a fire under Davis and North Carolina, and the group is playing with a new sense of energy and urgency because of it. The Tar Heels are more dangerous than ever, and they are rapidly emerging as a team that no other ACC school will want to play against over the ensuing months.
Fourth-year junior forward Norchad Omier goes up for a shot in the second half of Miami’s game versus the University of North Carolina in the Watsco Center on Feb. 10, 2024. Photo credit: Jared Lennon
Louisville
If Duke and North Carolina are the traditional blue bloods that have long reigned at the top of the ACC, the Louisville Cardinals are the new kids on the block looking to disrupt the natural balance of power.
Second-year head coach Pat Kelsey has transformed Louisville from rags to riches, going from an ACC-worst 8-24 in 2023-24 to challenging for the conference title with a 27-8 overall record last year in his first season at the helm.
Entering ACC play, the No. 16 Cardinals are 10-2 with ranked wins against Kentucky and Indiana.
Elite freshman guard Mikel Brown Jr. and transfer portal acquisitions Ryan Conwell and Isaac McKneely have led the charge over this 12-game span.
Kelsey and his squad will look to take the next big leap for the program and capture their first ever conference regular season or tournament title in school history.
As for The Big Dance, Louisville will aim to seek its first tournament win since 2017 after a first-round exit left a sour note on an otherwise resoundingly successful 2024/25 season.
Fourth-year junior guard Harold Beverly dunks on Louisville in the second half of Miami’s game against the Cardinals in the Watsco Center on Saturday, Feb. 11. Photo credit: Sam Peene
Virginia
It’s a new era in Charlottesville, and year one of the Ryan Odom regime is off to a promising start.
Virginia was thrown into turmoil in its 2024/25 campaign, stumbling to a losing record after the sudden retirement of legendary head coach Tony Bennett just a week before the season began.
For his replacement, the Cavaliers turned to former UMBC coach Ryan Odom, the man responsible for the first 16-over-1 upset in NCAA Tournament history, stunning top-seeded UVA and forever etching his name into March Madness lore and Virginia infamy.
That is, until the school hired him on March 21.
Through the first two months, the Hoos have found lightning in a bottle on the scoring end, leading the ACC in three-point shooting and ranking third in field goal percentage.
Much of Odom’s first-year success can be attributed to Virginia’s influx of talent over the offseason. The Cavaliers added key contributors in Malik Thomas, Dallin Hall, and Jacarri White by way of the transfer portal along with true freshman standouts Chance Mallory and Johann Grünloh to the rotation, amplifying their offensive firepower.
But possibly their biggest impact player this season has been Thijs De Ridder, the star freshman forward from Belgium who leads the team in scoring. De Ridder headlines the latest wave of international players to make the jump from professional leagues overseas to the collegiate ranks of NCAA Division I basketball in America.
Standing at 11-1 before their first conference clash against in-state rivals Virginia Tech, No. 21 Virginia will look to build on their early momentum in the hopes of punching their ticket to the NCAA Tournament in March.
Miami will begin ACC play on Tuesday, Dec. 30 against the Pitt Panthers (7-6). Tipoff at the Watsco Center is set for 7 p.m. and will air on the ACC Network.
David Lebowitz, Staff Photographer/Senior Guard Tre Donaldson races toward a loose ball against Elon on November 20, 2025.
A24’s “Eternity” is one of the best movies I have seen this year. The visuals, cast and writing masterfully tell a story about love after death. We follow Joan, played by Elizabeth Olsen, who dies and has to make a difficult choice in the afterline. Who should she spend eternity with, her first or second husband?
It’s a love triangle that keeps you watching. The movie keeps guessing about how it is going to end and wraps up in a very satisfying finale.
It starts with Larry and Joan in their 80s driving to their daughter’s gender reveal party. While at the party, Larry, played by Miles Teller, dies and enters this train station in the afterlife as a younger version of himself.
One week later, Joan dies of terminal cancer and finds herself in a much younger body of hers and in this train station as well. Larry finds Joan and just as he’s about to tell her where to spend eternity with him, Luke, Joan’s second husband played by Callum Turner, arrives.
As a classic love triangle story, both of the guys try to win Joan and show her the reasons why they are the one she should pick to spend an eternity with. Once you choose an eternity, you can’t leave it.
The message really shows that the beauty in life is that many things come to an end, and that love is more than just happiness.
It deals a lot with themes of what perfection is or what a perfect couple is.Miles Teller and Callum Turner played perfect opposites and delivered hilarious performances.
Da’Vine Joy Randolph and John Early Ryan play afterlife coordinators and deliver nothing more than iconic supporting roles.
Elizabeth Olsen’s portrayal of Joan made you understand why it was such a difficult choice. She delivered on bringing a character full of joy and love.
The way Elizabeth Olsen delivered many of the lines in the movie really stuck with me. The performances of the cast made this movie feel very human, and it helps you understand why people make the decisions they do.
“Eternity” is a beautiful and great movie. You resonate with the characters and understand the heart of their emotions and actions.
Joseph Torres graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in musical theatre in 2022. Nearly four years later, he’s back in town with a lead role in the national tour of Broadway’s “&Juliet.”
He plays Romeo in the dazzling show at the Adrienne Arsht Center from Dec. 30 to Jan. 4, 2026
Though Torres credits much of his post-college success to his time at the U, when he first auditioned for collegiate musical theatre programs, UM wasn’t on his list.
“My teacher didn’t think I was good enough to get in,” Torres said, adding that UM was always, “kind of a dream school.”
On a whim, he attended a walk-in audition at New York City Unifieds — a centralized college audition conference where prospective students audition for several schools in one place.
He performed and workshopped his repertoire with several UM faculty members, and eventually was offered admission backed by a large scholarship. The rest was history.
At the start of his time at UM, Torres felt he wasn’t the strongest singer. Individualized attention from professors such as David Williams and Anjane Girwarr helped him reach new heights as a performer.
“The teachers there are just really invested in each individual, and not just, like, getting a product,” Torres said. “They really emphasized the importance of growing as people as well as performers, because it goes hand in hand being an artist. Like, the more life you experience, the more stories you can tell.”
Inmost semesters, he had 20 credit hours while performing such demanding roles as Neville Landless in “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” and The Emcee in “Cabaret.”
It prepared him for what came after graduation — a never-ending circle of auditions, rehearsals and performances, all while balancing several side jobs.
Torres later booked a 10-month cruise contract with RWS. On board, he performed as a lead vocalist 18 times weekly. Between performances, he filmed and submitted several self-tapes, which led to his first post-cruise role as Aaron Samuels in the “Mean Girls” national tour.
He spent the following two years balancing jobs in restaurant service, catering and social media, all while attending more than 170 auditions during his time off.
While working a lunch rush, he checked his phone to find several missed calls from his agent. He’d booked the role he’d long coveted as Romeo in the “&Juliet” national tour.
“&Juliet” takes William Shakespeare’s classic tale for a modern-day spin. Complete with a drop-dead hilarious script and a score of iconic pop hits such as Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone” and Katy Perry’s “Roar,” the musical seeks to answer the question: What might life have looked like for Juliet after Romeo?
“I think what’s super important with this show is it really analyzes what Juliet could have been if choices weren’t made for her,” Torres said. “I think it’s amazing to see what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo.”
Throughout rehearsals, Torres often found himself in awe of the company which surrounded him. He plays opposite 2025 Jimmy Awards winner Fabiola Caraballo Quijada, along with several actors he’d seen perform on Broadway and at the Tony Awards.
“[These actors] just seemed so far away from me for so long,” Torres said. “[I thought to myself], ‘I’ve worked really hard to get here, and this feels so rewarding and exciting.’”
Miami has always been a special place for Torres. Getting to celebrate this major milestone of his theatrical career in the place where he was born and honed his craft feels “very full circle” for Torres.
“I’m sure it’s going to feel so surreal when I’m actually down there, and I’m in the Grove for breakfast and then doing my show there at night,” Torres said. “It’ll be a nice reunion of sorts with a place that I love.”
Torres remains grateful for the foundation that UM’s theatre program provided him. He recently led current students through a Q&A and masterclass, promising to “always give back to UM.”
To current and future ‘Canes aspiring to enter the theatre industry, Torres’ advice is simple:
“Soak up every second,” Torres said. “You’re going to an amazing school with so many people from so many places, and you’re getting to study something you were begging to, you know? So take advantage of the amazing professors that we have.” Support Torres and the star-studded cast of “&Juliet” at the Adrienne Arsht Center this winter. The production runs from Dec. 30, 2025 to Jan. 4, 2026.
Following Miami’s gritty 10–3 win over No. 7 Texas A&M on Dec. 20, a victory encapsulated by a game-sealing interception from freshman defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald, the Hurricanes earned a spot in the 90th edition of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic in Dallas, Texas.
Miami is set to face defending national champions No. 2 Ohio State, a program it has history against. The two teams have met five times, with only four officially counting in the record books. In 2010, Ohio State’s 36-24 win was vacated after a “Tattoogate” scandal that involved players trading memorabilia for tattoos.
Going back to the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, with the game tied 24–24 in overtime, Miami was called for a late and controversial defensive pass interference in the end zone that ultimately cost the Hurricanes a chance at back-to-back National Championships.
The series is tied at two, as UM won 24-6 in 2011 at home.
The Buckeyes are coming off a 12-1 season, with their lone loss coming in the Big Ten championship against No.1 Indiana.
Ohio State is led by sophomore wideout and South Florida product Jeremiah Smith, who is one of the best receivers in the country. In 12 games this season, Smith has 80 receptions for 1086 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns. 2025 marks his second straight season with over 1,000 receiving yards.
“He’s [Jeremiah Smith] an NFL prototype right now,” Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said. “He and their entire receiving corps create separation, beat coverage, block in the run game, and play hard.”
Smith is paired with another talented wideout in Carnell Tate, who has 48 receptions for 838 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on the season.
The Buckeyes also feature freshman running back Lamar “Bo” Jackson, who has rushed for over 1,000 yards this season.
David Lebowitz, Staff Photographer/Redshirt Senior Jakobe Thomas reaches toward the Syracuse quarterback after beating his blocker on November 8, 2025.
Throwing Smith and Tate the ball is Heisman finalist quarterback Julian Sayin, who is having an unbelievable season as a first-year starter.
Through 13 games, Sayin has 3323 passing yards and 31 touchdown passes. He has led the nation all season in completion percentage (78.4%) and passing efficiency (182.05), with his completion rate surpassing the all-time NCAA record of 77.4% set by Oregon’s Bo Nix in 2023.
Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman understands the challenge it will be for the Hurricanes to contain Smith and Tate.
“They’re as talented as anyone in the country on the perimeter and any play could be explosive,” Hetherman said. “So we’ve got to do a good job of playing one play at a time. Our guys got to be physical at the point of attack. We have to be really disciplined with our eyes.”
In its lone loss of the season, the Ohio State offensive line crumbled. Sayin was sacked five times and the Hoosier defense tallied a season-worst nine tackles for loss.
Looking back at Miami’s last game against the Aggies, the Hurricanes sacked Marcel Reed seven times. Reed is more elusive with his legs than Sayin, so if Ohio State’s pass protection against Miami resembles what it showed in its last game against Indiana, it could be a long night for the Buckeyes.
Defensive ends Akheem Mesidor and Rueben Bain Jr. will have to step up in similar fashion as their game against Texas A&M. Against the Aggies, Bain and Mesidor combined for 4.5 sacks, 10 tackles, and one blocked field goal.
Photo Editor Brian Mulvey // Junior defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. rushes the passer against Louisville on Oct. 17, 2025
Guarding Smith and Tate will most certainly be a challenge but Miami has shown it can hold its own against stellar receivers. Against Texas A&M’s Mario Craver and KC Concepcion, Miami was able to hold each receiver to under 100 yards. Concepcion, an AP All-American All-Purpose player, was held to a season-low 33 yards against the UM secondary.
Defensive backs Keionte Scott and Jakobe Thomas will need to carry the momentum. Fitzgerald’s two interceptions allowed him to become just the 10th Hurricane to have six interceptions in a season over 50 years.
On the offensive side of the ball for Miami, sixth-year redshirt senior quarterback Carson Beck did not have his best performance, completing 14-of-20 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. It was a windy day in College Station, which may have played a role, but Beck will need to be sharper against a stout Ohio State defense..
The relationship between Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson and Beck has been key to getting on the same page and winning these big games.
“He says something and you watch it on the iPad, I mean, he’s typically spot-on. And so there’s things that I don’t see in the course of calling it that I watch the iPad, and he’s typically pretty spot on in those situations”, Dawson said. “And everybody keeps a level head and a very calm demeanor, which is key in those type of games when it’s real tight. And look, one mistake can cost you a game. So I thought his input was awesome.”
The Buckeyes defense is one of the best in college football, ranking first in categories such as points per game allowed (8.2) and pass yards per game (129.1). They rank fifth in rush yards per game with 84.5.
Junior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. is coming off a season-best 172 rushing yards, averaging 10.1 yards a carry against Texas A&M. Fletcher put the team on his back against the Aggies, and if Beck isn’t playing his best ball, the junior running back might have to carry the load once again.
UM Junior Running back Mark Fletcher Jr. breaks through the Texas A&M defense on Dec. 20. // Jake Sperling.
Last game, the offense line did a phenomenal job on limiting pressure from star Aggie defensive end Cashius Howell, holding him to just two total tackles.
This week, the Hurricanes will take on a new challenge of stopping senior defensive end Caden Curry and junior linebacker Arvell Reese. Curry is seventh in college football in sacks, with 11, while Reese had 6.5 sacks on his own. Reese is considered one of the best players in all of college football, often being projected as the first defensive player drafted in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Posing a threat in the secondary, is safety Caleb Downs. The junior has 40 tackles and two interceptions on the season but also is a threat to the quarterback when Ohio State runs the blitz.
“I feel that this team, in terms of challenges and throwing difficult scenarios and situations at them, is when I think we’re our best.,” Cristobal said.
Kickoff at AT&T Stadium, in Arlington, Texas, is set for New Year’s Eve at 7:30 p.m. EST and will air on ESPN.
Miami women’s basketball closed its non-conference slate with a convincing 77-45 win over Stetson on Sunday afternoon.
The Hurricanes extended their winning streak to three games and improved to 9-4 overall and 1-1 in ACC play, using the matchup as a final tune-up before returning to ACC conference action.
Miami opened the game with early energy as Ahnay Adams scored back-to-back layups to start the first quarter. Stetson briefly responded and took an early lead, but Miami never fell behind more than four points and closed the quarter tied at 13-13.
The Hurricanes in the second quarter capitalized on Stetson turnovers to build a 20-16 lead. Miami closed the first half on a 12-2 scoring run to take a 34-23 advantage into halftime. The Hurricanes shot 42% from field goal and 40% from beyond the arc in the opening half.
Photo Credit: @CanesWBB via IG // Miami guard Ra Shaya Kyle goes up for a shot over a Stetson defender on Dec. 28 at the Watsco Center.
Miami’s defense set the tone in the third quarter, holding Stetson to just three points for the first five minutes. The Canes’ recorded four assists and nine rebounds, while shooting 50% from the field. Miami pushed its lead to 20 for the first time at 48-28 with 3:27 remaining in the third quarter and extended the margin to 55-31 by the end of the period.
Miami maintained its momentum in the fourth quarter and comfortably closed out the win.
Four Hurricanes scored double figures. Gal Raviv and Ra Shaya Kyle led Miami with both 14 points apiece, Amarachi Kimpson and Ahnay Adams had 13 points.
Despite shooting just 23% from the three point range and 48% overall, Miami made its impact on the defensive end. The Hurricanes finished with 41 rebounds and 13 steals while committing only eight turnovers, an area that has been a point of emphasis this season.
Miami returns to play on January 1st when it opens ACC road play against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia.
