Join Pablo Montekio as he breaks down a huge week in Miami sports! From volleyball’s emphatic back-to-back sweeps and UCF win to a 45–3 football rout of Bethune-Cookman, the Canes are on fire across the board. Pablo previews a packed slate ahead, including volleyball’s road trip, soccer’s doubleheader, and a tough football clash with USF. Plus, hear early thoughts on the newly released ACC basketball schedule and the must-watch matchups this winter.
BREAKING: Conservative activist Charlie Kirk dies in shooting
BREAKING NEWS: Prominent conservative activist and Trump ally, Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed at a Utah university.
This is a developing story. Last Updated 9/11/2025 at 3:45 pm
Survival guide for the 305 dating scene
In this special opinion piece for Eye of the Hurricane, Andrea gives advice on whom to avoid dating in Miami.
Opinions do not reflect the opinion of The Miami Hurricane.
How UM can start their ACC soccer season on the front foot against Wake Forest
The Miami Hurricanes women’s soccer team face a difficult challenge as they open their ACC season against No. 17 Wake Forest University this Wednesday. Therefore, planning around the Demon Deacons’ strengths and weaknesses is crucial in snatching a result at Spry Stadium.
Wake Forest’s clearest strength is on the flanks as their wide pairings in Tony da Luz’s 4-2-3-1 have been the main outlets of danger this season. Sierra Sythe, though a natural winger, has been deployed at left-back this season. Her natural attacking mentality brings a great source of on-running danger. Additionally, her ball-striking stands out amongst her peers, demonstrated by her ‘Olimpico’ against USF. She is dynamic, two-footed, and very competent defensively.
On the other wing, freshman Kylie Maxwell has been a revelation for Wake Forest’s offense this campaign. Maxwell was named Gatorade’s 2025 Pennsylvania Player of the Year and was selected for the USA U19 Women’s National Team last fall. She netted 38 goals and 15 assists in just 21 appearances her senior year. She instinctively finds the ball in the box, runs through the channels intelligently, and always has her head up, allowing her to create for her teammates and herself.
Wake Forest’s keeper, Valentina Amaral, is exceptionally strong and assertive in her penalty area, repeatedly preventing chances through claiming crosses. Furthermore, her reliable shot-stopping consistently bails Wake Forest out when they make defensive mistakes.
However, Wake Forest lacks diligence in the midfield as their double pivot often leave runners free in between the lines. Even in dominant possessional showings against LSU and Villanova, the opposition had numerous instances of freedom in the middle of the park that should have been capitalized on. The UM firepower of Eabha O’Mahony, Ciara Alarcon, and Teegan Melenhorst should be able to exploit this weakness, and hopefully Brie Severns can convert this momentum into goals through the clinicality she has shown this season.
Centrally overloading and progressing will give Miami a numerical and qualitative superiority, platforming them to create high-quality chances through the coveted zone 14. This onus on central play is only added to by Wake Forest’s strength out wide and their goalie’s cross-claiming ability. Wingplay would lead to more crosses, which are likely to be retrieved by Amaral, and would leave gaps out wide for Sythe, Flanagan, Miller, and Maxwell to exploit.
A possible Hurricane lineup could look like:
Defense – #0 Bredel, #14 Maxwell, #4 Morella, #2 Simpson, and #25 Kaye
Midfield – #13 Nicholson, #8 Alarcon, and #10 O’Mahony
Forwards – #12 Melenhorst at left-wing, #22 Severns up top, and #23 Inaba on the right.
The idea is for Nicholson to anchor the midfield, Alarcon and O’Mahony to play between the lines, and Melenhorst to move from out-wide into the channels, creating an overload.
Though, regardless of the setup, tonight’s fixture will be an exciting one, and the ’Canes have a much higher chance of winning than their current RPI suggests. There is more than enough in the balance for Miami to pick up some points, with the team having their best opening seven games since 2011.
REVIEW: ‘Man’s Best Friend’ is my emotional support album
Sabrina Carpenter is back with her seventh album, “Man’s Best Friend” almost exactly a year after the success of “Short n’ Sweet” in August 2024. The album builds on the cheekiness she’s developed throughout her music career. This time she’s pushing the limits with sharper humor and theatrics.
“Man’s Best Friend” was co-written and co-produced by Carpenter alongside influential songwriter and record producer Jack Antonoff. Antonoff is famous for his collaborations with major artists notably Taylor Swift for her albums “1989,” “Folklore” and “Midnights.”
Carpenter working with him shows her credibility as an artist and transformation from rising star to a mainstream artist.
“Man’s Best Friend” debuted as No. 1 in the U.S. Billboard 200, making it her second chart-topping album. The lead single “Manchild” hit No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 and dominated the charts in Ireland and the UK.
Pitchfork applauded the album saying it delivered, “formally classic, facepalm-clever pop songs with a heavy wink, Sabrina Carpenter’s new album takes her persona to its apex, and maybe as far as it can go.”
The album blends pop with undertones of country, rock, and R&B. It’s a run-through of captivating and refreshingly unpredictable songs.
A country song on the hit pop album,“Nobody’s Son,” uses acoustic guitar and piano to tell a story about heartbreak, focusing on giving up on love though longing for a connection.
Her disco song,“My Man on Willpower,” one of the most popular songs from the album, plays around with the theme of ego and temptation, poking fun at man’s inflated pride stemming from showiness rather than substance.
Speaking as a Carpenter, I’ve been eager for this album to be released and as per usual Sabrina did not disappoint. “Man’s Best Friend” has been all I’ve listened to for the past week.
The blend of songs across genres along with her iconic witty voice made for the best pop album since “Short n’ Sweet.” The full spectrum of emotions is displayed from crying to smiling to smiling through the pain.
“Man’s Best Friend” is another testament to Sabrina Carpenter’s wit and talent, proving she’s not only chasing stardom but adding to her growing pop resume.
The show-stopping performances from the 2025 VMAs
The 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, hosted by LL Cool J at UBS Arena in Long Island, NY, was far more than a star-studded awards ceremony—it was an electrifying musical showcase filled with nostalgia, cultural statements and unforgettable moments.
Here’s a breakdown of the best performances that lit up the night:
Doja Cat
Doja Cat kicked things off with the live debut of her new single “Jealous Type”, styled with an ’80s vibe. The set was full of bright colors, dancers in retro clothes and even a surprise sax solo from Kenny G. Her upbeat throwback energy set the tone for the night.
Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter turned her stage into a mix of protest and pop with “Tears.” Featuring drag artists, fiery choreography and signs reading “Protect Trans Rights,” her performance blended activism with entertainment. It felt bold, emotional and in line with the VMAs’ history of making statements.
Mariah Carey
Making her first VMA appearance in 20 years, Mariah Carey started her medley with “Sugar Sweet” in a giant feathered robe, then revealed a glittery gold romper covered in rhinestones. She sang classics like “Heartbreaker” and “We Belong Together.”
Her performance had many mixed reviews on social media, some felt it didn’t quite hit the mark, but her confidence and presence reminded everyone why she’s an icon.
Lady Gaga
Even though she wasn’t there in person, Lady Gaga still brought drama with a pre-recorded performance from Madison Square Garden. She sang “Abracadabra” and “The Dead Dance” with dark, ballroom-inspired visuals and haunting choreography. It was easily one of the most eye-catching moments of the night.
Ozzy Osbourne Tribute
One of the most moving parts of the show was the tribute to the late Ozzy Osbourne. Steven Tyler, Joe Perry, Yungblud and Nuno Bettencourt teamed up for a medley of “Crazy Train,” “Changes,” and “Mama, I’m Coming Home.” Introduced by Osbourne’s son and granddaughters, the tribute connected generations of rock fans and got one of the biggest ovations of the night.
Other Highlights
Alex Warren, fresh off winning Best New Artist, gave an emotional debut with “Eternity” and “Ordinary.” Ricky Martin kept the energy high with a medley of his Latin hits while accepting the Latin Icon Award.
Busta Rhymes brought a high-octane set that earned him the Rock the Bells Visionary Award and included a shoutout to LL Cool J and VJ Ananda Lewis. Rounding out the night were standout performances from Tate McRae, Post Malone and Jelly Roll (pre-taped), J Balvin with DJ Snake, Justin Quiles, Lenny Tavárez, Sombr, and Conan Gray, each adding their own flavor to the show.
The 2025 VMAs delivered a mix of fun, emotion and star power. From Sabrina Carpenter’s bold message to Mariah Carey’s glittering return, and Lady Gaga’s eerie visuals to Ozzy’s heartfelt tribute, the night showed just how wide the range of music and performances can be. The show proved again that the VMAs are still one of music’s biggest stages.
REVIEW: “The Conjuring: Last Rites” is the perfect end to a perfect series
“The Conjuring” series comes to a close with a heartwarming spotlight on the Warren family. The movie showcases the story of why the Warrens left their careers investigating paranormal cases behind.
The movie takes watchers back to the early stage of Ed and Lorraine’s work together and the birth of their child. One of their first cases had a significant impact on how they would continue to run their investigations.
Upon working with a haunted mirror in a vintage shop, Ed and Lorraine nearly lose their unborn daughter. Years later, thinking they left it all behind, the Warrens are shocked to hear the story of a family in Pennsylvania. Will they have to step back into the paranormal world to save both families?
“Last Rites” has become an instant success- bringing in $194 million dollars in revenue globally. These numbers are the highest of any horror movie debut ever according to Deadline. Critics, such as Deadline’s Gregory Nussen, agree about its high quality cinematography, plot lines, and acting. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson show off their horror acting chops alongside a great performance by rising stars Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy.
Its success was expected. The movie was made tastefully, with just the right amount of jumpscares and thrills accompanying an interesting and creative storyline. Flashbacks are transitioned clearly from scene to scene for the audience to follow.
For former “The Conjuring” universe fans, there are many references to other movies such as “Annabelle” and “The Nun.” The film also exceeds expectations by providing an original, intense plot. Moviegoers frustrated with the era of movie remakes and reprises should not shut out this amazing film.
“The Conjuring: The Last Rights” is a masterclass on how to wrap up a popular, established franchise. Horror junkies must see it.
Rating: 5/5
Miami golf finishes 14th in Cougar Classic
Miami Hurricanes golf looked to get their season started on the right track in Charleston, South Carolina, as they took on the Cougar Invitational. The team finished 14th, taking home a few solid performances from the weekend.
Miami’s best individual performance came from Flagler transfer Stella Jelinek. The senior, after opening rough with a four-over-par first round, shot one-under and two-under in her next two rounds to end the weekend just one over par. Jelinek was particularly strong on par holes, where she was tied for the fifth-best average in a competition featuring over 90 players.
Four other Hurricanes from Miami participated in the event, with a range of results. Junior Rebekah Gardner placed 42nd at four-over and had a really strong first round going two-under par. Gardner ranked in the top-10 on par five holes, She was followed by Baylor transfer junior Ashleen Kaur, who finished 52nd at six-over; sophomore Cloe Amion Villarino shot a two-over 73 in the final round to finish 75th at 11-over, and senior Katie Carman finished 96th at 29-over.
Coming off a season where they finished 53rd in the nation at the end of the year, Miami hoped to compete in a tournament where they were surrounded by the top talent they were looking to surpass. Though this weekend wasn’t a big statement, it’s a start that Miami can build on moving forward. Their next action is the Golfweek Red Sky Classic in Colorado from September 22 to 24.
A heavenly night with Kali Uchis
Kali Uchis shined at the Kaseya center as she embodied grace, beauty, and elegance on Sep. 5. The arena was a sea of pink and flowers, girls of all ages dressed like they were attending a dreamlike ceremony.
She descended onto the stage on a swing like an angel floating down to earth. One moment she was the bride, an embodiment of purity, the next she pulled out a gun, blurring innocence with defiance.
The show started off slow, full of dreamy ballads from her latest album “Sincerely.” The build up felt like whispered secrets, but the show quickly picked up into a pace that no one could resist. Her set moved like a slow burn, her vocals soared effortlessly, making every note feel sensual.
The stage was simple and showed how the talented production team knew when to hold back the tactics to let Uchis shine. Kali Uchis is the main attraction alongside her production crew that knew exactly how to frame her presence and highlight her abilities on stage.
Everyone there came to hear her voice and see her and they got more than that. She has a way of using her eyes to captivate the entire crowd into submission with just one wink, one single movement or any word. This was essential to distract from the subpar dance choreography.
The crowd stayed locked in her spell until a video tribute to Latino culture and heritage lit up the screens. When it faded, she stormed back onto the stage in a black corset and tube skirt, snapping the night into high gear with “Muñekita.”
The energy shifted instantly. Every subtle move—every glance, touch or flick of her hand—sent the crowd roaring. The atmosphere was ethereal, but when she threw on “Dame Beso // Muévete” the whole arena was dancing.
Then, just as easily, she stripped it all back and we were left with just her. For a few moments, she gave the crowd nothing but her voice, and it was enough. The intimacy of songs like “telepatía” and “fue mejor” hit harder than the spectacle, grounding the night in something deeply human.
The finale was as carefully staged as it was unforgettable. Before disappearing through a pink door at the center of the stage, she paused, glanced back and delivered a wink that froze time.
It could have ended there, but the crowd’s energy pulled her back out for an encore of “Miami” that wasn’t on the setlist. She signed autographs and talked with the audience. Once she walked off the stage, fans were still in awe of the woman who had just brought grace, elegance, and sensuality to life. For old and new Kali Uchis fans, this was an unforgettable concert you wouldn’t want to miss.
No. 5 Miami gets set for a clash against No.18 USF
As the No. 5 Miami Hurricanes cruised to a 45-3 win against Bethune-Cookman, they now turn to an unexpected heavyweight matchup against No. 18 South Florida.
The Hurricanes (2-0, 0-0 ACC) and Bulls collided last year at USF’s home field, Raymond James Stadium. In what was a competitive first half, Miami pulled away in the last 30 minutes of the game. The Hurricanes soundly defeated the Bulls by a score of 50-15.
A lot has changed on both sidelines since then. The Bulls are more physical than ever and looking to knock the wind out of the Hurricanes.
Under third-year head coach Alex Golesh, USF (2-0, 0-0 American) has gotten off to an incredible start. The Bulls defeated No. 25 Boise State in Week 1 on Saturday took down No. 13 Florida on a game-winning field goal as time expired. USF made history, marking only the third unranked team since 2000 to start 2-0 by beating two ranked opponents.
“They [USF] are playing as good football as anyone in the country,” head coach Mario Cristobal said. “Playing at a high level, really explosive football team.”
USF’s senior quarterback, Byrum Brown, has been dominant to start the season. In last week’s win against Florida, Brown threw for 263 yards, one touchdown, and completed 23 of his 36 passing attempts. He has a solid arm, but his mobility is unmatched. Brown can dance out of the pocket, evade tackles, and cut up the defense with his legs. He tallied 66 rushing yards, including a long 20-yard run. The dual-threat QB already has 109 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
“Hard to contain, hard to bring down. He contains the best of both worlds for a modern-day college quarterback,” Cristobal said.
Defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman added, “[We have to] take the quarterback run game away this week.”
Explosivity is a common theme on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball for USF. Junior wideout Kehshaun Singleton hauled in a 66-yard touchdown grab, with two defenders in coverage against Florida. Late in the game, down 16-15, sophomore running back Alvon Issac came up big on a dump-off pass from Brown, breaking tackles for a crucial 35-yard gain.
Defensively, the Bulls are capable of getting to the quarterback and stopping plays in the backfield.
In the process of a 45-3 rout of Bethune-Cookman, sixth-year redshirt senior quarterback Carson Beck made history. He broke the Miami record of consecutive completions with 15. Vinny Testervede previously held the record for 39 years with 14 completions. The Georgia transfer finished the game going 22-of-24 passing for 267 yards and two touchdowns.
Sixth-year redshirt senior wideout CJ Daniels has been a highlight reel in his first two games as a Hurricane, catching both of Beck’s touchdown passes. Daniels ended the game with 73 yards on five receptions.
Freshman wideout Malachi Toney also excelled, hauling in six catches for 80 yards. The South Florida native showed off his speed and agility by breaking tackles all night long.
It will be key for the pass game to keep on clicking but also for the running back room consisting of Mark Fletcher Jr, Jordan Lyle, and CharMar “Marty” Brown to continue their hard-nose style of running.
Despite the defense only giving up three points, the level of play dropped slightly after the first two drives. Bethune-Cookman managed to get down the field a few extra times than they really should have.
While Miami was able to use some of their depth late into the game thanks to the big lead, this week’s game will fare differently.
After being banged up the past few weeks, it seems more than likely that sophomore wideout Joshisa Trader and running back Jordan Lyle will be good to go for this week’s matchup. It was announced that freshman and former five-star recruit Hayden Lowe will be out for the season with an injury.
Just like the Notre Dame game, this matchup will come down to the defense. Both teams have explosivity on the offensive side of the ball, but it will be the defense that must prevail to make the necessary stop.
This game is shaping up to be one of the biggest matchups in week three, and starts the stretch of three straight games of playing in-state FBS opponents for Miami.
“They’re as meaningful as you can imagine. Anytime you play in-state, they are rivalry games,” Cristobal said.
This enticing matchup is set to kick off at 4:30 p.m. at Hard Rock Stadium this Saturday. The game will air on The CW.
UM switching from Blackboard to Canvas by fall 2026
The University of Miami Learning Platforms department has announced they are switching from Blackboard Learn to Canvas beginning fall 2026.
“The University of Miami is pleased to announce the transition to Canvas as our next-generation learning management system,” said UM’s Office of the Provost. “[Student and faculty] insights informed faculty governance’s vote in favor of Canvas, recognizing its ability to better support the University’s evolving academic needs.”
UM’s Information Technology department began a pilot program in Fall 2024, selecting 30 instructors to teach courses on Canvas. Beginning fall 2025, UM allowed professors to choose between Blackboard and Canvas for their course material. The lack of an official announcement left students uncertain about whether a full transition would happen.
Following evaluation, the University found that Canvas satisfied the academic needs of students and staff, joining over 4,000 universities, school districts and institutions who use the platform.
UM students are divided on this change.
Betsy Zales, a junior, said that she welcomes the transition.
“I prefer Canvas,” the junior said. “I used it in high school and currently have a class that has already transitioned. It is much easier to use and makes organizing classwork simple.”
Bernie Kaup, another junior, feels that switching to a new LMS is unnecessary.
“I’ve been using Blackboard since my freshman year, and I just find it more straightforward,” said Kaup. “Canvas feels cluttered to me, and switching between the two platforms this semester has been frustrating. I wish the University would stick with Blackboard.”
For more information about Canvas support and information about the transition, visit the University of Miami Information Technology Department website.
Florida announces intention to end vaccine requirements
Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo announced Wednesday during a press conference that they intend to make Florida the first state to end all vaccine requirements, including for K-12 public schools.
“Who am I to tell you what your child should put into their body? I don’t have that right. Your body is a gift from God,” Ladapo said during the conference. “[The] government does not have that right, even though they want you to believe they do.”
Following thunderous applause, Ladapo explained that vaccine mandates are wrong and every one “drips with disdain and slavery.”
As a private University, UM adopts its own vaccine policies, which require new students to show proof of vaccination against certain preventable diseases. The University may choose to maintain, modify or even drop vaccine requirements independently of state policies.
Ro Pelaez, a sophomore at UM and graduate of Miami Senior High School is concerned about public safety around Miami.
“While I highly regard individual liberties, I still hold collective safety and security as most important. The lack of vaccine mandate would contradict that,” she said.
Florida school immunization requirements currently include polio, measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox and varicella – diseases that have been largely eliminated in the U.S. because of vaccine development and campaigns. According to the World Health Organization, vaccines prevent 3.5 million to 5 million deaths every year.
Skepticism of vaccines is at an all-time high following the rapid rollout of the Covid-19 vaccine. While anti-vaccine activists and political figures like Ladapo argue for bodily autonomy, the US Supreme Court allowed cities to require residents to be vaccinated in Jacobson v Massachusetts in 1905.
Dr. Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, trustee for the American Medical Association, said in a statement that the AMA strongly opposes the plan to end vaccine mandates.
“This unprecedented rollback would undermine decades of public health progress and place children and communities at increased risk for diseases such as measles, mumps, polio and chickenpox resulting in serious illness, disability, and even death,” said Fryhofer. “While there is still time, we urge Florida to reconsider this change to help prevent a rise of infectious disease outbreaks that put health and lives at risk.”
Despite being largely eliminated, measles cases in Florida reappeared this summer. Florida has one of the lowest measles vaccination rates in the country at 88.1%. According to the CDC, 95% of the population must be vaccinated to reach herd immunity, which not only lowers the incidence of infection but protects vulnerable people who cannot be vaccinated.
Heather Rodriguez,a registered nurse and law teacher at South Dade Senior High School, says that her experiences with students and patients underscore her position of supporting vaccines.
“Every time we’re starting back at school or coming back from a break after summer or holidays we inevitably have a lot of people that are already sick,” she said. “A lot of [preventable] diseases, we don’t see for a reason. I would like to keep it that way.”
Rodriguez agrees that getting vaccinated to ultimately provide herd immunity is the best option.
“You have the choice. You can take it or not but getting vaccinated helps other people,” she said. “We’ve eradicated these horrible, horrible illnesses and they need to stay that way.”
The University of Miami did not respond to multiple requests for comment.