It was all about the defence as the University of Miami Hurricanes secured a 10-3 victory over the Texas A&M Aggies in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday, and Canadian pass rusher Akheem Mesidor played a major role in that.
The native of Ottawa, Ont., was a consistent force off the edge throughout the game, racking up five total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. On 38 pass rush snaps, he was credited with 10.5 pressures, creating opportunities for other members of the defence as they finished with seven total sacks.
“You’ve got to affect the quarterback. For us, D-line-wise, it’s affect the quarterback,” Mesidor said post-game. “We talk within each other. If I like a matchup, I’ll tell Rueben (Bain Jr.), ‘Let me get this side.’ Or if he likes a matchup, he’ll tell me, ‘Let me get it.’ Or I’ll talk to Mondo (Blount), ‘Let me go inside you here.’ It’s all about affecting the quarterback, and I think we did a pretty good job.”
Texas A&M controlled the ball for 33:44 and amassed 326 yards of total offence, but settled for a single field goal all night. The Hurricanes’ defence forced three turnovers, including an interception by Bryce Fitzgerald in the end zone with 24 seconds left to end the game.
“We were just all locked in. We were prepared for it,” Mesidor said of the deciding drive. “You know as long as they don’t score, they don’t win. As long as you do your job, all 11 do their job, do your 1/11, you’ll be all right.”
“In the huddle, everybody was calm. We listened to Coach Hetherman talk about whatever he wanted to do. Me and Rueben were beside JT (defensive line coach Jason Taylor) listening to his coaching. Nerves are calm inside the huddle. We’re just ready to play the next play.”
The defence’s sensational outing allowed head coach Mario Cristobal to remain patient in his game management, even as the Miami offence struggled to produce in its own right. He credited that unit with the victory after the game.
“That’s the best part, it really is, because a year ago, we had a tough time stopping people on defence,” he said. “It was one of those games where we felt, alright, we’re holding up good, and we’re knocking them back. It’s going to be one of those tight back-and-forth games, and field goals are going to be critical. What I’m trying to say is the confidence that they bring to us in being able to call and manage the game is off the charts. And certainly, it was the difference today.”
A redshirt senior, Mesidor has been a force to be reckoned with for the Hurricanes. Through 12 games, he has recorded 51 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles, while earning a first-team All-ACC selection.
The six-foot-three, 265-pound pass rusher began his collegiate career at West Virginia in 2020, before transferring to Miami in 2022. In 62 collegiate games between the two programs, he has collected 196 total tackles, 48.5 tackles for loss, 31.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four batted passes.
The Hurricanes were not a bowl-eligible team when Mesidor first joined the program, going 5-7 in 2022. They improved to 7-6 the following season and have achieved double-digit victories in each of the past two seasons, finally returning to national relevance after years in the wilderness.
“It means a lot. Last year, we had the same record, but we got snubbed (by the Playoff committee),” Mesidor said of the playoff victory. “It’s not the first time I’ve been in this building, and the last time I was in this building, I lost. It was great to come back and get a W. The defence played lights out, man. D-line, linebackers, DBs — shout out to young Bryce (Fitzgerald).”
Mesidor was the top-ranked player on the CFL’s September scouting bureau rankings, but is unlikely to play north of the border any time soon. He is expected to be selected highly in the 2026 NFL Draft and was ranked as the 18th overall prospect and second-best edge rusher behind teammate Rueben Bain Jr. on Mel Kiper’s latest big board for ESPN.
Before making a name for himself at the professional level, Mesidor has schoolwork to finish. The Hurricanes (11-2) will now advance to face the second-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes (12-1) in the Cotton Bowl on Wednesday, December 31, at 7:30 p.m. EST.
“It feels great to be able to get our first playoff win, but honestly, it’s really on to the next,” Mesidor said. “You can’t focus too much on it. You can be happy for a 24-hour rule. Tomorrow, get back in the building, fix what we’ve messed up, and on to the new game plan. You can’t soak in this too much, or else it’ll take you down.”
J.C. Abbott is a University of British Columbia graduate and high school football coach. He covers the CFL, B.C. Lions, CFL Draft and the three-down league's Global initiative.
