CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Mark Fletcher Jr. can still remember the sense of excitement, of hope, of anticipation that traveling the Florida Turnpike created during his childhood.

As Fletcher and his family would drive past Hard Rock Stadium – or, more importantly, go watch a game there – the former American Heritage Plantation standout couldn’t help but wonder if one day, maybe, he’d have the opportunity to play the game he loved in that very same place himself.

On Thursday, Fletcher will have the opportunity to take the field at Hard Rock Stadium for his last home opener as a Hurricane when No. 7 Miami hosts Florida A&M.

The veteran running back, understandably, is plenty excited for the opportunity.

“It’s going to be real fun,” Fletcher said. “It’s always a good time playing at Hard Rock and it especially hits home for me because this is the stadium that as a little kid, you drove past it, and you were always seeing great players playing in there,” Fletcher said. “It’s just going to be fun to be back and it’s more personal because I was one of those little kids in the stands once, and I don’t know, I didn’t really think I would ever play there one day. The fact that I am playing there, and that kids are seeing me, Mark Fletcher, Miami Hurricanes running back, it’s amazing. I’m so blessed.”

It’s a sentiment wide receiver Malachi Toney understands, as well. And defensive lineman Ahmad Moten Sr. And offensive lineman Ryan Rodriguez.

Like Fletcher, all are South Florida natives who’ve dreamed of playing at Hard Rock Stadium and stepping into the spotlight in front of family, friends and Miami’s fans.

None of them say they’re taking any game there for granted.

“It’s a bittersweet moment, more sweet of course, but bitter because it’s my last first game [there] after five years,” said Moten, who has not only played at Hard Rock, but who attended more than his fair share of games there while his brother Anthony Moten played for the Hurricanes. “There’s definitely going to be a lot of family there for my first last one and I’m just excited.”

Added Toney, “This is very special to me. This is what I’ve been waiting on, to get to play at the Rock again, let the Rock see us, and go out there and go 1-0. That’s the most important thing for me. I’ve been excited. … It’s a place I ride by and see every time I’m at my mom’s house or in that area so for me, I just look at it and I’m like, ‘Dang. That stadium there helped change my life.’”

The Hurricanes (1-0) will come to Hard Rock on Thursday having already played a game after last week’s 45-6 win over ACC foe Stanford in California.

It was a historic showing for Toney, who set a new single-game Miami record with his 234 receiving yards, and a stellar debut for quarterback Darian Mensah, who threw for 401 yards and five touchdowns in the win.

Miami’s defense, meanwhile, held the Cardinal to just a pair of field goals and limited Stanford to just 78 rushing yards.

As well as they played, though, the Hurricanes know their work is just beginning and there’s still plenty of room for them to continue improving.

“I’d say that first game was just us getting our feet wet, a lot of people just getting used to the real speed of how the game goes,” said defensive lineman Marquise Lightfoot, who had a team-high nine tackles in the win over Stanford. “So, as the season goes on, it’s just going to get more and more violent, a lot more of us playing together as a team and whatnot. That’s what I mean when I say there’s a lot more meat left on the bone.”

Said offensive lineman Samson Okunlola, “Overall, we just need to get better. We have to master our basics. We’ve got to chase and finish more. We’re just trying to grow as a group.”

The Hurricanes will have their next opportunity to do that on Thursday when they host FAMU (1-1).

Miami has won its last seven games against FCS opponents by at least 40 points – the longest active streak of any FBS team. And the Hurricanes have won 10 straight over the Rattlers, including a 56-9 victory in the teams’ last meeting in 2024.

Still, the Hurricanes know there are physical playmakers on Florida A&M’s roster and it’s up to them to continue making the plays they need and build on what they did at Stanford.

“To me, you look at them and [head coach Quinn] Gray, just a tremendous playing career and coaching career and whatnot,” Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said. “I think he’s a proven winner and he’s got his guys playing at a really, really high level from a physicality standpoint, so, preparation really doesn’t change for us.”

What will change for Miami, of course, is the setting.

After playing more than 2,500 miles from South Florida, on Thursday, the Hurricanes will be back home, at the stadium where they’ve never lost a home opener and where they’ve outscored opponents 810-155 in those 18 openers since 2008.

They’ll be back in front of their friends, their family and their fans.

All of that matters.

“There’s nothing like playing in front of your people here in Miami,” Cristobal said. “Our players, as time has gone on here, the amount of pride that has been built and just appreciated here … it’s our hometown, our people and our community. The way Hard Rock gets going, it means the world to our guys when they come out of the tunnel, and the place is going bananas. That’s what we want every single week …

“We love that we have an opportunity to bring energy and enthusiasm to the community. That means a lot to us. The city of Miami, Fort Lauderdale, all of South Florida, Palm Beach, the entire state, waking up, fired up, knowing that the Canes are going to go out there and do their very best for them.”