Game Weekend
Weekend Recap: Canes Roll to 4-0, Dolphins Fall to the Chiefs in Home Opener
Hard Rock Stadium hosted two games in less than 24 hours this weekend.
Two games, two very different stories. Saturday night, the Miami Hurricanes put on a show at Hard Rock Stadium and stayed perfect. Sunday afternoon, the Miami Dolphins opened their home schedule against Kansas City and came up short. Here is how the weekend in Miami Gardens played out.
Saturday: Miami 52, Central Michigan 3. The Canes are 4-0. Sunday: Kansas City 24, Miami Dolphins 10. The Dolphins are 0-3.
Canes 52, Central Michigan 3
The Hurricanes turned a close first quarter into a blowout in a hurry. Central Michigan actually scored first on a 49-yard field goal, but Miami answered with a touchdown run and then scored four touchdowns in the second quarter to lead 35-3 at halftime.
Quarterback Darian Mensah was sharp, and the offense piled up 572 total yards, including 371 through the air and 201 on the ground. Mensah threw three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth. The defense was just as dominant, holding Central Michigan to 158 total yards and only 21 rushing yards, with four sacks and three takeaways. One of those turnovers, a fumble recovered in the end zone in the third quarter, went for a Miami touchdown.
What's next for the Canes
Miami hits the road next Saturday, October 3, for its biggest test yet at Clemson. Then comes the game circled on every Miami Gardens calendar: Florida State at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, October 17, followed by Pitt at home on October 24.
Chiefs 24, Dolphins 10
The Dolphins' home opener started even. After Kansas City scored on its opening drive, Miami answered with a 3-yard touchdown run to tie it 7-7 in the first quarter. The Chiefs took a 14-7 lead early in the second quarter, and a third-quarter field goal pulled Miami within four at 14-10.
That was as close as it got. Kansas City added a field goal and then a late touchdown pass to Travis Kelce to put the game away. The Dolphins actually controlled the ball longer, with more than 34 minutes of possession, but two turnovers and a passing game that never found a rhythm kept them out of the end zone after the first quarter. Patrick Mahomes completed 20 of 24 passes for two touchdowns.
What's next for the Dolphins
At 0-3 under first-year coach Jeff Hafley, the Dolphins head to Minnesota next Sunday, October 4, before returning to Hard Rock Stadium to host Cincinnati on Sunday, October 11.
A big weekend for Miami Gardens
Win or lose, back-to-back game days mean full parking lots, busy local restaurants, and a lot of visitors getting to know the city. Thanks to everyone who used our game weekend guide to plan ahead, tailgated, and ate local.
The stadium switches from football to music this Friday and Saturday, October 2 and 3, when Karol G brings her tour to Miami Gardens. Read our Karol G guide, and find a pre-show meal in our list of restaurants near Hard Rock Stadium.
Frequently asked questions
What was the score of the Canes game against Central Michigan?
The Miami Hurricanes beat Central Michigan 52-3 on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium to improve to 4-0.
Did the Dolphins win their home opener?
No. The Kansas City Chiefs beat the Miami Dolphins 24-10 on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins are 0-3.
When is the next Canes home game at Hard Rock Stadium?
After playing at Clemson on October 3, the Miami Hurricanes host Florida State at Hard Rock Stadium on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
When is the next Dolphins home game?
The Miami Dolphins play at Minnesota on October 4 and return to Hard Rock Stadium to host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, October 11, 2026.
Scores and statistics are from official game data. Future game times may be set or changed by the leagues and networks. Confirm with the teams before you go. Published: September 27, 2026.
