On Miami’s winning overtime run Saturday night, Hurricanes left guard Javion Cohen gently shoved Mark Fletcher Jr. to keep him from going out of bounds.

Then, Cohen pushed Fletcher again, this time forward, giving the freshman running back the impetus he needed to score.

How fitting.

The Hurricanes, who defeated Virginia 29-26, are 6-2 largely because of an outstanding freshman class with support – a push here or there – by some veterans.

Take, for example, Francis Mauigoa … because every college football team in the nation certainly would hand him a scholarship.

Mauigoa has started every game at right tackle this season, and he has become a key member on a highly improved offensive line. He was ESPN’s 6th-rated player – and the No. 1 offensive lineman – in the Class of 2023, and he has lived up to that billing.

However, Mauigoa has received tremendous support by players such as center Matt Lee, who was a 3-year starter at Central Florida before transferring to Miami, and Cohen, an All-SEC player while at Alabama before becoming a Hurricanes star.

It helps, too, that Miami’s coach, Mario Cristobal, is a former offensive lineman. Clearly, Cristobal has made the offensive line a priority.

But as good as Mauigoa has been this season, he isn’t even Miami’s best freshman.

That would be defensive end Rueben Bain Jr., who was ranked by ESPN as the nation’s 70th-best prospect for 2023.

Not bad … except Bain now looks very underrated.

Bain leads Miami with 6.5 sacks and ranks second with 7.5 tackles for losses. His 2 forced fumbles are tied for the team lead.

Miami has veterans on the defensive line, too, but Akheem Mesidor has missed 5 games, Branson Deen has missed 2, and Nyjalik Kelly has missed 4.

Bain hasn’t missed a game, and Miami probably wouldn’t have those 6 wins without him.

Defensive end Jayden Wayne, ranked 90th in the Class of 2023, hasn’t made the impact of Bain. He has 10 tackles in limited playing time, but, when given a chance, his quickness has been noticeable.

On offense, Fletcher is big, fast and powerful at 6-foot-2 and 225 pounds, and those attributes were on display on the 11-yard run that sunk Virginia.

“Mark runs really hard,” Cristobal said. “He’s a really big dude, and we have complete trust in him. You see how valuable he is and the importance of recruiting.”

Fletcher has missed 3 games because of injuries, and he is playing behind veteran running backs such as Henry Parrish Jr., Donald Chaney Jr. and Ajay Allen.

Still, Fletcher – who was ranked No. 205 on ESPN’s list – has rushed for 180 yards, 2 touchdowns and a 5.1 average.

Tight end Riley Williams, No. 86 on ESPN’s list, looks like a future NFL player. Miami hasn’t used him much this year, but he has 4 catches for a touchdown.

Speedy wide receiver “Ray-Ray” Joseph, ranked No. 143 by ESPN, is 9th on Miami’s list with 158 total yards. He has looked good on kickoff returns and bubble screens.

Running back Chris Johnson, ranked No. 230 by ESPN, is another player known for his speed. He has 75 yards with the promise of many more next season.

And then there’s quarterback Emory Williams, who did not even make ESPN’s top-300 list. Williams won his only start this year, leading Miami to its first win against Clemson since 2010.

A classic drop-back passer, Emory Williams has put himself in the running to be Miami’s quarterback in 2024, when Tyler Van Dyke will – hopefully for him – have a roster spot in the NFL.

Emory Williams has completed an impressive 75.0% of his passes for 295 yards, 1 touchdown and an interception.

Interestingly, even with all these true freshmen making significant contributions, Miami has not folded in the clutch.

Quite the opposite.

Miami has won 2 straight overtime games, and, if not for Cristobal failing to call for a kneel-down in that horrific Georgia Tech loss, the Hurricanes would be 7-1.

“It’s difficult on the heart a little bit,” Cristobal said of the 2 straight OT games, “but it’s good for our football team that we’re able to respond.”

Indeed, Fletcher had 56 scrimmage yards Saturday; Joseph had 75 yards on 3 kickoff returns; and Bain had 2.5 tackles for losses, including 2 sacks.

Veterans had big games, too.

Safety Kamren Kinchens had his 9th career interception, and he returned it for a touchdown for the 2nd time. Fellow safety James Williams had a game-high 13 tackles – and at least couple were bone-jarring.

On offense, Allen scored on a 26-yard run during which he jumped over a defender in what surely among the plays of the year in college football.

Andres Borregales was sensational, booting field goals of 47, 48 and 50 yards in a perfect night for the kicker.

Unfortunately for Miami, Van Dyke had an off game, passing for just 163 yards – 76 less than Virginia’s Tony Muskett. Van Dyke was intercepted twice, and a Virginia defender dropped a would-be 3rd pick.

Credit Cristobal with being honest about Van Dyke’s performance.

“It wasn’t a good day,” Cristobal said of Van Dyke. “Today was muddy. Things weren’t as clear as they were in the past.

“I don’t want to say anything other than Tyler is our quarterback, and he has done a really good job in a lot of instances.

“Today wasn’t his best day, and that happens sometimes.”