North Carolina State’s defense stood firm throughout most of the game and the Wolfpack generated enough offense in a 20-6 victory against visiting Miami on Saturday night in Raleigh, N.C.
The Wolfpack collected four Miami turnovers, while Jordan Poole and Kendrick Raphael scored their first NC State touchdowns.
The outcome keeps the Wolfpack (6-3, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) in the mix for the second spot in the ACC championship game. Miami (6-3, 2-3) would need three wins and lots of help to reach that league title game.
NC State, which was coming off a victory against Clemson, has been revived in a two-game homestand. Coach Dave Doeren has 78 wins with the Wolfpack, setting a program record.
The Wolfpack clung to a four-point lead by stopping the Hurricanes on downs at the 3-yard line, so Miami didn’t score on a drive that consumed more than 7 1/2 minutes, used 12 plays and covered 72 yards. The Wolfpack regained possession with 9:47 remaining.
The Wolfpack then went 97 yards on eight plays, with Raphael scoring on a 31-yard run with 5:03 left.
Miami, which prior to the game had a low point total of 20 points in games this season, tried to respond, but a fourth-down pass from Tyler Van Dyke was intercepted by Devan Boykin. That led to Brayden Narveson’s 19-yard field goal.
Van Dyke was 21 of 38 for 173 yards. Teammate Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed for 115 yards on 23 carries.
NC State had only 135 yards of total offense through three quarters.
Miami closed within 7-6 early in the second quarter on Andres Borregales’ 27-yard field goal. The next possessions for the Hurricanes ended in an interception, fumble, punt, missed field goal and another punt. Borregales missed from 45 yards out.
Borregales was good from 48 yards in the first quarter and 27 yards in the second quarter. In between those, NC State quarterback MJ Morris threw for a 12-yard touchdown on a swing pass to Poole, who recently became a running back. Poole is a converted linebacker and that was the first time he touched the ball on offense, capping the 72-yard drive.
In the second quarter, the teams combined for three consecutive possessions that ended with turnovers.
Brayden Narveson booted a 39-yard field goal late in the first half for a 10-6 lead. That scoring opportunity came following a Miami fumble that was recovered by Davin Vann at the Hurricanes’ 15-yard line.
–Field Level Media