Miami Hurricanes defense rebounds to shutdown NC State in Fourth quarter
The Miami Hurricanes defense allowed three points and six yards in the fourth quarter after allowing 404 yards and 38 points through the first three quarters in a 44-41 win over North Carolina State on Friday night.
A North Carolina State field goal on the first play of the fourth quarter extended the Wolfpack lead to 41-31. The Miami Hurricanes defense allowed 38 points and 404 yards through the first three quarters. As part of the Miami comeback over the final 14:55, the Hurricanes held the Wolfpack offense to six yards.
Head coach Manny Diaz stated after the game the ability to shut down the North Carolina State run is what turned the defense around. After running 30 times for 140 yards through the first three quarters, the Wolfpack ran four times for a loss of nine yards in the fourth quarter. Those numbers included a critical sack late.
North Carolina State had nine passing yards in the fourth quarter on two completions in four attempts with an interception. Cornerback Te’Cory Couch recorded the sack for Miami on the penultimate drive of the fourth quarter. Couch got to Wolfpack QB Bailey Hockman for a five-yard loss on third and nine.
The sack forced an NC State punt to get the ball back for Miami and wound up in the Hurricanes game-winning drive. Miami went 84 yards in five plays in 1:08 culminating in a 54-yard touchdown pass from D’Eriq King to Mike Harley with 2:43 left. A D.J. Ivey interception on the first play after the touchdown helped clinch victory.
The defense was carried by the offense for the first three quarters after they allowed 33 points in the two previous wins against Pittsburgh and Virginia. The Miami defense has been at its best throughout the season in the fourth quarter. Opponents have rushed for a low 193 yards in the fourth quarter this season.
Next. Miami WRs have big impact in win over NC State. dark
Miami’s pass defense in the fourth quarter has also been stout. Opponents have 393 yards through seven games for an average of 56.14 yards in the fourth quarter in each game this season. The Miami defense has often been at its best with the game on the line late. Miami needs to continue that trend for the remainder of the season.