Miami Hurricanes WRs had big impact in win over NC State
Mike Harley had his second consecutive big game and the Miami Hurricanes received big contributions from throughout their WRs corps in a thrilling 44-41 victory at North Carolina State on Friday.
The Miami Hurricanes wide receiver corps has been so maligned that all nine on scholarship have been listed as starters the last two weeks. Senior Mike Harley had a breakout game in the win over Virginia two weeks ago. Harley set career highs with 10 receptions for 170 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Cavaliers.
Harley and the Miami WR corps combined for 22 receptions for 337 yards and four TDs in the 44-41 win Friday night against North Carolina State. Harley finished with eight receptions for 153 yards and a career-high two TDs. Dee Wiggins added 7-77 and a TD, Mark Pope 6-97 and a TD and Jeremiah Payton 1-12.
Wiggins set a career-high for receptions and was just eight yards off his career-high. Pope set a career-high in receptions and yards. Tight end Will Mallory also set career highs with six receptions for 78 yards and a TD. Quarterback D’Eriq King spread the ball around with Pope getting 10 targets, Harley, Mallory and Wiggins eight each.
The Miami offense was explosive against Louisville and Florida State without much production from the wide receivers. If the Hurricanes can continue to receive production from the WR corps, the offense should continue to put up a lot of points throughout the remainder of the season.
All of the Miami receivers had big plays on Friday. Harley had a long of 54 on the game-winning TD in the fourth quarter, Pope and Wiggins’ longest receptions went for 39 yards and Mallory had a long of 27. In seven games Miami now has 66 pass plays for 10 or more yards, 30 for 20 or more, 15 for 20 plus and seven for 30 plus.
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Rhett Lashlee has given the Miami offense an identity in his first year as offensive coordinator. Lashlee takes what the defense gives him. On Friday night the Hurricanes had 431 yards passing and 189 rushing. The 620 total yards were a Miami high for the season as were the 339 yards receiving from the Miami WRs.