Miami football makes big plays late in 31-30 win over North Carolina State
True freshman safety Kamren Kinchens made an open-field tackle of Thayer Thomas on fourth down and a completion from second-year freshman quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to third-year junior tight end Will Mallory iced the game late as the Miami football team defeated North Carolina State 31-30 on Saturday night.
The win by the Miami football team broke a six-game losing streak against Power Five opponents. Miami last defeated a Power Five team with a 48-0 victory over Duke last December. Van Dyke finished 25-33 for 325 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Jaylan Knighton and Charleston Rambo carried the Miami offense.
Knighton had 21 carries for 83 yards and added six receptions for 83 yards and a TD. Knighton had over 160 yards of total offense for the second straight game. Rambo had nine receptions for 127 yards and two TDs. Mallory did not put up big stats but the three receptions for 34 yards and one TD were critical.
Van Dyke completed a 21-yard pass to Mallory on third and 16 with 2:30 remaining. With North Carolina State out of timeouts, Miami was able to run the clock out from there. Knighton ran for three yards on first down on the next play. That was succeeded by two victory formation plays. Miami made big plays needed to win.
The game was as even as the one-point margin would indicate. North Carolina State outgained Miami 421-420. Defensively, Miami made big plays when they had to. North Carolina State finished 3-14 on third down, Miami was 6-17. Neither team turned the ball over. Miami was efficient offensively.
Miami accomplished a lot offensively against the best defense in the ACC. The Wolfpack entered the game with the 11th ranked defense nationally allowing 292.7 yards. In his fourth start, Van Dyke is leading a Miami offense that finally played a complete game. The Hurricanes face another tough defense next week at Pittsburgh.
Next. Miami could be one of many Power 5 programs looking for new coach. dark
Miami improves to 3-4 overall and 1-2 in the ACC. Eighteenth-ranked North Carolina State falls to 5-2 overall, 2-1 in the ACC. The victory for Miami is the first over a ranked team since winning 47-34 at number 19 Louisville last season. Miami plays at number 22 Pittsburgh next week. Pittsburgh beat Clemson 27-17 on Saturday.