Miami football used big plays defeating stout North Carolina State defense
The Miami football team was able to generate big plays on Saturday night against a stout North Carolina State defense. Miami had seven pass plays of 15 or more yards and one running play of 10 plus yards. North Carolina State is 23rd in the country allowing just 81 plays of 10 or more yards this season.
Six different Miami players produced the big plays. Tyler Van Dyke fueled a Hurricanes offense that utilized the big plays in a 31-30 victory over the Wolfpack. Running back Jaylan Knighton and wide receiver Charleston Rambo were the only Miami players with a pair of big plays. Each had big-play touchdowns.
Rambo had a 25-yard TD reception from Van Dyke on the opening drive of the game to put Miami up 7-0. Van Dyke and Rambo connected on the first play of the second half on a 60-yard completion to put Miami in scoring range on the North Carolina State 15-yard line. Rambo had nine receptions for 122 yards and two TDs.
Miami went up 14-3 in the second quarter when Knighton caught a pass on fourth and one and went 53 yards for the TD. Knighton added a 28 yard run in the fourth quarter when Miami took the lead for good. The Hurricanes capped that drive when Van Dyke and Rambo connected on their second TD of the game from four yards.
Wide receivers Mike Harley and Keyshawn Smith and tight ends Elijah Arroyo and Will Mallory had the other receptions for at least 15 yards. Mallory had the biggest reception of the game for Miami. On third and 16 at the Miami 42 with 2:30 remaining Van Dyke completed a pass to Mallory for 21 yards and a first down.
Knighton ran three yards on the next play followed by two victory formation kneel-downs. Miami came out aggressive in the first quarter and continued producing big plays throughout the game until they were able to run out the clock. The Hurricanes are going to have to continue to produce big plays on Saturday at Pittsburgh.
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Pittsburgh has been susceptible to explosive plays. The Panthers are 61st allowing 14 plays of 30 plus yards. On the road against the ACC Coastal Division first-place team, Miami will need explosive plays. Pittsburgh has the 21st ranked defense nationally. Miami has won the last three and five of the last six versus Pittsburgh.