In what may not be their final home game after all, No. 16 Miami delivered one of its most dominant performances of the season, overwhelming N.C. State 41-7 on Senior Day to keep climbing in the College Football Playoff race.
Quarterback Carson Beck was sharp and efficient, completing his final 13 attempts and finishing 21 of 27 for 291 yards and three touchdowns — two of those going to freshman standout Malachi Toney. The Hurricanes (8-2, 4-2 ACC) built a 41-0 lead before emptying the bench in the fourth quarter, closing out their eighth home game of the year with their fifth victory by at least 25 points. Not since the powerhouse 2002 Miami team, which posted six such wins, has a Hurricanes squad dominated opponents this consistently.
Miami outgained N.C. State 581-149, an eye-popping margin made even more notable by the Wolfpack’s offensive reputation. Entering the day, N.C. State ranked No. 2 in total offense during ACC play, averaging 454 yards per game. But Miami’s defense smothered the Wolfpack from the opening snap — and delivered points of its own.
Cornerback Jakobe Thomas intercepted two passes in the first quarter, returning one for a touchdown to help Miami seize complete control. Meanwhile, running back Girard Pringle Jr. posted the best game of his young career. He more than doubled his season rushing total by running for 116 yards, surpassing the 115 he accumulated across his first four games combined.
With Beck carving up N.C. State through the air and Pringle pounding away on the ground, Miami raced ahead and never looked back. The Hurricanes scored on six straight drives while preventing the Wolfpack from generating any rhythm. Outside of a one-play end-of-half possession, eight of N.C. State’s first 10 drives ended with either a punt or an interception.
N.C. State quarterback CJ Bailey completed 17 of 30 passes for 120 yards and added a late 2-yard rushing touchdown with 2:18 remaining — a score that prevented what would have been the Wolfpack’s first shutout loss in 144 games, dating back to Oct. 4, 2014.
But little else went right for N.C. State (5-5, 2-4). The Wolfpack have now surrendered 36 or more points in four consecutive games, their longest such stretch since late 2013.
Miami entered the weekend ranked No. 15 by the CFP committee, the highest-ranked ACC team. With another lopsided win — and an eye-test performance backed by massive yardage and defensive dominance — the Hurricanes are well positioned to rise again.
It’s possible Saturday won’t be their last appearance at Hard Rock Stadium this season. Miami’s home is set to host two CFP games: the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1 and the CFP National Championship on Jan. 19. The Hurricanes hope this win keeps them firmly in the conversation to host one of those postseason contests as a participant, not just a venue.
Miami also set a new single-season mark for home attendance distribution, with 510,673 tickets distributed over eight home dates. The Hurricanes averaged 63,834 fans, their second-highest single-season average in school history, trailing only the 69,539 mark from 2002.
N.C. State: Hosts Florida State on Friday. Miami: Travels to Virginia Tech on Nov. 22.
