No. 5 Miami Survives Wake Forest 33-20 Behind Record-Setting Darian Mensah and Fourth-Quarter Defense

Mensah Leads Miami to Fast Start Before Defense Takes Over

No. 5 Miami remained unbeaten Friday night, but the Hurricanes needed their defense to finish what their offense started. Miami defeated Wake Forest 33-20 as quarterback Darian Mensah delivered a record-setting performance through the air before the Hurricanes’ defense took control in the fourth quarter to preserve the victory.

Mensah completed his first 24 passes of the game, setting Atlantic Coast Conference records for consecutive completions while keeping Miami’s offense rolling for much of the night. He finished 30 of 34 for 220 yards and three touchdowns as the Hurricanes improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in ACC play.

The performance initially appeared to be another offensive showcase for Miami. Mensah repeatedly found receivers in stride, connecting on throws downfield and keeping the Hurricanes moving with remarkable efficiency.

Miami scored on its opening possession when Mensah found Joshua Moore for a 9-yard touchdown. He later delivered a perfectly placed throw to the left side for Elija Lofton’s 21-yard touchdown before adding a short touchdown pass to sophomore star receiver Malachi Toney. The Hurricanes eventually built a 31-7 advantage midway through the third quarter.

Wake Forest Makes a Fourth-Quarter Push

The game changed dramatically after Miami’s offense suddenly stalled. The Hurricanes went three-and-out on four consecutive possessions while several Miami players dealt with injuries, giving Wake Forest an opportunity to mount a comeback.

Demon Deacons quarterback Gio Lopez took advantage, throwing for 312 yards and three touchdowns. Lopez connected with Carlos Hernandez on a 17-yard touchdown pass, dropping a perfectly thrown ball into the back right corner of the end zone to cut Miami’s lead to 31-20 with 14:56 remaining. That was when Miami’s defense took over.

Miami Defense Closes the Door

The Hurricanes immediately responded with pressure on Lopez. Miami pressured Lopez in the end zone, forcing a holding penalty that resulted in a safety and pushed the Hurricanes’ lead to 33-20. Wake Forest later drove deep into Miami territory, reaching the Hurricanes’ 13-yard line.

But Miami again pressured Lopez, forcing an inaccurate fourth-down throw in the end zone and ending the threat. Freshman defensive lineman JJ Dunnigan continued making an impact, rushing around the edge to pressure Lopez into another hurried, off-target fourth-down attempt with 5:24 remaining.

Wake Forest’s final realistic opportunity ended when Ethan O’Connor intercepted Lopez in the red zone with 2:24 left. The takeaway effectively sealed Miami’s victory and capped a fourth quarter in which the Hurricanes’ defense produced four consecutive stops. Miami’s offense had provided the early cushion, but the defense ultimately carried the Hurricanes across the finish line.

What’s Next for Miami and Wake Forest

Miami will return home next Saturday to host Central Michigan as the Hurricanes look to continue their perfect start. Wake Forest, meanwhile, will face another ranked opponent when the Demon Deacons travel to No. 23 Louisville next Saturday.

For Miami, Friday night’s victory provided another reminder of the team’s offensive potential while also showcasing a defense capable of closing out a game when the offense runs into trouble.