MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. – The 18th ranked Wolfpack dropped its first ACC contest of the season, falling 31-30 at Miami.
The Pack went three-and-out on the opening possession, and Miami took their first offensive drive 75 yards in nine plays, capped by a 25-yard TD pass.
The first score for the Pack also set a new school record. Christopher Dunn’s 33-yard field in the first quarter made him the all-time leading scorer in Wolfpack history. Miami led 7-3 after the first quarter.
Miami increased its lead, with a 53-yard TD pass on a 4th-and-1 play to go up 14-3 just over a minute unit the second quarter.
NC State went back-to-back with TD drives before the half, both times with QB Devin Leary finding WR Thayer Thomas. The first TD was from 7 yards out capping a 75-yard drive. The second, NC State went 77 yards in only three plays with a 27-yard Leary-Thomas pass.
With the TD in the final minute, the Pack took a 17-14 lead into the half.
The back-and-forth continued in the second half. Miami retook the lead scoring on its opening possession with a 5-yard TD pass.
Dunn’s second field goal of the game, this from 44 yards out, cut the Miami lead to 21-20 midway through the third quarter.
After a fake punt by the Pack, Trent Pennix took a direct snap and gained 40 yards, the Pack retook the lead on the first play of the fourth quarter. Leary kept the ball and rushed in from 17 yards out to make it 27-24.
The Hurricanes recaptured the led on the ensuing drive with a 4-yard TD pass, making it a 31-27 score with 9:34 left.
Dunn connected on his third field goal of the day, this from 40 yards out, to cut the Miami lead to 31-30 with 5:39 left.
NC State got the ball back at its own 44-yard line with 3:46 left, but Miami made a fourth down stop and got the ball back with 2:49 to run out the clock.
STAT LEADERS
• QB Devin Leary
24-of-42 for 310 yards, 2 TDs (1 more rush)
• RB Ricky Person, Jr.
9 rushes for 54 yards
• WR Thayer Thomas
7 catches for 71 yards, 2 TDs
NOTABLES
• Leary threw for 310 yards, the second-highest total of his career. His third career 300+ yard game, second of the season (303 at Mississippi State)
.
• In five of the Pack’s games this season, NC State got a score late in the second half:
0:00 – Boston College
0:02 – Louisiana Tech
0:15 – Miami
0:24 – Furman
0:48 – USF
UP NEXT
NC State will return to Carter-Finley Stadium next weekend, as the Pack will host Louisville. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. and be televised by the ACC Network.
