Raleigh, NC – The NC State Wolfpack started the contest fast, but ran out of steam in the fourth quarter as they dropped a 44-41 heartbreaking decision to the #11 Miami Hurricanes Friday night in Carter-Finley Stadium. With the win, the Hurricanes improved to 6-1 overall (5-1 ACC), while the Wolfpack fell to 4-3 overall (4-3 ACC).
Photo Courtesy of The ACC
Inside The Numbers:
Heisman candidate D’Eriq King padded the boxscore outgaining the Wolfpack alone with 535 yards of total offense. (430 pass yards, 105 rushing yards). Senior receiver Michael Harley cashed in on King’s big night finishing with eight receptions for 153 yards for two scores including the game-winning 54 yard reception with 2:43 remaining. NC State starting quarterback Bailey Hockman finished the contest with a career-high 248 yards.
Photo Courtesy of The ACC
The First Half:
The game couldn’t have started better for the Wolfpack. They struck first and quick with a six-play, 89-yard drive capped off by Hockman catching a touchdown from receiver Thayer Thomas. Miami answered the opening punch – knotting the game at 7-7 as Will Mallory caught the first of five scoring passes from King at the 9:21 mark of the 1st quarter. Hockman pushed NC State back ahead, connecting with local product Devin Carter from 11 yards out. The first quarter shootout continued as King found Dee Wiggins from 39 yards out – making the score 14-14 closing the scoring in a fast-paced opening period.
Photo Courtesy of The ACC
King gave the Hurricanes their first lead of the game, finding Harley from 20 yards out with 13:34 remaining in the half. State trimmed the Canes lead to 21-17 as Chris Dunn split the uprights from 42 yards out. The Wolfpack took the lead into the half as Hockman found an open Carey Angeline for a 9 yard scoring strike, making the score 24-21 at the break.
The Second Half:
Jose Borregales tied the game again this time at 24-24 with a 36-yard field goal to open the half. Zonovan “Bam” Knight capped off a drive, scoring from one yard out to give State the 31-24 lead. King found Mark Pope for another scoring strike to tie the game at 31 all. That tie would last all but 15 seconds as Knight returned the ensuing kickoff 102 yards to go back on top 38-31. Dunn later added a career tying best 53-yard field goal to push the Wolfpack lead to two scores 41-31. Miami would close the game scoring the last 13 unanswered points. Back to back field goals from Borregales trimmed the lead to 41-37 before King and Harley again connected for the winning score with 2:43 remaining in the contest. The Hurricanes intercepted the next pass from NC State and went into victory formation.
Photo Courtesy of The ACC
What’s Next:
NC State versus Florida State. Kickoff is next Saturday at 7:30