In rollercoaster fashion, the NC State Wolfpack made the plays needed on both offense and defense to come away with a crucial 20-6 win over Miami Saturday night in Carter Finley Stadium.
With the win, the Wolfpack become bowl eligible while head coach Dave Doeren earned his 78th victory in Raleigh to become the winningest coach in NC State program history.
NC State opened the contest with a punt after a penalty slowed down a drive with potential. Miami followed with a 12 play, 43 yard scoring drive that ended with a 48 yard field goal from Andre Borregales to give the Canes the early 3-0 lead with 6:57 left in the first.
That would be the last of the game for Miami, as NC State pulled ahead for good with a 12 yard pass from MJ Morris to unsung hero Jordan Poole to make the score 7-3 in favor of NC State with 2:17 left in the opening period.
Miami added another field goal from Borregales to open up the second period trimming the Wolfpack lead to 7-6. The field goal trading continued as NC State added a 39 yard field goal from Brayden Narveson to send the Wolfpack into halftime leading 10-6.
The Hurricanes would drive inside the five yard line and line up with a chance to take the lead facing 4th and short, but were stopped cold. NC State ensued on a game sealing 8 play 97 yard drive capped off by a impressive 31 yard Kendrick Raphael touchdown run with 5:03 left to make the score 17-6. A late Miami turnover led to another Narveson field goal to produce the final score of 20-6.
Miami outgained NC State 292-231 in total yards, while the Wolfpack won the turnover battle 4-2.
Next week, the Wolfpack head to Winston-Salem to take on Wake Forest. Kickoff is slated for 2 PM.
