Wolfpack Fall Late on Last-Minute Miami Touchdown
RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State took a 10-point lead on the first snap of the fourth quarter (41-31), but the #11 Miami Hurricanes scored the game’s final 13 points to come away with a 44-41 win at Carter-Finley Stadium.
The Pack (4-3) opened the game with points on four of its first five drives of the game and held a 24-21 halftime lead.
On the first drive of the game, it was QB catching a 31-yard TD pass from WR Thayer Thomas, and on the next Pack drive Hockman threw an 11-yard TD pass to Devin Carter.
Miami (6-1) answered both drives by also scoring a TD on their two opening possessions, and the contest was tied 14-14 after the first quarter.
The Hurricanes took their first lead of the game with a third first-half TD, coming less then two minutes into the second quarter.
The Wolfpack closed the half on a 10-0 run for the halftime lead. Christopher Dunn hit a 42-yard field goal, followed by Hockman hooking up with TE Cary Angeline for his team-leading sixth TD of the season with three minutes left in the half.
After a 36-yard Miami field goal to start the second half, the Pack answered that drive with a one-yard Zonovan Knight TD run to make it 31-24 midway through the third quarter.
Miami again evened the score on the ensuing drive, making it dead even at 31-31.
Just 15 seconds later, the Pack retook the lead going into the fourth quarter. RB Zonovan Knight took the kickoff back 100 yards for the Pack’s first kickoff return for a score since 2016.
On the first snap of the fourth quarter, Dunn tied a career-best with a 53-yard field goal to give the Pack a 41-31 lead.
The Hurricanes converted back-to-back field goals, and closed the Pack’s lead to 41-37 with 6:12 left in the game.
Miami needed just five plays to travel 84 yards and regain the lead, as Canes QB D’Eriq King hit receiver Mike Harley for two big plays on the drive, a 35-yard gain to bring Miami near midfield and a 54-yard pass and catch in which Harley outran the Wolfpack defense to put Miami ahead, 44-41.
Miami quarterback King had a big night, throwing for 31-41, 430 yards, and five touchdown passes. Hockman finished with 248 yards, completing 19-of-28 passes and throwing an interception on the final drive of the game which slipped through an NC State receiver’s hand and was picked off to seal the deal.
The Pack will return home for a second straight night game at Carter-Finley Stadium next weekend, as NC State will play Florida State. Kick is set for 7:30 p.m.
(Courtesy of NC State Athletics, Atlantic Coast Conference)