Miami Defense Delivers Four Fourth-Quarter Stops in 33-20 Win Over Wake Forest/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Darian Mensah completed his first 24 passes and set two ACC records as No. 5 Miami defeated Wake Forest 33-20. The Hurricanes’ offense built a 31-7 lead before stalling, forcing the defense to produce four consecutive fourth-quarter stops. Mensah threw three touchdown passes, while Miami improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in conference play.
Quick Look
- Miami defeated Wake Forest 33-20 in an ACC matchup.
- Mensah opened the game with 24 consecutive completions.
- He completed 35 straight passes across two games, another ACC record.
- Mensah finished 30 of 34 for 220 yards and three touchdowns.
- Miami’s defense recorded four consecutive fourth-quarter stops.
- Ethan O’Connor sealed the result with a late interception.
- Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez threw for 312 yards and three scores.
- The Demon Deacons committed 13 penalties for 137 yards.
- Several Miami players left the game or required medical attention.
- Miami hosts Central Michigan next, while Wake Forest visits No. 23 Louisville.
Deep Look
Mensah sets the tone with record-breaking accuracy
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Darian Mensah completed his first 24 passes and established multiple Atlantic Coast Conference records as fifth-ranked Miami held off Wake Forest for a 33-20 victory Friday night.
Mensah’s accuracy powered the Hurricanes to a commanding lead through the middle of the third quarter. When Miami’s offense suddenly stalled, its defense took responsibility for finishing the game.
The Hurricanes stopped Wake Forest on four consecutive fourth-quarter possessions, preventing the Demon Deacons from completing a comeback.
“I think a ton of credit goes to the defense for just bowing up and executing at a high level,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said.
Miami improved to 3-0 overall and 2-0 in the ACC. Wake Forest fell to 2-1 and 0-1 in conference play.
Miami offense starts with near-perfect execution
Mensah repeatedly delivered passes accurately and in stride as Miami’s offense controlled the opening portion of the game.
He completed 30 of 34 attempts for 220 yards and three touchdowns.
Mensah connected with Joshua Moore for a 9-yard touchdown during the opening possession. He later executed a throw back across the formation to Elija Lofton for a 21-yard score.
A short touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Malachi Toney extended Miami’s advantage to 31-7 midway through the third quarter.
At that point, the Hurricanes appeared to be headed toward another comfortable victory after opening the season with two dominant performances.
Offensive momentum disappears
Miami’s offense abruptly lost its rhythm after taking the 24-point lead.
The Hurricanes went three-and-out on four consecutive possessions while several offensive players sustained injuries or required medical evaluation.
That gave Wake Forest repeated chances to reduce the deficit.
The Demon Deacons scored 13 unanswered points and entered the fourth quarter with an opportunity to turn the game into a one-possession contest.
Mensah said he remained confident that the defense would respond.
“I have a lot of faith in our defense, they give us some trouble in practice,” Mensah said. “So for them to go out there, it’s no surprise. Them dudes over there are all ballers.”
Gio Lopez helps Wake Forest rally
Wake Forest quarterback Gio Lopez completed passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns.
His 17-yard scoring pass to Carlos Hernandez cut Miami’s lead to 31-20 with 14:56 remaining.
Lopez placed the ball in the back right corner of the end zone, giving Hernandez an opportunity to complete the touchdown catch and strengthening Wake Forest’s momentum.
The Demon Deacons had several additional opportunities during the fourth quarter but failed to score again.
Miami defense takes control
The Hurricanes’ defense responded immediately after Wake Forest pulled within 11 points.
Miami pressured Lopez in the end zone, resulting in an offensive holding penalty and a safety. The two points increased the Hurricanes’ lead to 33-20.
Wake Forest later advanced to Miami’s 13-yard line, but pressure forced Lopez into an inaccurate fourth-down pass in the end zone.
Freshman JJ Dunnigan disrupted another possession by rushing around the edge and forcing Lopez to hurry an off-target fourth-down throw with 5:24 remaining.
Ethan O’Connor then intercepted Lopez in the red zone with 2:24 left, effectively ending Wake Forest’s final comeback attempt.
“We had some opportunities to really get back in that game in the foruth quarter, just could never quite get over the hump,” Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert said.
Mensah establishes two ACC records
Mensah’s first 24 completions broke the ACC single-game record for consecutive completed passes to begin a game.
The previous mark was 18 and had been shared by three quarterbacks.
Mensah also completed 35 consecutive passes across Miami’s games against Florida A&M and Wake Forest.
That broke the ACC multi-game record of 30 consecutive completions set by North Carolina quarterback Mitch Trubisky in September 2016.
Mensah’s streak ended during the third quarter, but his performance had already established both conference marks.
Miami defense provides encouraging sign
Miami entered the game leading the country with an average of 702.5 total yards per game.
The Hurricanes also ranked second in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 61 points per contest, contributing to their rise to No. 5 in The Associated Press college football poll.
The late defensive performance demonstrated that Miami could win even after its high-scoring offense lost momentum.
“It’s a good feeling, but we’re all one team,” defensive lineman Marquise Lightfoot said. “So they’ve got our back when we need them, and we’ve got their back when they need us.”
Lightfoot also recorded a third-quarter sack of Lopez.
Penalties hurt Wake Forest
Wake Forest entered Friday seeking only its second victory against an opponent ranked in the national top 10.
The Demon Deacons began the game with a 1-68 record against top-10 teams. Their only such victory came against No. 4 Tennessee in 1946.
Wake Forest committed 13 penalties for 137 yards against Miami.
Two of those penalties erased significant punt returns during the fourth quarter, costing the Demon Deacons valuable field position while they were attempting to rally.
“We need to learn from this and get better,” Dickert said. “Our execution wasn’t at a high enough level.”
Injuries accumulate for Miami
Multiple Miami players were injured or shaken up during the game.
Toney and leading running back Mark Fletcher Jr. were among the offensive players who required attention.
Defensive lineman Ahmad Moten Sr. briefly left the game during the first quarter with his left arm hanging at his side. He later returned.
Running back CharMar Brown sustained an apparent right knee injury during the second quarter after a 32-yard run that ended just short of the goal line.
Brown remained down in the end zone while medical personnel examined him. He was helped to the sideline and later taken by cart to the tunnel.
Miami did not immediately provide detailed updates on the injured players’ conditions.
What the result means for Miami
The Hurricanes opened the season with two lopsided victoriesrelying heavily on an offense that ranked among the country’s most productive.
Wake Forest provided a different test by recovering from a 31-7 deficit and forcing Miami’s defense to protect the lead.
The Hurricanes’ four late stops allowed them to remain unbeaten and continue their strong start in ACC play.
The result also demonstrated greater balance than Miami had needed during its first two games, with the defense carrying the team after the offense recorded four straight three-and-outs.
Up next
Miami returns home to face Central Michigan next Saturday.
Wake Forest travels to play No. 23 Louisville in another ACC matchup.
More on Sports