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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Fifth-ranked Miami withstood a furious fourth-quarter push from Wake Forest on Friday night, holding on for a 33-20 win at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium to open ACC play for both teams.
The Hurricanes (3-0, 2-0 ACC) built a 24-point lead behind a dominant second and third quarter before their offense went cold late, managing just 13 total yards in the fourth. Wake Forest (2-1, 0-1) clawed back within 11 points with under 15 minutes to play, but penalties, a costly safety and a missed opportunity in the red zone kept the Demon Deacons from completing the comeback.
How It Happened
Miami and Wake Forest traded early touchdowns to open the game tied at 7-7, but the Hurricanes took control from there. Miami scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter alone, holding the Demon Deacons to just 18 total yards and zero first downs in the period. Quarterback Darian Mensah completed his first 20 pass attempts of the night before halftime, and Miami carried a 24-7 lead into the break.
The Hurricanes kept rolling out of the locker room, extending the margin to 31-7 with 8:56 left in the third quarter on the strength of 24 unanswered points dating back to the first-half tie.
That’s when Wake Forest found its footing. Quarterback Gio Lopez directed touchdown drives of 75 and 63 yards, connecting with Jack Foley and Carlos Hernandez in the end zone to cut the deficit to 31-20 with just under 15 minutes remaining. The Demon Deacons’ defense also came alive in the fourth quarter, repeatedly getting the ball back and holding Miami to three punts and no points the rest of the way.
But the comeback bid unraveled in the details. Moments after Wake Forest trimmed the lead to 31-20, an offensive holding penalty in the end zone resulted in a safety, pushing Miami’s lead back to 33-20 with 13:11 to go. Wake Forest’s final three possessions all ended without points — a turnover on downs at Miami’s 14-yard line, another turnover on downs near midfield, and an interception by Miami’s Ethan O’Connor at the Miami 22 with 2:24 remaining sealed the outcome.
Key Storylines
Mensah’s near-record night. Miami’s Darian Mensah finished 30 of 34 passing for 220 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He completed 24 consecutive passes at one point in the game — two shy of the FBS single-game record of 26, set by East Carolina’s Dominique Davis against Navy in 2011.
Lopez keeps Wake Forest in it. Gio Lopez, who transferred to Wake Forest from North Carolina this off-season, threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns on 29-of-46 passing. His scoring throws went to Kamrean Johnson, Jack Foley and Carlos Hernandez, and he nearly authored a full comeback despite the deficit his team faced.
A tale of two fourth quarters. After controlling the game for three quarters, Miami’s offense went dormant late, totaling just 13 yards — seven passing, six rushing — while punting three times and failing to score after its third-quarter touchdown. Wake Forest’s defense deserves credit for the shutdown, even if the offense couldn’t fully capitalize.
Penalties swing the game. Wake Forest was flagged 13 times for 122 yards, compared with seven penalties for 75 yards on Miami. The most damaging came in the end zone, when a holding call turned a promising drive into a safety for Miami at a pivotal moment in the fourth quarter. Another penalty wiped out a strong Wake Forest punt return.
No ground game for the Deacons. Wake Forest managed just 22 rushing yards on 16 carries — 1.4 yards per attempt — putting the offensive burden squarely on Lopez’s arm. Miami, by contrast, rushed for 158 yards, led by Mark Fletcher Jr.’s 85 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
By the Numbers
| Category | Miami | Wake Forest |
|---|---|---|
| Final Score | 33 | 20 |
| Passing Yards | 220 | 312 |
| Rushing Yards | 158 | 22 |
| Penalties-Yards | 7-75 | 13-122 |
Passing: Darian Mensah (MIA) — 30-of-34, 220 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT. Gio Lopez (WAKE) — 29-of-46, 312 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT.
Rushing: Mark Fletcher Jr. (MIA) — 16 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD.
Receiving: Malachi Toney (MIA) — 12 receptions, 114 yards, 1 TD. Jack Foley (WAKE) — 6 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD (including a 49-yard catch). Carlos Hernandez (WAKE) — 10 receptions, 69 yards, 1 TD.
Defense: Ethan O’Connor (MIA) — game-sealing interception with 2:24 remaining.
What’s Next
Miami returns home to Hard Rock Stadium to host Central Michigan on Sept. 26, while Wake Forest hits the road for an ACC matchup at Louisville the same day, with kickoff set for noon.
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