**Miami Rolls Past N.C. State 41-7 in Final Regular-Season Home Game**
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Miami played its final home game of the season on Saturday — that is, unless the College Football Playoff (CFP) committee has other plans.
Quarterback Carson Beck passed for 291 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Malachi Toney, as No. 16 Miami continued its quest to climb the CFP rankings with a dominant 41-7 victory over N.C. State.
Beck completed his final 13 throws, finishing 21-for-27 for the Hurricanes (8-2, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference). Miami now boasts five wins by at least 25 points this season, marking the most such victories in a single year since the 2002 team had six.
“Turn on the tape,” said defensive lineman Ahkeem Mesidor. “Look at us when we play.”
Fans can expect at least two CFP playoff games on Miami’s home field this season — the Orange Bowl on January 1, and the CFP national championship game on January 19. The Hurricanes hope performances like Saturday’s will secure their spot in the expanding 12-team tournament.
Miami’s defense set the tone early. Jakobe Thomas intercepted two passes in the first quarter, returning one for a touchdown. Running back Girard Pringle Jr. also had a breakout day, rushing for 116 yards — more than doubling his season total entering the game.
Miami built a commanding 41-0 lead before coaches began rotating in reserves during the fourth quarter on Senior Day, marking the last regular-season home game for the Hurricanes.
Offensively, Miami outgained N.C. State 581 yards to 149. The Wolfpack, who entered the game ranked No. 2 in total offense in ACC matchups and averaging 454 yards per game, struggled to move the ball. Aside from a one-play drive at the end of the first half, eight of N.C. State’s first ten possessions ended in punts or interceptions.
“The highlight of our night was our punter, which is sad to say, but Caden Fordham did a tremendous job,” said N.C. State coach Dave Doeren. “Otherwise, offense and defense weren’t good enough.”
Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey completed 17 of 30 passes for 120 yards. N.C. State finally got on the scoreboard with a rush touchdown from Bailey with 2:18 remaining, extending the program’s streak of scoring in 144 consecutive games—their last shutout was on October 4, 2014.
Miami entered the week ranked 15th in the CFP rankings, the highest of any ACC team, and they are likely to move up following this convincing win.
“The way you play the game, it screams, right? Loudly,” Miami coach Mario Cristobal said.
**The Takeaway**
– **N.C. State:** The Wolfpack have now allowed 36 or more points in four straight games — the first time since a similar stretch late in the 2013 season against Duke, Boston College, East Carolina, and Maryland.
– **Miami:** The Hurricanes wrapped up their eight-game home schedule with an attendance total of 510,673 tickets distributed — a single-season record for Miami. Their average of 63,834 per game is the second-highest in program history, behind only the 2002 season, which averaged 69,539.
**Up Next**
– **N.C. State:** Hosts Florida State on Friday.
– **Miami:** Travels to Virginia Tech on November 22.
