Walton’s 3 TDs Help Miami Beat NC State 27-13

Miami sophomore RB Mark Walton carried the ball 19 times for 120 yards and three touchdowns in the school’s 27-13 win over NC State.

The game started off as a defensive struggle. The Pack offense stalled in the red zone, as Louis dropped a touchdown pass, setting up a 35-yard field goal for graduate kicker Connor Haskins to tie the game at three with 1:37 left in the first half.

Even the defense, which was impressive for much of the afternoon, made a major mistake near the finish that sealed the victory for Miami. It was a hard fought first half for sure.

In Saturday’s game between Miami and North Carolina State, points came at a premium in the first half. Ahmmon Richards had 117 receiving yards on nine catches.

“You lose so many close games like this, obviously, your faith gets tested, ” junior free safety Josh Jones said.

Badgley also hit from 31 yards in the first quarter, and missed a 23-yarder wide left on a day where steady, 15-mph winds had flags rippling and trees bending.

Both coaches talked about tightening up their performance in the 2nd half, and Miami lived up to that expectation.

Miami (6-4, 3-3) enters this game near the middle of the ACC in rushing defense (140.2) and holding opponents to 3.5 yards per carry, but the Hurricanes rank 13th nationally in scoring defense (19.3 points).

All the narrow setbacks for N.C. State this season have hurt. He passed 1,000 yards, giving Miami a 1,000-yard rusher for the third year in a row (Joe Yearby 2015, Duke Johnson 2014). And with it, Miami took a 10-3 lead.

NC State’s defense played well when its offense didn’t and the Wolfpack offense gained steam as the defense lost its force. Boise State transfer quarterback Ryan Finley has thrown for almost 2,500 yards with 15 touchdowns to seven interceptions in his effort to replace Jacoby Brissett under center in Raleigh. “We’ve just got to come out and do it in the game”. It was Matthew Dayes running it in from 3 yards out to make it 17 to 10. Kaaya went 22-38 on his passes for 286 yards.

2 plays later, Walton cashed it in from a yard out for his 2nd TD, and gave Miami a 17-3 lead. But NC State was backed up 16 yards on the third down because of clipping.

Then it was again Miami driving down the field.

In the last home game of his college career, senior running back Matt Dayes ran for 76 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. This forced a punt, and the Wolfpack took over at their 12-yard line. Punter Justin Vogel kicked five times and the day, four of which were downed inside the 20. “But we have to put this one to bed quickly because in six days we’re going to play our rival”.

NC State was unable to get back into the end zone or put any more points on the board.

And now Miami will try to honor its seniors with a win. This was Miami’s first win in Raleigh since 2004, when #3 Miami beat NC State 31-45.

MIAMI: A week after securing bowl eligibility for the ninth straight season, the Hurricanes closed the regular season at 4-2 on the road after managing a combined three road wins over the past two seasons – another positive sign in Richt’s first year.

Great job, Canes. Keep it going.