MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Hurricanes still have a heartbeat, and on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium, it was vibrant. Whether it’s enough to preserve Manny Diaz’s job as head coach will remain to be seen as the 2021 season unfolds.
Behind a dominant performance by quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, the University of Miami won its first game since late September on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium, defeating No. 18 NC State, 31-30, and earning its first victory over a Power 5 opponent since Dec. 5.
Van Dyke completed 25 of 33 passes for 325 yards and four touchdowns, including a 21-yard completion to tight end Will Mallory on third-and-16 with about two-and-a-half-minutes left. His main target: Charleston Rambo, with nine catches for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
Before Saturday, the Canes ( 3-4, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) had lost six consecutive games against Power 5 teams.
NC State dropped to 5-2 and 2-1.
Diaz was under immense pressure to win after Miami athletic director Blake James declined to say on Friday during a phone interview if Diaz’s job was safe for the rest of the season. James told the Miami Herald he was evaluating every game in reference to the coach’s future status, and that Diaz “knows we need to win games.’’
Diaz is now 17-14 since he was named the UM head coach before the 2019 season.
The Canes have yet to string together consecutive victories this season, with their next opportunity on the road at noon next Saturday against the No. 23 Pittsburgh Panthers.
Miami gained 420 yards to NC State’s 421.
Down 17-14 at halftime, Miami began the third quarter driving 75 yards on five plays for a 5-yard touchdown to tight end Will Mallory — highlighted by a 60-yard completion from Van Dyke to Rambo on the opening play of the drive. Miami led 21-17.
NC State scored next on a 44-yard field goal to make it 21-20, and UM answered with its own field goal, a 22-yarder by Andy Borregales. UM led 24-20 with 3:22 left in the third quarter.
But the Wolfpack came right back and capped a seven-play, 79-yard drive with quarterback Devin Leary’s 17-yard touchdown rush, and NC State led again, 27-24.
Next it was Miami’s turn, as Van Dyke drove the Hurricanes 75 yards in 11 plays, the last one a 4-yard touchdown pass to Rambo. UM led 31-27.
But after NC State missed a 45-yard field-goal attempt, Bubba Bolden dove and inadvertently hit the kicker and the Wolfpack got another opportunity from the 40. This time Chris Dunn hit the left upright and the ball ricocheted through the middle for three points.
Miami’s lead was narrowed to 31-30, and the Hurricanes’ ensuing drive went nowhere.
But freshman safety Kam Kinchens saved the day for the Canes by tackling wide receiver Thayer Thomas short of a first down on third-and-8 from the NC State 46.
Miami took over with 2:49 left and sealed the victory on the completion to Mallory.
