Miami Holds Off North Carolina to Stay Undefeated

Miami needed a late push to avoid an upset, as North Carolina took a 28-24 lead in the fourth quarter. The Hurricanes answered with Mark Fletcher Jr.’s 2-yard touchdown run on fourth down, putting Miami ahead with 7:49 remaining. It was Fletcher’s third touchdown of the game.

The Tar Heels had a chance to respond, but Marquise Lightfoot knocked the ball loose from quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. as he tried to throw, and Justin Scott recovered for Miami with 5:33 left. The turnover helped the Hurricanes extend their advantage: Darian Mensah connected with Malachi Toney for a 9-yard touchdown, making it 38-28 with 2:33 to play.

Edwards threw a touchdown to Trech Kekahuna late in the game, but Miami recovered North Carolina’s onside kick attempt and ran out the clock. The Tar Heels had two earlier attempts to recover an onside kick wiped out by penalties. North Carolina is now 0-12 against teams ranked No. 1.

Mensah went 22-for-29, throwing for 274 yards and three scores. Edwards threw for 341 yards and four touchdowns, but lost the fumble. Miami improved to 6-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play and will visit No. 5 Notre Dame next Saturday.