No. 5 Miami survives sluggish second half to beat Wake Forest

Miami Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

No. 5 Miami survives sluggish second half to beat Wake Forest

By Alan Rubenstein | Last updated Sep 19, 2026 12:04 AM ET

The Miami Hurricanes led 24-7 at halftime and scored on five of their first six drives before winning 33-20 at the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Friday night. Miami dominated Wake Forest through the first drive of the second half but had four consecutive second-half three-and-outs before holding on.

Miami quarterback Darian Mensah set multiple ACC and program records by completing his first 23 passes on Friday night. Mensah completed 30 passes in 34 attempts for 220 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Most of Mensah's yards and two of his three TD passes were in the first half.

Mensah completed 10 passes in 14 attempts for an anemic 27 yards with one TD in the second half. Miami added 48 rushing yards in the second half for 75 total yards. After 88 yards in the first half, Wake Forest had 246 yards in the second half. Wake Forest only outscored Miami 13-9 in the second half despite the yardage differential.

After scoring a TD on their first drive of the second half, Miami produced 26 total yards on its final six drives of the game. The Miami defense bent but did not break in the second half. Miami produced a safety and an interception in the fourth quarter.

The Miami defense has to finish plays and tackle better. But, they’ve definitely shown the ability to put pressure on the QB. Lots to work on and improve from tonight.
— Will Manso (@WillManso) September 19, 2026

Miami offense went from unstoppable to stagnant

Miami had 251 of its 378 total yards on its first three drives of the game. After a three-and-out on its fourth drive, Miami had 156 yards to produce a TD and a field goal on its final two drives of the first half. Wake Forest limited Malachi Toney for most of the second half, and Miami stalled offensively.

The fourth quarter was the most concerning. Wake Forest had 135 yards in the fourth quarter, and Miami had a nearly unbelievable 13. The safety came on a Wake Forest holding call in their own end zone. Ethan O'Connor intercepted Gio Lopez at the Miami four with 2:30 remaining, and the Hurricanes ran out the clock from there.

Toney finished with 12 receptions for 114 yards and a TD but was hurt in the second half. CharMar Brown sustained what looked like a serious knee injury in the first half and Mark Fletcher Jr. went out in the second half. Miami hosts Central Michigan on Sept. 25 in its next game.

Alan Rubenstein

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