MIAMI GARDENS — Make no mistake about it: the Miami Hurricanes’ 31-30 win over N.C. State on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium won’t silence the noise surrounding coach Manny Diaz’s job security after UM’s disappointing start.
But at least for one weekend, the Hurricanes and Diaz can put all of the chatter and rumors to the side, and take in the joy that comes from pulling out the win in the type of game they’ve lost in recent weeks.
After exchanging leads with the Wolfpack five times during Saturday’s game, including twice in the fourth quarter, Miami’s defense came through with the stop the team needed when true freshman safety Kam Kinchens tackled Wolfpack wide receiver Thayer Thomas 2 yards short of the first down on fourth-and-8 to force a turnover on downs with 2:49 left in the game.