No. 5 Miami defeated Wake Forest 33-20 on the road in a game marked by a historic performance from Hurricanes quarterback Darian Mensah. The Duke transfer established himself as one of the league’s most efficient passers by completing his first 24 attempts of the evening without an incompletion.
Mensah’s perfect start through the air shattered the ACC’s single-game record for consecutive completions, which had stood at 18 since 2012 when Virginia’s Michael Rocco achieved the mark. The record was subsequently matched by North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky in 2016 and Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence in 2019. Extending his streak over multiple contests, Mensah reached 35 consecutive completions dating back to Miami’s Week 2 matchup against Florida A&M, surpassing the previous ACC multiple-game benchmark of 30 holds by Trubisky. His performance came within two completions of the FBS single-game record of 26 set by East Carolina’s Dominique Davis in 2011, and one short of Davis’s multiple-game FBS record of 36 consecutive completions.
Miami’s offensive attack was methodical in the opening half, with Mensah employing frequent short and checkdown passes against Wake Forest’s soft zone coverage. This approach generated three consecutive touchdown drives covering 79 yards or more, beginning with a 14-play, 92-yard opening possession that consumed more than half of the first quarter. An apparent incompletion early in the second quarter was negated when defensive end Gabe Kirschke was penalized for roughing the passer, allowing Mensah’s streak to continue.
Entering the contest, Mensah held the national lead in completion percentage at 91.1 percent on 41 of 45 passing attempts for 653 yards with eight touchdowns. Against Wake Forest, he completed 30 of 34 attempts for 88 percent accuracy, 220 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Sophomore receiver Malachi Toney emerged as his primary target, accumulating 10 receptions for over 100 yards in the first half alone before seeing limited action in the second half due to upper body soreness.
Miami faced increased difficulties after halftime as Wake Forest adjusted its defensive scheme, generating five consecutive three-and-outs. The Hurricanes also contended with mounting injuries, including running back CharMar Brown requiring a cart exit in the first half following an apparent knee injury, and leading rusher Mark Fletcher Jr. departing during the second half.
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