Around the ACC Week 7: Miami Survives as Wake Forest Rolls
Miami needed two overtimes against Florida State, Wake Forest overwhelmed Cal, and injuries reshaped several ACC quarterback and backfield situations.
By Ryan Coacher · Published
CFBDepth's Around the Conferences series turns to all nine ACC games from Week 7, including the personnel developments that carry into the next slate. NC State had the week off. Across the league, several of the biggest questions concern who will be available at quarterback, running back and in the secondary.
Miami Survives Florida State’s Last Push
Miami 43, Florida State 35 (2OT)
Malachi Toney supplied both parts of Miami’s decisive possession: a 3-yard touchdown catch from Darian Mensah, followed by a two-point pass to Cooper Barkate. Florida State still had a chance to answer in the second overtime, but a holding penalty erased a potential touchdown before Bryce Fitzgerald intercepted the final fourth-down throw. The Hurricanes escaped at 6–0 overall and 4–0 in the ACC.
Getting there required Miami to absorb repeated responses from Ashton Daniels and Duce Robinson. Daniels threw for 298 yards and four touchdowns, adding another score on the ground. Robinson caught five passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns, including the 75-yard strike that tied regulation at 28 and a 20-yard score to open overtime. Florida State had also led 21–14 in the third quarter after Ashlynd Barker’s end-zone interception and a fourth-down stop interrupted Miami’s offense.
The Hurricanes eventually produced enough on the ground to complement Mensah’s 326 passing yards. Javian Mallory rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns, including the first-overtime answer, while Mark Fletcher Jr. added 66. Miami finished with 257 rushing yards and 583 overall. Toney’s 11 catches for 154 yards gave Mensah a dependable target through the changes in momentum. The concern was how much work Miami left itself: penalties helped hand Florida State a short touchdown drive before halftime, and the defense surrendered the tying 75-yard pass immediately after its offense had regained the lead.
Florida State’s larger personnel loss was running back Ousmane Kromah, whose lower-leg injury required surgery after the game. The program confirmed he will miss the remainder of the season. Quintrevion Wisner supplied 63 rushing yards and another 56 receiving against Miami, making the distribution of backfield work a central issue after the bye. Miami received a better update: Mario Cristobal said Fitzgerald and Fletcher were available for Pittsburgh after both returned from interruptions against FSU.
Wake Forest Secures Bowl Eligibility as Barry Breaks Through
Wake Forest 41, California 7
Wake Forest's opening possession covered 99 yards. Its next three possessions also ended in touchdowns. By halftime, the Demon Deacons led 34–0, and a trip across the country had become one of their most convincing performances of the season. The win secured bowl eligibility at 6–1 overall and moved Wake to 4–1 in the ACC.
Gio Lopez completed 16 of 23 passes for 267 yards and four touchdowns, adding 51 yards on the ground. The breakthrough belonged to tight end Dominick Barry, who turned four catches into 102 yards and three touchdowns after entering the game without a career touchdown reception. Jack Foley caught the other scoring pass, and Wake finished with 509 yards, including 220 rushing.
Barry's contribution was especially useful with Carlos Hernandez limited by an existing injury. Hernandez tried to play but lasted only a few snaps, according to Jake Dickert's postgame explanation. Wake now has a bye to work on his recovery, along with evidence that Lopez can produce through other targets. The defense also had to adjust early when safety Davaughn Patterson was ejected for targeting. Myles Turpin answered with 10 tackles. Eleven penalties for 110 yards remain a substantial cleanup item even after such a comfortable win.
Cal left the game with its quarterback decision unresolved. Jackson Brousseau started with Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele available, but completed 17 of 29 passes for only 81 yards. Sagapolutele entered with the Bears down 41–0 and went 15 of 18 for 110 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown to Mason Mini. His relief work came against a defense protecting an enormous lead. Subsequent reporting from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz indicated Sagapolutele is expected to start against SMU.
The problems extended beyond quarterback. Cal allowed 220 rushing yards, recorded no sacks or takeaways, and converted one of four fourth-down attempts. Center Bastian Swinney left in the first quarter and running back Ashten Emory in the third, with neither returning. Emory was off the October 21 availability report, while Swinney remained questionable and Adam Mohammed and Carter Vargas were still out. At 3–4 overall and 2–2 in conference play, Cal needs better protection and more productive possessions around its quarterback.
North Carolina Reclaims the Bell With One More Drive
North Carolina 24, Duke 20
North Carolina needed eight plays to rescue a lead it had spent most of the afternoon losing. Down 20–17, Billy Edwards Jr. converted fourth-and-four from his own 28 with a 12-yard completion to Jelani Thurman. Jaylen McGill finished the possession with a 24-yard touchdown run with 1:53 left, and Kenton Dopson III intercepted Walker Eget on Duke’s final drive to bring the Victory Bell back to Chapel Hill.
The Tar Heels had led 17–0 early in the second quarter, helped by Calvin Thomas’s blocked punt, before two lost fumbles and a breakdown in the punt operation opened the door. Andrew Pellicciotta returned Jordan Shipp’s fumble nine yards for Duke’s first touchdown. McGill later lost the ball at the Duke 9. With Aeron Burrell sidelined by a back issue, replacement punter Adam McCann-Gibbs dropped a snap and was tackled for a loss, giving Duke the short field for Nate Sheppard’s go-ahead touchdown catch.
Duke’s missed opportunities near the goal line were just as consequential. Three possessions that reached inside the UNC 5 produced six points: Greg Smith III stopped CJ Campbell Jr. on fourth down, and two other drives ended in short field goals. Sheppard remained heavily involved despite entering with an ankle concern, producing 77 rushing yards and 11 catches for 98 yards. Eget threw for 249 yards, and Duke outgained Carolina 373–326, but the defense could not protect its late advantage.
McGill’s 75 yards on 12 carries came after Benjamin Hall left early with an injury; Demon June added 49 yards and a touchdown on 13 attempts. That shared workload matters heading into Syracuse. Hall, defensive back Peyton Waters and Burrell appeared as questionable on the initial availability report, along with Shipp. Carolina’s win supplied evidence that McGill can carry a decisive possession, while the health report leaves the next game’s rotation unsettled. UNC improved to 4–2 and 2–1 in the ACC; Duke slipped to 4–2 and 1–2.
Boston College Finds Its Finish; Pitt Keeps Settling
Boston College 27, Pittsburgh 21
Boston College’s first ACC win began with almost everything going wrong. Corey Dailey found Cataurus Hicks for a 75-yard touchdown on Pitt’s opening snap, and a blocked punt produced a safety before the Panthers stretched their lead to 12–0. The Eagles recovered with a 75-yard touchdown drive, then took a 14–12 halftime lead on Mason McKenzie’s 11-yard pass to Javarius Green. BC never trailed again, reaching 3–3 overall and 1–2 in the conference.
McKenzie supplied the explosive plays that separated two offenses otherwise nearly even in total yardage. He threw for a career-high 295 yards and two touchdowns, with Landon Wright turning his only two receptions into 122 yards. Wright’s 69-yard touchdown opened the third quarter; his 53-yard catch set up Evan Dickens’ fourth-quarter scoring run. Two McKenzie interceptions kept the finish uncomfortable, but Charlie Comella intercepted Dailey with 1:34 remaining to end Pitt’s final opportunity.
Pitt’s 199 rushing yards offered a workable foundation for a freshman quarterback making his first career start. Damon Ferguson Jr. contributed 119, but three giveaways and 13 penalties for 133 yards repeatedly undermined the offense. Antonio Chadha made four field goals; the Panthers never reached the end zone again after their opening play. Dailey finished 11-of-25 for 193 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. With Mason Heintschel already out for the season following an ACL tear, Pitt’s quarterback uncertainty now sits alongside a larger need to finish drives and avoid damaging penalties.
The Eagles also left with a backfield concern. Dickens suffered a leg injury and was subsequently listed unavailable for Georgia Tech on the October 21 availability report. That makes Bo MacCormack III, who scored BC’s opening touchdown, a natural candidate for additional work. McKenzie and Wright gave the passing game a productive afternoon, but replacing Dickens’ carries becomes the next practical test of the offense’s progress.
SMU Gets the Kicks and the Late Conversion It Needs
SMU 23, Virginia 13
Virginia kept SMU within reach for three quarters, but the Mustangs found enough answers in a game that demanded more from their kicking unit. Brendan Baird made all three field-goal attempts, including a 45-yarder on an untimed down to end the first half. Billy Koudelka’s roughing-the-passer penalty created that opportunity, turning what could have been a 10–10 halftime tie into a 13–10 SMU lead. The Mustangs improved to 5–1 overall and 3–1 in the ACC.
Kevin Jennings finished 23-of-36 for 246 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. His most important escape came on third-and-10 early in the fourth quarter: Jennings eluded pressure from Matthew Fobbs-White and found Jalen Hale for a 37-yard touchdown that established the final margin. Kendrick Raphael added 124 rushing yards, while SMU converted four of five fourth-down attempts. The Mustangs accumulated 404 yards, enough sustained production to keep Virginia defending even when drives ended short of the end zone.
The Cavaliers had chances to change that pattern. After stopping SMU on fourth down in Mustang territory to open the game, Virginia lost possession when Beau Pribula fumbled on third-and-goal from the 5. Pribula later scored on a one-yard fourth-down run, but that remained Virginia’s only touchdown. He passed for 137 yards, and the Cavaliers finished with 258 total. Jekail Middlebrook led them with 59 rushing yards, although 12 of his 14 carries came before halftime. Two three-and-outs to begin the second half left Virginia struggling to recover its earlier rhythm.
Availability remains a substantial concern for the Cavaliers, now 4–3 and 2–2. Starting safety Ethan Minter left early in the third quarter and did not return, further thinning a secondary already without Brandyn Hillman and Corey Costner. Minter was subsequently ruled out for Duke. Fobbs-White’s five quarterback hurries and a sack helped keep Saturday competitive, but Virginia still needs more offensive production alongside that defensive resistance. SMU also paid a substantial personnel cost: Rhett Lashlee confirmed Tuesday that safety Tyren Polley Jr. would miss the rest of the season after tearing a pectoral muscle against Virginia.
Virginia Tech’s Fast Start Survives a Georgia Tech Rally
Virginia Tech 34, Georgia Tech 24
Virginia Tech built its cushion with Que’Sean Brown and Ethan Grunkemeyer, then needed Jeffrey Overton Jr. to stop Georgia Tech’s comeback. Brown caught a 60-yard touchdown on the opening possession and finished with six receptions for 182 yards. Grunkemeyer threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score, sending the Hokies into halftime ahead 24–3. When Georgia Tech cut that margin to seven early in the third quarter, Overton’s 26-yard touchdown reception restored some breathing room.
The Yellow Jackets had enough offense to make the first-half mistakes expensive. Alberto Mendoza completed 29 of 38 passes for a career-high 335 yards and two touchdowns, with Jordan Allen catching 10 for 120. Trelain Maddox ran for 96 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown, while carrying the backfield workload with Justice Haynes and Malachi Hosley already sidelined by injuries. Maddox’s opening-drive fumble near the goal line, forced by Thomas Williams, went out of the end zone for a touchback and cost Georgia Tech an early opportunity to answer Brown’s touchdown.
There was a credible defensive response after halftime. Georgia Tech finished with five sacks and held Brown to one catch for two yards over the final two quarters. But return mistakes left the offense backed up during its comeback, and a missed field goal in the fourth quarter removed another chance to close the gap. After the Jackets scored with 5:20 remaining, Virginia Tech kept the ball until time expired.
Overton finished with 85 rushing yards and 114 from scrimmage, giving the Hokies production beyond Brown’s big plays. Aycen Stevens contributed 1.5 sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss, and Quentin Reddish added an interception. Virginia Tech moved to 5–2 and evened its ACC record at 2–2, although the five sacks allowed and second-half passing slowdown remain concerns. Georgia Tech fell to 2–4 and 1–2; its improved passing production and Maddox’s workload offer something to build on, provided the early possession errors are corrected.
Louisville’s Defense Protects a Lead Its Offense Built
Louisville 34, Syracuse 26
Louisville produced 367 yards before halftime and only 58 afterward. That split explains why a game full of early scoring became a demanding defensive assignment for the Cardinals. Lincoln Kienholz threw for 310 yards and one touchdown, ran for two more scores and delivered an 82-yard touchdown run, the longest by a quarterback in program history. His 46-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Brown with 28 seconds left in the second quarter put Louisville ahead 28–23 at the break.
Syracuse had enough offense to win. Umari Hatcher caught 13 passes for 224 yards and a touchdown, while Ahmad Miller rushed for 123 yards and a score. Malachi Nelson passed for 315 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Orange finish with a 462–425 yardage advantage. Davien Kerr intercepted Kienholz twice, and Syracuse repeatedly forced punts after halftime. The Orange had done the defensive work required to reverse the result.
Three second-half giveaways prevented that reversal. Tyler Thompson recovered Nelson’s fumble inside the Louisville 10, Kaleb Beasley intercepted him on the next Syracuse possession, and Cam White’s fourth-quarter interception set up Keyjuan Brown’s second rushing touchdown. That five-yard score stretched the lead from two points to eight with 7:34 remaining. Louisville then stopped Syracuse on fourth down on its final two possessions. Thompson finished with two sacks and three tackles for loss as the Cardinals collected five sacks and held the Orange to 3-of-14 on third down.
The quarterback situation added another setback for Syracuse, which fell to 2–4 and 0–4 in conference play. Nelson left late with an injury, and Danny Lauter handled the final possession. The October 21 availability report subsequently listed Nelson out against North Carolina, alongside Amari Odom, with Steve Angeli questionable. Louisville enters its bye at 4–3 and 3–2 with a road win secured, although its second-half offensive stall gives the coaching staff a clear issue to address.
Clemson's Defense Delivers a Shutout While the Passing Game Develops
Clemson 37, Charleston Southern 0
Clemson gave Charleston Southern almost no room to operate. The Buccaneers finished with 76 total yards, six first downs and no conversions in 11 third-down attempts. They gained only six yards after halftime. Caden Story contributed three of Clemson's 13 tackles for loss as the Tigers posted their first shutout since 2021 and improved to 4–2.
The offense had a productive ground game behind that defensive control. Chris Johnson Jr. scored his first two rushing touchdowns as a Tiger, Gideon Davidson added another, and Clemson finished with 231 rushing yards. Christian Bentancur led the receivers with four catches for 74 yards. Kylon Griffin's 17-yard return of a kickoff fumble supplied another touchdown, while Nolan Hauser made field goals from 41, 44 and 59 yards. The last of those was his career long and the second-longest field goal in school history.
Tait Reynolds made his fourth consecutive start and completed 17 of 26 passes for 127 yards, with another 40 on the ground. Clemson had enough elsewhere to win comfortably, but the passing attack still left room for improvement. Trent Pearman threw two interceptions in relief, and the Tigers managed only three points after halftime.
Christopher Vizzina was available but did not play while continuing to recover from his elbow injury. On Tuesday, Dabo Swinney reported improvement in Vizzina's practice work and reaffirmed Reynolds as the starter. Receiver Tristan Smith was helped off after a fourth-quarter collision; Swinney said afterward that he expected Smith to be all right. Virginia Tech provides the next test of whether Clemson can turn its rushing production and defensive pressure into a more complete conference performance.
Micah Ford Carries Stanford Past Elon
Stanford 34, Elon 7
Micah Ford supplied the finishing Stanford needed after a scoreless first quarter. He rushed 19 times for 179 yards and four touchdowns, matching the program's single-game rushing touchdown record, and added five catches for 52 yards. His 81-yard scoring run in the fourth quarter completed a 231-yard day from scrimmage and helped the Cardinal improve to 3–4.
Ford's first three touchdowns came from one, seven and five yards, giving Stanford production near the goal line before the long run. Davis Warren completed 27 of 39 passes for 279 yards without an interception, including a 27-yard touchdown to Sedrick Irvin. JonAnthony Hall added five catches for 70 yards, and Stanford's 222 rushing yards were its most in a home game since 2018.
The afternoon still left specific problems to address. Emmet Kenney missed a 35-yard field goal and an extra point, while Irvin lost a fumble through the end zone. Elon also rushed for 220 yards, with Kamerin McDowell-Moore accounting for 164. Stanford limited the Phoenix to 52 passing yards, but allowing 6.5 yards per rush against an FCS opponent gives NC State a clear area to examine before Friday's meeting.
Ford's second ACC Running Back of the Week award reflects how central he has become to this offense. He handled short-yardage scoring, contributed as a receiver and supplied the longest play of the game. Stanford can build around that range of responsibilities while working to make its run defense and kicking operation more reliable.
Where Week 7 Leaves the ACC Race
Miami emerged at 4–0 in conference play, with Wake Forest at 4–1 and SMU at 3–1. The Hurricanes protected their position in a rivalry game that repeatedly threatened to get away. Wake's win showed the depth of its passing options, while SMU combined a productive running game with reliable kicking to avoid its own stumble.
The next conference slate begins Friday, October 23, with Duke at Virginia and NC State returning from its bye at Stanford. Saturday brings Pittsburgh to Miami, California to SMU, Boston College to Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech to Clemson and Syracuse to North Carolina. Wake Forest, Florida State and Louisville have open dates.
Availability will shape several of those games. BC must account for Dickens' absence, Virginia is short in the secondary, Syracuse has multiple quarterbacks on the report, and Cal is preparing for a reported quarterback change while monitoring Swinney’s availability. For the teams coming off wins, the useful follow-through is more specific: Miami must reduce the explosive plays it allows, Louisville must sustain its offense after halftime, and North Carolina must find a steadier special-teams operation.
