College football

Berlin's big day boosts 'Canes

QB throws for a career high 361 yards and four TDs to keep Miami in the ACC title hunt.

MIAMI - Knowing another loss would doom Miami's hopes of winning the ACC, Brock Berlin quickly ensured the Hurricanes would stay in the thick of the title chase.

Berlin threw for a career-best 361 yards and four touchdowns in just over a half Saturday, leading Miami past Wake Forest 52-7.

He set the tone for Miami's big-play bonanza by hitting Sinorice Moss with a 42-yard pass on the first play, enhanced his chances of winning conference player of the year honors and helped Miami set up a Dec. 4 showdown with Virginia Tech that may decide the league title.

"We came in this week knowing that we were going to be able to hit some big plays if we ran good routes and threw it well," said Berlin, whose previous high was a 352-yard day last season against West Virginia. "Sure enough, we made it happen."

Berlin completed 13-of-19 and threw touchdowns to four receivers. In his past seven games, Berlin has completed 55.9 percent of his passes for 1,894 yards with 19 touchdowns and two interceptions - none in his last 153 attempts.

"He kept us off balance," Wake cornerback Marcus McGruder said. "They ran great routes. He threw the ball on the money and they made big plays."

Berlin, who threw for 201 yards in the first quarter, eclipsing the total yards he had in 11 of his first 21 Miami starts, left with 8:50 remaining in the third after hitting Ryan Moore with a 10-yard touchdown that put Miami ahead 42-7.

Frank Gore rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown, and Rashaun Jones recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for another Hurricanes' score. Miami outgained Wake Forest 579-193.

"We've been down a little bit, but we're not out," coach Larry Coker said. "They fought their way back, and we're still in a good situation. ... We're down to a one-game season now."

Chris Barclay had a nifty 14-yard touchdown run late in the first half for Wake Forest, which had not lost a game by more than seven points this season.

Barclay, who entered as the ACC's leading rusher, finished with 57 yards on 18 carries for Wake Forest, which won't reach a bowl game for the fourth time in five years.

"They were definitely a different team than they were against Carolina and Clemson," Barclay said, referring to Miami's conference losses that knocked the Hurricanes from the national title picture.

"Those guys were playing with a purpose. They were out there making a statement."

The win kept alive Miami's hopes of making a fifth straight appearance in the BCS.

To claim the ACC crown, the Hurricanes need to beat Virginia Tech, then get some help to win potential three-way tiebreakers with Florida State and either Virginia or the Hokies.

[Last modified November 21, 2004, 00:16:21]