The Miami Hurricanes showcased their resilience during Saturday’s matchup against ACC rival Duke, ultimately securing a 53-31 victory. This win bolsters the Hurricanes’ undefeated record as they improve to 9-0 ahead of the first College Football Playoff rankings announcement.
Early in the second half, Miami found itself trailing 28-17 against the Blue Devils (now 6-3), but thanks to the stellar performance of Heisman contender Cam Ward and some crucial turnovers from Duke’s quarterback Maalik Murphy, the momentum shifted. A pivotal moment in the game was a long touchdown from Xavier Restrepo, which not only clinched the win for Miami but also saw him tie the Hurricanes’ all-time reception record and surpass Santana Moss’s career receiving yards mark.
Ward had an impressive day, completing 25 of 41 passes for 400 yards and five touchdowns, marking the third occasion this season he has hit the 400-yard mark. Despite a fumble and an interception, his performance was heavily complemented by Restrepo, who led the receivers with 146 yards on eight receptions, including three touchdowns.
Duke showed promise with Murphy throwing for 325 yards and three touchdowns, but his three interceptions and fumble proved costly. Running back Peyton Jones racked up 132 total yards and two touchdowns, while Sahmir Hagans led the blue devils with nine catches for 139 yards.
As the game progressed, Miami’s defense forced critical turnovers, with the play of defensive back Jadais Richard and multiple interceptions by the Hurricanes’ secondary helping to stifle Duke’s offense. Miami’s next challenge comes against Georgia Tech this Saturday.
For fans of college football, this game was a testament to Miami’s tenacity and ability to rebound under pressure, maintaining their momentum as they gear up for more high-stakes matchups ahead.
In summary, Miami’s victory over Duke not only highlights the talents of key players like Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo but also positions the Hurricanes as a formidable team in the hunt for a playoff spot, providing hope for continued success as the season unfolds.