The Miami Hurricanes football team faced a challenging matchup against ACC rival Duke on Saturday, ultimately securing a dominant 53-31 victory. The win places Miami firmly on the map as they approach the unveiling of the first College Football Playoff rankings.
Initially, the No. 5 Hurricanes (now 9-0) found themselves trailing 28-17 early in the third quarter against the Blue Devils (6-3), led by former Hurricane head coach Manny Diaz. However, Miami’s star quarterback Cam Ward, who is in the Heisman Trophy conversation, rallied the team with a series of impressive plays, particularly capitalizing on turnovers committed by Duke’s quarterback Maalik Murphy. A highlight of the game came when Xavier Restrepo scored a long touchdown, which tied the all-time Miami record for receptions and broke Santana Moss’s record for receiving yards.
Ward concluded the game with a remarkable performance, completing 25 of 41 passes for 400 yards and five touchdowns, marking the third time this season he’s achieved such yardage and the second time he’s thrown for that many touchdowns. Restrepo was a standout receiver, accumulating 146 yards on eight receptions and scoring three touchdowns. Running back Damien Martinez contributed significantly with 66 yards on 11 carries, while Mark Fletcher Jr. ran for 65 yards and a touchdown, demonstrating tremendous resilience the day after attending his father’s funeral.
Duke’s Maalik Murphy also had a commendable performance, throwing for 325 yards and three touchdowns, although his three interceptions and a fumble proved detrimental. Duke’s running back Peyton Jones totaled 132 yards and scored twice, with Sahmir Hagans leading Duke’s receiving corps with nine catches for 139 yards and a touchdown.
With this victory, Miami improved to 9-0 and 5-0 in the ACC, while Duke fell to 6-3 and 2-3. The Hurricanes are scheduled to face Georgia Tech next.
In a game marked by turnovers and a fierce back-and-forth, Miami’s ability to adapt and seize control after falling behind showed their strength and determination. These attributes are critical as they look to press on toward a potential playoff berth. Meanwhile, the achievements of key players like Ward and Restrepo not only highlight their individual talents but also bring attention to Miami’s growing football program.
In summary, Miami’s victory against Duke serves as a testament to their resilience, depth, and capacity to perform under pressure, setting a solid foundation as the season progresses toward its climax. The team’s impressive showing is a reminder of the potential they have, not just this season but for years to come.