Hurricanes Answer Challenge, Earn Win Against Blue Devils

© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

MIAMI — On Nov. 2, the fifth-ranked Miami Hurricanes (9-0, 5-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) defeated the Duke Blue Devils (6-3, 2-3 ACC) 53-31 in the 21st overall meeting between the two ACC foes. In one of the toughest games on the schedule for both programs, the game also saw the return of Duke head coach Manny Diaz to South Florida, where he was head coach for the Hurricanes from 2019 to 2021. Despite a back-and-forth game, the Hurricanes pulled away and improved to 9-0 overall.

What Happened in the Game?

The Hurricanes and quarterback Cam Ward opened the scoring with a 34-yard touchdown pass to receiver Xavier Restrepo on the opening drive to take a 7-0 lead. After a punt by Duke, the Hurricanes added another touchdown when Ward connected with tight end Cam McCormick for a 4-yard TD pass to extend the lead to 14-0. Duke running back Peyton Jones put the Blue Devils on the board with an 8-yard run to make the game 14-7 after the first quarter.

The second quarter saw Duke pull into the lead with back-to-back scoring drives that were highlighted by a 27-yard pass to receiver Sahmir Hagans and a 6-yard pass to Jones. With the Hurricanes adding a 29-yard field goal by Andres Borregales, the Hurricanes trailed the Blue Devils 21-17 at halftime.

The Blue Devils received the second-half kickoff and marched 75 yards, which was highlighted by a 6-yard TD pass from quarterback Maalik Murphy to receiver Jordan Moore. The Hurricanes quickly answered with a 69-yard TD drive highlighted by a 3-yard reception for Restrepo. The Hurricanes successfully converted a 2-point conversion to make the score 28-25. After an interception from cornerback Romans Frederique, the Hurricanes added a TD on a 2-yard run by tight end Elija Lofton to take the lead 32-28 to end the third quarter.

The final quarter began with the Blue Devils marching down the field after stalling in the red zone, a 24-yard field goal by kicker Todd Pelino made the score 32-31 Hurricanes as the two teams raced to the end of the game. The Hurricanes answered with a 51-yard TD drive highlighted by a 49-yard pass from Ward to receiver Jacolby George to extend the lead to 39-31. After an interception by Ward gave the Blue Devils the ball back, a punt by Duke's Kade Reynoldson put the ball in the dangerous hands of Ward and the offense. In a quick strike, 2-play, 68-yard possession, Ward found Restrepo for a 66-yard TD to make the game 46-31 Hurricanes. Running Back Mark Fletcher Jr. added the final score on a 1-yard rush to make the score 53-31.

Players of the Game

It was a record-breaking day for Restrepo and Ward. The 66-yard TD for Restrepo moved him into the all-time lead for receiving yards (2,573) and receptions (182) for the Hurricanes. For Ward, who completed 23-of-39 passes for 371 yards and 5 touchdowns, it was his fifth TD pass that moved him into the record books tying for the most passing touchdowns in a season for the Hurricanes with 29.

What Does it All Mean?

For the Hurricanes, the strong win against a quality opponent in the Blue Devils puts them on the fast track to Charlotte and the ACC title game. Ward and Restrepo further established themselves as among the nation's best. While the Hurricanes are focused on the ACC title and the College Football Playoff, Ward's performance also puts him on a fast track to New York for the Heisman Trophy. The Hurricanes next travel to Georgia Tech (5-4, 3-3 ACC) on Nov. 9.

© Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

For the Blue Devils, the game gives them a third loss in the conference and eliminates them from any chance at the ACC Championship. The season is not lost, however, as the Blue Devils have winnable games to close out the season and finish as one of the top teams in the conference. Mental mistakes on the penalties and interceptions from Murphy will certainly be addressed as the team prepares for their game against the N.C. State Wolfpack (5-4, 2-3 ACC) on Nov. 9.