The matchup between No. 5 Miami and visiting Duke on Saturday afternoon feels personal.
This is due to the presence of Manny Diaz, a native of Miami who is in his first season as the coach of the Blue Devils.
Diaz was the Hurricanes’ defensive coordinator (2016-18) and their head coach (2019-21). Current Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal received a 10-year, $80 million deal from Miami after Diaz was fired.
That’s one of the highlights of this Atlantic Coast Conference game in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Miami (8-0, 4-0), off to its best start since going 10-0 to start 2017, is powered by an explosive offense and enters the game as a heavy favorite.
The Hurricanes rank No. 1 in the nation in scoring average (46.8) and third-lowest turnover percentage (59.8).
Miami quarterback Cam Ward is second nationally in passing touchdowns (24) and third in passing yards per game (343.3).
But it’s not just Ward.
Miami’s Xavier Restrepo ranks second in the ACC in receiving yards (710). For his career, he is second in Hurricanes history with 174 catches and third with 2,427 receiving yards. He surpassed former NFL stars Reggie Wayne and Michael Irvin, respectively, in those categories. Both job records are now available.
At running back, Miami relies on starters Mark Fletcher Jr., Damien Martinez and Ajay Allen, who have speed and movement to break down tired defenses.
Last week, in a 36-14 victory over Florida State, the 232-pound Martinez mangled his way to 148 rushing yards, a 9.9-yard average and two touchdowns.
“Damien is a tough guy to take down,” Cristobal said. “You can’t hold him by the arm.”
However, Duke’s strength lies on defense, where it ranks second in the ACC in average points allowed (18.6). Nationally, the Blue Devils are tied with Alabama for 20th in that category.
The Blue Devils (6-2, 2-2) are also No. 1 in the nation in interceptions (10).
Another interesting matchup Saturday pits Miami’s vulnerable defense — which has allowed 34 or more points in three of its past four games — against a strong Duke offense that ranks 14th in the league in scoring (26.0).
Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy spent his first two college seasons with the Texas Longhorns, and appeared in seven games (two starts) in relief of QB Quinn Ewers, completing 40 of 71 passes for 477 yards and three touchdowns, three doubles.
This season, the 6-foot-5 redshirt sophomore has completed 58.6 percent of his passes for 17 TDs, with five interceptions.
Murphy’s top players are running back Star Thomas and wide receivers who could give Miami trouble: Eli Pancol and Jordan Moore.
Thomas has 785 scrimmage yards and six TDs. Pancol has 36 receptions, 446 yards and six TDs. And Moore has 34 catches, 481 yards and four TDs.
As for Diaz, 50, he’s not billing it as a “revenge” game.
.
“Revenge doesn’t motivate us well,” he said when asked about dealing with storms. “I learned a lot in Miami. In the end, it wasn’t enough, but that’s okay.
“I will say that the ACC programmers have a sense of humor.”
–Field Level Media
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