Aug 30, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz runs out onto the sphere earlier than the sport in opposition to the Elon Phoenix at Wallace Wade Stadium. Necessary Credit score: James Guillory-Imagn Photographs The sport between No. 5 Miami and visiting Duke on Saturday afternoon feels a bit private.
That is due to the presence of Manny Diaz, a Miami native who’s in his first season because the Blue Devils’ head coach.
Diaz was the Hurricanes’ defensive coordinator (2016-18) and their head coach (2019-21). Present Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal obtained a 10-year, $80 million from Miami after Diaz obtained fired.
That is simply one of many subplots of this Atlantic Coast Convention recreation in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Miami (8-0, 4-0), which is off to its greatest begin since going 10-0 to start 2017, is powered by an explosive offense and enters the sport as a giant favourite.
The Hurricanes rank No. 1 within the nation in common factors scored (46.8) and third-down-conversion share (59.8).
Miami quarterback Cam Ward is second nationally in passing touchdowns (24) and third in passing yards per recreation (343.3).
But it surely’s not simply Ward.
Miami’s Xavier Restrepo ranks second within the ACC in receiving yards (710). For his profession, he’s second in Hurricanes historical past with 174 catches and third with 2,427 receiving yards. He moved previous ex-NFL stars Reggie Wayne and Michael Irvin, respectively, in these classes. Each profession data are in sight.
At operating again, Miami depends on starter Mark Fletcher Jr., Damien Martinez and Ajay Allen, who has the velocity and strikes to interrupt drained defenses.
Final week, in a 36-14 win over Florida State, the 232-pound Martinez bruised his approach to 148 speeding yards, a 9.9-yard common and two touchdowns.
“Damien’s a troublesome dude who’s laborious to convey down,” Cristobal stated. “You are not going to arm-tackle him.”
Nonetheless, Duke’s energy is on protection, the place it ranks second within the ACC in common factors allowed (18.6). Nationally, the Blue Devils are tied with Alabama for twentieth place in that class.
The Blue Devils (6-2, 2-2) are also No. 1 within the nation in fumbles recovered (10).
The opposite fascinating matchup on Saturday is Miami’s susceptible protection — which has allowed 34 or extra factors in three of its previous 4 video games — in opposition to a shaky Duke offense that ranks tied for 14th within the league in scoring (26.0).
Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy spent his first two school seasons with the Texas Longhorns, and he appeared in seven video games (two begins) in aid of QB Quinn Ewers, finishing 40 of 71 passes for 477 yards and three touchdowns, with three interceptions.
This season, the 6-foot-5 redshirt sophomore has accomplished 58.6 p.c of his passes for 17 TDs, with 5 interceptions.
Murphy’s high playmakers are operating again Star Thomas and a pair of extensive receivers who may give Miami hassle: Eli Pancol and Jordan Moore.
Thomas has 785 scrimmage yards and 6 TDs. Pancol has 36 receptions, 446 yards and 6 TDs. And Moore has 34 catches, 481 yards and 4 TDs.
As for Diaz, 50, he is not billing it as a “revenge” recreation
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“Revenge is a poor motivation,” he stated when requested about dealing with the Hurricanes. “I discovered rather a lot at Miami. Finally, it wasn’t sufficient, however that is OK.
“I’ll say that the ACC schedule-makers have a heck of a humorousness.”
–Subject Degree Media
