Duke Blue Devils Football vs Miami Hurricanes Football Match Player Stats

The Duke Blue Devils Football vs Miami Hurricanes Football Match Player Stats faced off on November 2, 2024, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, in a thrilling Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) showdown. The No. 5-ranked Miami Hurricanes emerged victorious with a 53-31 scoreline, keeping their undefeated 9-0 record intact, while Duke fell to 6-3. This game was packed with standout performances, record-breaking moments, and momentum swings that kept fans on the edge of their seats. In this article, we’ll dive into the key player stats, highlight the stars of the game, and break down what made this matchup so exciting, all in a way that’s easy to read and understand for fans of all ages.

Game Overview: A Tale of Two Halves

The Duke Blue Devils came out swinging, taking a surprising 28-17 lead in the third quarter against the heavily favored Hurricanes. However, Miami’s high-powered offense, led by Heisman hopeful Cam Ward, roared back, scoring 36 of the game’s final 39 points to secure the win. Both teams showcased impressive individual performances, with Miami’s passing game and Duke’s balanced attack stealing the show. Let’s break down the player stats to see who made the biggest impact.

Key Team Duke Blue Devils Football vs Miami Hurricanes Football Match Player Stats

• Miami Hurricanes: 526 total yards (400 passing, 126 rushing), 7.3 yards per play, 6/12 on third downs, 4 turnovers forced.

• Duke Blue Devils: 405 total yards (325 passing, 80 rushing), 6.0 yards per play, 5/13 on third downs, 2 turnovers forced.

• Time of Possession: Miami 31:51, Duke 28:09.

These numbers tell the story of Miami’s explosive offense overpowering Duke’s defense in the second half, while Duke’s early efficiency and turnover-forcing defense kept them in the game longer than expected. Now, let’s look at the standout players on both sides.

Miami Hurricanes: Offensive Firepower

Cam Ward – Quarterback

Cam Ward, Miami’s star quarterback, had a day for the record books. He completed 25 of 41 passes for 400 yards, threw 5 touchdowns, and had 1 interception. Ward also ran for 1 yard on 3 carries and scored a two-point conversion. His performance tied the Hurricanes’ single-season record for touchdown passes (29, matching Steve Walsh’s 1988 mark) and set a new single-season total touchdown record with 33 (passing and rushing combined), surpassing Malik Rosier’s 2017 record of 31.

Ward’s ability to rally the team from an 11-point deficit in the third quarter was crucial. His 400-yard game was the first by a Miami quarterback against Duke, and his five touchdown passes showcased why he’s a Heisman contender. Key moments included a 34-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Restrepo in the first quarter, a 49-yard strike to Jacolby George in the fourth, and a 66-yard record-setting touchdown to Restrepo late in the game.

Xavier Restrepo – Wide Receiver

Xavier Restrepo was the heart of Miami’s passing attack, hauling in 8 receptions for 146 yards and 3 touchdowns. His performance was historic, as he:

• Tied Mike Harley’s Miami career reception record with 182 catches.

• Broke Santana Moss’s career receiving yards record with 2,573 yards.

• Scored a 66-yard touchdown that cemented his place in Hurricanes history.

Restrepo’s chemistry with Ward was evident, especially on the 66-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that helped seal the game. His 146 yards were the most by a Hurricane against Duke, and his 3 touchdowns tied for the game’s highest. With 51 catches for 856 yards and 9 touchdowns on the season, Restrepo is on pace to potentially become the first Miami receiver with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.

Other Offensive Standouts

• Cam McCormick – Tight End: Caught a 4-yard touchdown pass, one of his three touchdown catches this season on just four receptions. His score in the first quarter helped Miami jump to a 14-0 lead.

• Elijah Lofton – Tight End: Scored a 2-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter, giving Miami a 32-28 lead that they wouldn’t relinquish.

• Mark Fletcher Jr. – Running Back: Contributed to the ground game and was a key part of Miami’s emotional narrative, playing the day after his father’s memorial service.

• Damien Martinez – Running Back: Helped set up key drives, including a 6-yard run before Lofton’s touchdown.

Miami’s offense averaged 7.3 yards per play, showcasing their ability to make big plays when it mattered most. Their second-half surge, scoring 36 points, was a testament to their depth and Ward’s leadership.

Duke Blue Devils: A Balanced Attack

Maalik Murphy – Quarterback

Duke’s redshirt sophomore quarterback, Maalik Murphy, put up a valiant effort against Miami’s defense. He completed 25 of 41 passes for 325 yards, threw 3 touchdowns, and had 2 interceptions and a fumble. Despite the turnovers, Murphy’s 325 yards were a career high, and his ability to make big plays kept Duke competitive. Notable moments included:

• A 27-yard touchdown pass to Sahmir Hagans in the second quarter to tie the game at 14-14.

• A 6-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Moore in the third quarter, giving Duke a 28-17 lead.

• A 6-yard touchdown pass to Peyton Jones in the second quarter.

Murphy’s quick release (noted as the fastest snap-to-pass time in the ACC) helped him avoid sacks, as Duke allowed the fewest sacks in the nation entering the game. However, his three turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble) were costly, leading to 21 points for Miami.

Peyton Jones – Running Back

Sophomore running back Peyton Jones was a dual-threat weapon for Duke, accumulating 152 all-purpose yards. He rushed for 78 yards on 13 carries, including an 8-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and caught a 6-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. His 40-yard reception in the second quarter set up a scoring drive, and his 27-yard rush helped spark Duke’s hurry-up offense. Jones’s versatility kept Miami’s defense on its heels early in the game.

Sahmir Hagans – Wide Receiver

Redshirt junior wide receiver Sahmir Hagans had a career day, catching 9 of 12 targets for 139 yards and a touchdown. His 27-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter tied the game, and his 21-yard catch-and-run set up another score. Hagans exploited gaps in Miami’s secondary, showcasing his ability to create separation and serve as Murphy’s go-to target.

Jordan Moore – Wide Receiver

Jordan Moore added to Duke’s passing attack with 6 receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown. His 6-yard score in the third quarter came on a critical fourth-and-1 play, and his 27-yard catch earlier in the game helped him surpass 2,000 career receiving yards, becoming the 12th Blue Devil to reach that milestone. Moore’s consistency (34 consecutive games with a reception) was a bright spot for Duke.

Other Offensive Contributors

• Star Thomas – Running Back: Led Duke with 681 rushing yards on the season but was limited in this game due to Miami’s defensive adjustments in the second half.

• Eli Pancol – Wide Receiver: Caught 6 passes and has a streak of 23 consecutive games with a reception, including 6 touchdown catches this season.

Duke’s offense showed flashes of brilliance, averaging 6.0 yards per play and scoring 31 points, their highest total against a Power Four opponent this season. However, their second-half struggles, with only 3 points, highlighted Miami’s defensive adjustments.

Defensive Highlights

Miami Hurricanes

Miami’s defense struggled early, allowing 210 yards and 21 points in the first half, but they turned things around in the second half, holding Duke to 118 yards and 3 points. Key performers included:

• Mishael Powell – Safety: Intercepted a pass in the first quarter, setting up a short field for Miami’s second touchdown.

• OJ Frederique Jr. – Cornerback: Grabbed his first career interception in the third quarter, returning it 30 yards to spark a Miami touchdown drive.

• Jadais Richard – Cornerback: Recorded an interception in the fourth quarter but left the game with a lower-body injury.

• Akheem Mesidor – Defensive Lineman: Recovered a fumble that led to a Miami scoring opportunity.

Miami forced four turnovers (three interceptions, one fumble recovery), their highest total since November 2022, and converted them into 21 points. Their second-half dominance, including two three-and-outs, was pivotal in flipping the game’s momentum.

Duke Blue Devils

Duke’s defense, ranked second nationally in turnovers gained (19) entering the game, lived up to its reputation early. They forced two Miami turnovers (an interception by Chandler Rivers and a fumble recovery by David Stone) and recorded 6.0 tackles for loss. Standout performers included:

• Chandler Rivers – Cornerback: Picked off a Cam Ward pass in the fourth quarter, his third interception of the season, and broke up three passes.

• Ozzie Nicholas – Linebacker: Led Duke with 10 tackles, showcasing his ability to stop Miami’s run game.

• Terry Moore – Safety: Recorded 9 tackles and was a key part of Duke’s secondary.

• Vincent Anthony Jr. – Defensive End: Led Duke with 5.0 tackles for loss in ACC play this season, though his impact was quieter against Miami’s quick-passing offense.

Duke’s defense forced Miami into consecutive three-and-outs for the first time all season, but they couldn’t sustain their pressure as Miami’s offense exploded in the second half.

Special Teams Duke Blue Devils Football vs Miami Hurricanes Football Match Player Stats

• Miami: Kicker Andres Borregales was perfect, hitting a 29-yard field goal and all extra points. Punter Dylan Joyce pinned Duke deep, aiding the defense.

• Duke: Kicker Todd Pelino made a 24-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, but a muffed punt hurt their field position.

Both teams had solid special teams play, but Miami’s ability to capitalize on short fields (like after Powell’s interception) gave them an edge.

Why This Duke Blue Devils Football vs Miami Hurricanes Football Match Player Stats Mattered

This matchup was more than just a game—it was a clash of narratives. Miami, under coach Mario Cristobal, continued their quest for an ACC title and a College Football Playoff berth. Duke, led by former Miami coach Manny Diaz, showed they could compete with top teams but struggled to maintain their early lead. The game also highlighted individual milestones:

• Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo etched their names in Miami’s record books.

• Duke’s Maalik Murphy and Sahmir Hagans proved they could shine against elite competition.

• Miami’s 9-0 start marked their best since 2017, while Duke’s 6-3 record kept them in contention for a strong bowl game.

Duke Blue Devils Football vs Miami Hurricanes Football Match Player Stats Table

Here’s a simplified table summarizing the key player stats for easy reference:

What’s Next?

Miami (9-0, 5-0 ACC) heads to Georgia Tech, aiming to keep their perfect record alive. Duke (6-3, 2-3 ACC) travels to NC State, looking to rebound against a tough Wolfpack defense. Both teams showed they have the talent to compete at a high level, but Miami’s second-half dominance and playmakers like Ward and Restrepo proved the difference in this game.

Final Thoughts

The Duke Blue Devils Football vs Miami Hurricanes Football Match Player Stats was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Duke’s early lead giving way to Miami’s relentless comeback. Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo’s record-breaking performances, paired with Miami’s opportunistic defense, turned the tide, while Duke’s Maalik Murphy, Peyton Jones, and Sahmir Hagans showed they can hang with the best. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just love a good football game, this clash had something for everyone—big plays, heart, and history in the making.