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 Pictures 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 received a 10-year, $80 million from Miami after Diaz received fired.
That is simply one of many subplots of this Atlantic Coast Convention sport 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 proportion (59.8).
Miami quarterback Cam Ward is second nationally in passing touchdowns (24) and third in passing yards per sport (343.3).
However it’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 information are in sight.
At working again, Miami depends on starter Mark Fletcher Jr., Damien Martinez and Ajay Allen, who has the pace and strikes to interrupt drained defenses.
Final week, in a 36-14 win over Florida State, the 232-pound Martinez bruised his solution to 148 speeding yards, a 9.9-yard common and two touchdowns.
“Damien’s a troublesome dude who’s onerous to convey down,” Cristobal stated. “You are not going to arm-tackle him.”
Nonetheless, Duke’s power 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 weak 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 working again Star Thomas and a pair of large receivers who might give Miami bother: 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” sport
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“Revenge is a poor motivation,” he stated when requested about going through the Hurricanes. “I realized loads 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.”
–Discipline Stage Media