CANES Defeat Blue Devils in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Heisman Trophy contender Cam Ward showcased his exceptional talent on Saturday, throwing for 400 yards and five touchdowns, three of which were caught by Xavier Restrepo, as No. 5 Miami overcame a double-digit deficit to defeat Duke 53-31.
Ward’s performance was historic; he tied Steve Walsh’s single-season record for touchdown passes at Miami with 29, originally set in 1988. A pivotal moment came when Restrepo caught a 66-yard touchdown pass with 7:36 left in the game. This catch marked several milestones: Restrepo tied Mike Harley’s record for career receptions at 182 and surpassed Santana Moss’s career receiving yards record, finishing the game with 2,573 yards.
Despite the loss, Duke’s Maalik Murphy threw for 325 yards and three touchdowns but struggled with turnovers, including three interceptions and a fumble. Sahmir Hagans led the Blue Devils with nine receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown. Duke initially took a commanding 28-17 lead in the third quarter, hoping to secure its first victory over a top-5 opponent since 1960, in head coach Manny Diaz’s first game against Miami since his firing in 2021.
The Hurricanes, however, flipped the script with a dynamic second-half performance. After trailing 14-0 early in the game, Miami responded with a remarkable 36-3 scoring run over a span of just more than a quarter, highlighting their resilience as they scored five touchdowns in six drives.
Miami’s ability to rally has been a theme this season; they previously came back from deficits against Virginia Tech and California to secure victories. Ward and Restrepo’s chemistry proved crucial once again in this high-stakes matchup.
The Takeaway For Duke, the outcome emphasizes their vulnerability in high-scoring games. The Blue Devils have a dismal record of 10-40 when allowing more than 21 points since 2018, contrasting sharply with their 31-2 record when keeping opponents below that threshold.
For Miami, Ward’s impressive game moved him into fifth place on the NCAA all-time passing list, surpassing Landry Fields, and he became the first Hurricanes quarterback to achieve a 400-yard game against Duke. Restrepo’s 146-yard performance marked the highest ever by a Miami player against the Blue Devils, further solidifying his place in the program’s history.
“X” Tops List of Prestigious Receivers In U History
Miami’s star receiver Xavier Restrepo has now logged his name in Hurricanes history on Saturday, becoming the all-time leader in receiving yards after a standout performance against Duke. In the fourth quarter of Miami’s victory, Restrepo caught a 66-yard touchdown pass from Cam Ward that propelled him past legendary wideouts Reggie Wayne and Santana Moss, who previously held the record with 2,547 yards.
Restrepo’s remarkable game saw him haul in eight receptions for a total of 146 yards and three touchdowns, bringing his career total to an impressive 2,573 receiving yards. This achievement places him among an elite group of six players in Miami’s storied history to surpass the 2,000-yard mark.
As a fifth-year senior, Restrepo’s ascent to the top of the receiving charts highlights his consistency and skill, especially considering the wealth of talent that has graced Miami’s program over the years. His record-breaking achievement is a testament to his dedication and impact on the field, solidifying his legacy as one of the Hurricanes’ all-time greats.
Cool Moment of the Day
Canes Running Back Mark Fletcher Jr. took a knee in the Hard Rock Stadium end zone after scoring, pointing to the sky. It was the second TD in two weeks since his father passed. “Just a shout out to my dad, paying him respect,” Fletcher said. “It’s been a long time since he’d seen Hard Rock this packed. I know he would have loved this, this energy out here.”
