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In their second consecutive week facing a ranked opponent, the Duke Blue Devils are up against No. 5 Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. After an intense first half, Duke leads Miami 21-17 in this thrilling showdown. Here’s a breakdown of key moments and observations from the game so far:

Top Observations

1. Homecoming and Hostility: Duke head coach Manny Diaz returned to Hard Rock Stadium for the first time since his 2021 departure from Miami. Diaz, who introduced the famous turnover chain during his time with the Hurricanes, stayed focused despite the hostile crowd. His return was marked by an impressive defensive play from Mishael Powell, who intercepted an errant throw by Maalik Murphy, setting up a crucial touchdown by senior tight end Cam McCormick.

2. Air Attack from Miami: Miami’s senior quarterback Cam Ward came out strong, completing a 34-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Restrepo on his first drive. Ward’s mobility helped him extend plays, especially on this scoring play, where Restrepo found himself open after Jaylen Stinson slipped in coverage. Though Ward started hot, Duke’s defense limited him to just 138 yards by halftime.

3. Fast-Paced Offense: After struggling on their initial drives, Duke’s offense found momentum in a hurry-up sequence that saw quick completions and a 27-yard rush by Peyton Jones. This efficient drive was capped off by Jones running it into the end zone, swinging the momentum in Duke’s favor.

4. Bouncing Back from a Slow Start: Despite an early deficit, Duke’s quarterback Murphy settled down, making accurate passes and leading the Blue Devils to multiple scoring opportunities. His composure after early mistakes enabled Duke to remain competitive.

5. Costly Penalties for Miami: Miami’s undisciplined play aided Duke’s final drive of the half, with multiple penalties giving Duke an easy path down the field. Capitalizing on these errors, Murphy connected with Hagans for a touchdown pass, giving Duke a 21-17 lead at halftime.

Game Stats and Key Takeaways

• First Downs: Miami initially dominated with nine first downs compared to Duke’s single first down, largely due to Ward’s playmaking. However, Duke’s offense found rhythm as the second quarter began, turning early struggles into sustained drives.

• Total Plays and Possession: Although the score was close, Miami ran 42 plays to Duke’s 30, controlling the clock with slow, methodical drives. In contrast, Duke relied on explosive plays, leading to a time-of-possession deficit but more efficient scoring drives.

• Tackles for Loss: Duke’s defense tallied five tackles for loss, keeping pressure on Miami’s offense. Wesley Williams’ third-and-goal sack forced Miami to settle for a field goal rather than a touchdown, helping Duke hold onto its lead.

A Pivotal Play

Duke’s quick-strike approach continued into the second quarter as Murphy connected with Hagans on a crucial third down, who, aided by a key block from Eli Pancol, broke free for an untouched score. This play not only tied the game but swung momentum in Duke’s favor.