On Saturday, Duke will look to snap a three-game losing streak on the road at Miami. A victory would be crucial for two teams running out of time to notch the six wins required to be eligible for a bowl game.
Last season, in their 28-13 loss to Miami, Duke was unable to maintain possession of the ball, recording seven turnovers, including five interceptions.
“We don’t have much margin for error [this year],” Duke head coach David Cutcliffe said. “When the margin of error is not as great, you’ve got to perform at a high level…sometimes near perfect.”
The Blue Devils (3-5, 1-3 in the ACC) have been perfect outside of Durham, winning at Boston College and in Miami against Florida International.
“We love away games,” senior tight end Danny Parker said. “There’s nothing like going on the road…. The opposing crowd booing you, talking trash to you... that adds that extra incentive to go out there and play well.”
Duke’s defense has been nearly perfect in the second half of the last two games, allowing only one touchdown to Wake Forest and shutting out Virginia Tech. Still though, the Blue Devils lost both games due to major first-half woes.
“It doesn’t help that we’ve gotten off to slow starts,” quarterback Sean Renfree said. “A lot of it is lack of execution, lack of focus, especially offensively.”
The Hurricanes (4-4, 2-3), who have yet to score less than 21 points in a game this season, sport a balanced offensive attack led by senior quarterback Jacory Harris. Harris has totaled 1,555 yards and 15 touchdowns in seven games, and his pass efficiency rating of 161.8 ranks second in the ACC and 10th in the nation.
One of Harris’ favorite targets is junior wide receiver Tommy Streeter. Streeter averages more than 75 yards per game and over 20 yards per catch to go along with seven touchdowns.
Miami also has a solid running game led by sophomore running back Lamar Miller, who is second in the ACC with his 108.6 yards-per-game average.
Senior linebacker Sean Spence anchors the Hurricanes’ defense. Spence, a preseason second-team All-American, is the ACC’s active career leader in tackles-for-loss. His 10.71 total tackles per game rank him second in the ACC and 12th nationally.
Despite the exceptional offensive output, Miami sports just a .500 record behind a lack of consistency and leadership.
“[The coaches] lost [the players’] attention a little bit,” Hurricanes head coach Al Golden said. “Everybody [is] always trying to move forward… think[ing] the next big game is Florida State. No, the next big game is Duke.”
During the last four seasons, though, the Blue Devils have gone just 1-12 in November.
“This is when you want to be a football player,” Cutcliffe said. “They remember what you do in November, and most importantly, you will remember what you do in November.”
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