Miami Hurricanes Football: Freshman Duke Johnson Leads Miami Past Boston College

Sep 1, 2012; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson (8) is tackled by Boston College Eagles linebacker Josh Keyes (25) during the fourth quarter at Alumni Stadium. Miami Hurricanes won 41-32. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

Miami went into Boston College shaky, but managed a 41-32 victory over the Eagles.

MVP of the game: Duke Johnson.  This kid is going to be something special.  And to think that he is only a freshman.  Johnson rushed for 135 yards and 2 touchdowns on just seven carries.  The ‘Canes found themselves down 14-0 during the first-half of play, however, Johnson led the ‘Canes back into driver seat, rattling off two touchdown runs of 54 and 56 yards.  You know you are good when LeBron James tweets about you:

Duke Johnson is the truth out there for the U!  True freshman #speedkills.

Junior QB Stephen Morris appeared confident and poised in his first start of the year.  Morris completed 28 of 45 passes for 207 yards and one touchdown pass to freshman WR Malcolm Lewis.  He threw one interception after WR Rashawn Scott had the ball bounce off of his chest and into the hands of a BC defender.

There is still some work to be done on the defensive side of the ball.  The ‘Canes gave up 420 passing yards to the Eagles – unacceptable.  BC QB Chase Rettig picked on the young Miami cornerbacks all day.

Miami’s pass rush was seemed nonexistent at times.  The turning point: sophomore LB Denzel Perryman scored on a 41-yard pick six.  By the end of the game the ‘Canes defense looked revived.  The change in conditioning was evident.

With 3:35 left in the game, S Vaughn Telemaque was flagged for pass interference, providing hope for BC.  Down 11, the Eagles moved the ball to the Miami 5-yard line but Rettig was stuffed by the Miami defense on fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line.  Following an official review, the call stood and Miami regained possession.

The game ended with P Dalton Botts electing to take a safety.  The ‘Canes punted to BC with just seconds remaining.

Miami begins their 2012 season at 1-0.

Up next? The ‘Canes travel to Manhattan, Kansas to face the Kansas State Wildcats.