Miami Hurricanes Football: ‘Canes Close Season With A Win In Durham

Nov 24, 2012; Durham, NC, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Duke Johnson (8) runs past Duke Blue Devils safety Walt Canty (4) for a touchdown during the first half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-US PRESSWIRE

As the Miami season came to a close, the Hurricanes (7-5, 5-3 ACC) defeated the Duke Blue Devils (6-6, 3-5 ACC) in a back-and-forth shootout, 52-45.  Since Miami declared to self-impose a second consecutive bowl ban last week, the Hurricanes will not have the opportunity to compete for the ACC title against rival Florida State.

Miami treated their match-up against Duke as their bowl game and came out swinging.  Freshman RB Duke Johnson rushed for a season high 176 yards and three touchdowns, including a 65-yard sprint.  Johnson threw for what would have been his second touchdown pass of the season, however, officials would overturn the call.

As noted by ESPN, “He [Johnson] finished his freshman year with 947 yards rushing, easily surpassing Clinton Portis’ 13-year-old school freshman rushing record of 838 yards.”

Portis was definitely paying attention and released the following tweet in regards to his late record being broken:

[blackbirdpie url="https://twitter.com/TheRealC_Portis/status/272449087520010242"]

Congratulations Mr. Johnson.  It will be exciting to see what Duke is capable of in 2013.

QB Stephen Morris continued his respectable season leaving Durham with three touchdowns and throwing for 369 yards.

TE Clive Walford led the Miami receiving corps with four receptions for 99 yards and one touchdown while senior RB Mike James caught three passes for 97 yards and one touchdown.

The Miami defense continued to give up big yardage and Duke QB Sean Renfree lit up the Miami secondary for a career-high 432 yards and four touchdowns.  Renfree connected with WR Jamison Crowder on a 99-yard touchdown pass, the longest passing play in Duke football history.

While Miami will not participate in the ACC title game, the Coastal Division will be represented by Georgia Tech who will square off against Florida State in Charlotte this Saturday.

Miami will continue to wait on a verdict from the NCAA regarding sanctions due to former players receiving improper benefits from former UM booster Nevin Shapiro.

With the season officially at an end, thank you to all of the seniors for your hard work and dedication.  Wish you nothing but continued success.  Represent NFLU proudly.

List of Miami Seniors:

RB Mike James

DB Vaughn Telemaque

P Dalton Botts

P Cameron Dean

DB Brandon McGee

WR Davon Johnson

DB Andrew Swasey

K Jake Wieclaw

DL Chris Dunckel

OL Ben Jones

LS Paul Kelly

OL Jeremy Lewis

WR Kendal Thompkins

DL Darius Smith

Sources: ESPN, Hurricane Sports