Rosier and Defense Lead Miami Hurricanes 31-6 Over Duke
Miami Hurricanes quarterback Malik Rosier continued to have a hot hand and the defense had their first dominant performance in a 31-16 victory over Duke.
Rosier threw for 270 yards and defense rectified their third-down problems in a 31-6 victory over Duke on Friday night. The Miami Hurricanes defense stopped Duke on Fourth and one from their own 13-yard line on the Blue Devils first drive of the game. The Hurricanes controlled the rest of the play.
The Hurricanes stopped the Duke opening drive when Michael Pinckney sacked Blue Devil quarterback Daniel Jones for an 11-yard loss on fourth and one. The Miami offense immediately took control.
After a bit of a slow start on the first few plays, two big plays on the first drive offensively got the Hurricanes in the end zone. Mark Walton had a 39-yard catch and run. That was followed up by two plays later by a Rosier to Braxton Berrios 25-yard touchdown pass.
Rosier stood in the pocket and got crushed before he released the ball. Berrios made a diving catch to give the Miami Hurricanes the lead. After forcing Duke to a three and out, Miami once again marched down the field for another touchdown.
A 29-yard completion to Ahmmon Richards on the right sideline began the drive. Richards playing in his first game this season did a terrific job getting both feet down for the reception. It would have also been good in the NFL. Rosier got the touchdown on a quarterback sneak on third and goal from the Duke one.
Up two scores just over ten minutes into the game, the defense was able to assertive themselves. Duke entered the game with one of the nation’s most balanced offenses.
The Blue Devils had one of their two scoring drives on their next possession. Duke got to the Miami nine but had to settle for an Austin Parker 27-yard field goal to get on the board.
The teams exchanged punts on the next three possessions. Pinckney then intercepted Jones on the first play of Duke’s next possession following the parade of punts. He made a diving interception to set the Hurricanes up at the Blue Devils 40.
Miami went 37-yards in eight plays but had to settle for a 20-yard Michael Badgley field-goal. Duke got another field goal from Parker on their next drive to end the half.
The quarter was uneventful. The Hurricanes scored on the fourth play of their first drive of the fourth quarter. Rosier hit Richards in stride on a beautiful pitch and catch for the touchdown. Richards did most of the work on an impressive run. That extended the Miami lead to 24-6.
After a missed Badgley field-goal on the next drive, the Hurricanes put the game away on the next drive. Travis Homer burst through the line for a 40-yard touchdown run. That provided the final 31-6 margin.
After beginning the game completing his first nine passes, Rosier finished 15-26 for 270 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Richards was productive in his first game of the season. He gave Rosier the big play target and alpha receiver he didn’t have for their Canes first two games. Richards had three receptions for 106 yards.
After sensational performances in the first two games, Mark Walton struggled against Duke’s second in the nation run defense. He finished with 51 yards on 17 carries. He added four receptions for 79 yards though to contribute offensively.
Pinckney was the star defensively. He finished with 10 tackles, five solos, one sack, one and a half tackles for loss and the interception. His linebacker mate Shaq Quarterman added nine tackles, four solos.
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Miami will have the extra day off before they travel to Tallahassee next Saturday. Winless Florida State is playing at Wake Forest this week.