The last game Manny Diaz ever coached for Miami was a 47-10 win in 2021 at Duke. Nearly three years later Diaz returns to Miami leading Duke versus the Hurricanes. Diaz was 2-1 as the Miami head coach versus Duke, Miami lost 27-17 at Duke in 2019 and won 48-0 in Durham in 2020 before the 2021 win.
This will be the fourth consecutive time that Diaz has been the visiting coach in the series between Duke and Miami. Miami outscored Duke 112-37 with Diaz as head coach. Mario Cristobal is 0-1 as Miami head coach versus Duke. Duke won 45-21 in one of a handful of embarrassing losses for Miami in their first season under Cristobal in 2021.
The 2021 Miami win over Duke culminated an incredible run by Tyler Van Dyke on his way to winning the ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year. Van Dyke completed 34 passes in 49 attempts for 381 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The 2021 win over Duke was also memorable as a record setting day for Miami receivers.
Miami set the single game record with 13 receptions versus Duke in the 2021 game and became the All-Time leading receiving in program history in that game with 182 catches. Charleston Rambo set the single-season records with 79 receptions and 1,172 receiving yards in the 2021 game versus Duke.
Xavier Restrepo passed Rambo last season with 85 receptions. Restrepo is eight receptions behind Harley and 119 receiving yards behind Santana Moss for the all-time Miami receiving records entering the game on Saturday versus Duke. It would be appropriate for Restrepo to set the record in front of Diaz who signed him as a recruit.
Harley finished with 96 receiving yards in the 2021 game versus Duke. Rambo had eight receptions for 101 yards and two TDs to finish a magical season for him. Miami ran for 140 yards versus Duke on that dreary night in Durham led by Jaylan Knighton who now plays for SMU and faced Diaz last Saturday.
Restrepo had two receptions for 30 yards in the 2021 game versus Duke for his second career TD. Mario Cristobal and Diaz have downplayed the game on Saturday. Cristobal and Diaz have chosen to focus on their teams and the game at Hard Rock Stadium. It has to at least be an emotional return for Diaz.