SportsDirect Inc. staff
Nov 24, 2012
Miami 52, Duke 45: Freshman Duke Johnson rushed for three touchdowns and Mike James scored twice as the Hurricanes completed their abbreviated season by finishing first in the ACC's Coastal Division with their ninth straight victory over the host Blue Devils.
Miami announced Monday it was self-imposing its second straight postseason ban with the hope the NCAA will lessen the penalties as it investigates the Hurricanes' compliance practices. Stephen Morris was 15-of-25 passing for 369 yards and three touchdowns as Miami (7-5, 5-3 ACC) racked up 646 yards of offense, including a season-high 176 on the ground by Johnson.
Sean Renfree was 36-of-59 for a career-high 432 yards and four touchdowns - he has a career-best 18 this season - for the Blue Devils (6-6, 3-5), who finish the regular season with four straight losses but are eligible for their first bowl game since 1995. Jamison Crowder had eight catches for 203 yards and two touchdowns while Conner Vernon added 11 for 109 and a pair of scores.
Miami scored on four of its six first-half possessions to take a 28-10 lead. After Duke closed to within 31-24 on Renfree's 23-yard touchdown pass to Crowder with 5:17 left in the third quarter, the Hurricanes erupted for a pair of big plays - a 65-yard score by Johnson and James' 72-yard catch and run - to take a 45-24 lead.
Renfree's 99-yard touchdown pass to Crowder - the longest play from scrimmage in Duke history - made it 45-31 with 11:45 remaining. Morris' 65-yard touchdown pass to Herb Waters restored Miami's 14-point advantage at 52-38 with 7:37 left before Duke's Brandon Connette recorded his second rushing touchdown of the game with 2:32 to go.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Miami also would have played No. 5 Florida State for the ACC title Dec. 1, but that privilege has been taken by Georgia Tech. ... Duke has played 68 straight games without missing a PAT, the longest streak in the nation. Freshman Ross Martin is 44-for-44. ... The Blue Devils have allowed 198 points in their last four games.