It’s a battle in South Beach as Duke Football takes on the Miami Hurricanes where both teams desperately need to win this game.
It’s tough to get off to a better start in a football game than the Blue Devils did in this one.
On the first play from scrimmage, Deon Jackson took a handoff from Daniel Jones and went to the right and got stuffed but then bounced back to the left and took the ball 75 yards to the house to put the Blue Devils up 7-0.
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The Blue Devils defense then stood tall and forced Miami into a three and out but the offense could not capitalize with and responded with a three and out of their own.
As the Miami offense went back on the field, they picked up their first, first down of the game but in a fourth and short situation, they decided to go for it and the Duke defense made another big play and stopped the ‘Canes.
However, in a monsoon like rain, the Blue Devils could not take advantage of the great field position and punted after three plays.
Miami then made a change at quarterback, taking out Malik Rosier and putting in N’Kosi Perry.
Perry did not make anything happen on his first drive, going three and out but after a bad punt the Blue Devils once again were handed great field position and they were able to pick up a first down and nothing more.
On a 4th and 8 from the Miami 31, David Cutcliffe left the offense on the field in the pouring rain and Daniel Jones punted the ball down to the Miami two yard line.
After picking up a first down, Miami could not do anything else on the soaking wet grass and gave the ball right back to the Blue Devils.
After a Duke three and out, Miami took their first play from scrimmage to the house behind an 83 yard touchdown run from Deejay Dallas but the ‘Canes could not execute the snap on the extra point and the Blue Devils kept their lead but at 7-6.
On the ensuing drive, the Blue Devils were able to pick up a first down, but nothing else and with Mailk Rosier back at quarterback, the Canes were able to go right down the field for a touchdown.
A 43 run by Travis Homer, a horrific no call on what should have been an offensive pass interference, and a roughing the passer penalty led to a Homer six yard touchdown run.
The Hurricanes went for two but were not successful and settled for a 12-7 lead.
Both teams could not muster up any more offense in the rest of the first half.
Daniel Jones finished the half completing six of eleven passes for 21 yards, as Jackson was the majority of the Blue Devil offense, taking the ball seven times for 86 yards and that one touchdown.
The Blue Devils are going to need to find something on offense if they want to win this game because since that first play of the game, they have had nothing going for the all night.
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