Miami (FL) Hurricanes vs Duke Blue Devils Match Player Stats On Oct 31, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Oct 31, 2015

DURHAM, N.C. -- Miami pulled off a circus, multi-lateral play on a kickoff return to end the game and upset No. 22 Duke 30-27 when Corn Elder completed the play by running the final 90 yards on Saturday night at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Duke scored two touchdowns in the final three minutes to rally to an apparent victory.

The go-ahead points came on quarterback Thomas Sirk's 1-yard run with six seconds remaining.

On Miami’s ensuing kickoff return, an illegal blocking penalty was called. But after extensive reviews of the play, the penalty was rescinded.

After the announcement, Miami players and coaches spilled onto the field.

Duke's go-ahead 10-play, 80-yard drive included three pass interference penalties on Miami, which made a coaching change six days earlier.

It was Miami's first outing since the firing of coach Al Golden last weekend after a 58-0 home loss to Clemson. Interim coach Larry Scott, who had been the tight ends coach, was directing the team for the first time.

Duke took its final possession with 1:50 at its own 20-yard line and out of timeouts. After the touchdown, Sirk ran in a two-point conversion.

Miami redshirt freshman quarterback Malik Rosier, in his first career start, threw two touchdown passes and Hurricanes had Duke off balance for most of the game.

Rosier connected with wide receiver Stacy Coley for a 19-yard touchdown play with 11:02 remaining as the Hurricanes built their advantage to 21-12.

Michael Badgley's 37-yard field goal with 5:54 to play extended Miami's edge.

Duke struck after a fourth-down conversion, with wide receiver Johnell Barnes tumbling into the end zone to complete a 13-yard play with 2:40 remaining.

The Hurricanes (5-3, 2-2) pulled off the upset despite racking up a school-record 22 penalties.

The outcome spoiled a monumental clash between the lone Coastal Division teams with unblemished league records when Duke goes to North Carolina next week.

The Blue Devils (6-2, 3-1) had a four-game winning streak snapped. Sirk completed 31 of 52 passes for 258 yards.

Rosier completed 20 of 29 passes for 272 yards.

Trailing 14-3, Duke running back Jela Duncan broke through at least three would-be tackles on the way to the end zone on a 24-yard run to complete the first possession of the second half.

The Blue Devils crept closer with a safety with 2:12 left in the third quarter. Rosier was grabbed by Duke defensive end Marquies Price in the end zone and flagged for intentional grounding.

Miami had a season-high 14 penalties before the midway mark of the third quarter.

Miami scored two second-quarter touchdowns to take a 14-0 lead.

Rosier threw a 33-yard pass to wide receiver Herb Waters for the first points. The second touchdown came when offensive tackle Sunny Odogwu fell on teammate Walter Tucker's fumble in the end zone.

Earlier, there was no break for Miami's misery because running back Mark Walton fumbled the opening kickoff and Duke recovered at the Hurricanes' 18-yard line.

But after a Duke pass for a first down, the Hurricanes stopped a fourth-down play inside the 1-yard line.

On Miami's first possession, Rosier, a freshman starting in place of injured Brad Kaaya, was hit in the end zone after releasing the ball and he was helped to the sideline. Rosier returned after one play.

Duke scored with 3:22 left in the first half on Ross Martin's 27-yard field goal. It came at the end of a 15-play, 69-yard drive that was disrupted by an illegal procedure penalty after the Blue Devils reached the Miami 4.

Martin missed a 38-yard attempt with three seconds left in the half.

Miami amassed 104 yards in penalties on 11 infractions in the first half.

NOTES: Miami played without injured QB Brad Kaaya, who entered the week with an ACC-leading 1,846 passing yards this season. ... Miami won in its first five visits to Duke until losing two years ago. ... Duke had an ACC-high six players with multiple rushing touchdowns through seven games. ... Duke was coming off a four-overtime victory at Virginia Tech in the longest game in ACC history. ... Miami plays host to Virginia next week in its first home game since the blowout loss to Clemson. ... Duke goes to rival North Carolina next week, beginning a stretch that includes three road games in the final month of the season.