MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Cam Ward, a contender for the Heisman Trophy, showcased an impressive performance by passing for 400 yards and throwing five touchdown passes, three of which were caught by Xavier Restrepo. This remarkable game allowed No. 5 Miami to overcome a double-digit deficit for the third time this season, leading them to a 53-31 victory against Duke on Saturday.

With this outstanding display, Ward reached 29 touchdown passes this season, equaling the Miami single-season record set by Steve Walsh back in 1988. A pivotal moment in the game came with 7:36 remaining when Restrepo’s 66-yard touchdown catch not only tied Mike Harley’s record for career receptions at Miami with 182 but also allowed him to surpass Santana Moss’ career receiving yards record with a total of 2,573 yards. Ward’s accomplishment also tied Walsh for the most touchdown passes in Hurricane history (9-0, 5-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference).

For Duke (6-3, 2-3), Maalik Murphy finished with 325 passing yards and three touchdowns, but his performance was marred by three interceptions and one fumble. Sahmir Hagans stood out for the Blue Devils, making nine catches for 139 yards and a touchdown. This game marked Duke coach Manny Diaz’s first encounter with Miami since his dismissal in 2021, and at one point, his team led 28-17 in the third quarter, looking to secure what would have been their first win over a top-5 opponent since 1960.

After falling behind 14-0 early in the game, Duke rallied with a 28-3 scoring spree. However, Miami turned the tide swiftly, scoring five touchdowns in just six drives during the second half, resulting in a staggering 36-3 run that effectively sealed the game.

This season, Miami has shown resilience by coming back from double-digit deficits in two prior games. They managed to overcome a 10-point deficit against Virginia Tech, securing a 38-34 victory, and notably came back from being down by 25 points against California to win 39-38.

Observing the game, it was clear that Duke would have preferred to keep the scoring low. Since 2018, the Blue Devils have a record of 31-2 (.939) when they limit opponents to 21 points or fewer, contrasting sharply with their performance when allowing more points, now standing at 10-40 (.200).

On Miami’s side, Ward’s rising stardom continues as he ascends to the No. 5 position on the NCAA’s all-time passing list, surpassing Landry Fields. Additionally, he made history by becoming the first Miami quarterback to throw for 400 yards against Duke, with Restrepo’s 146-yard receiving performance marking the highest ever against the Blue Devils by a Hurricane.

As for the rankings, Miami might have the opportunity to climb a spot in the polls, depending on how voters assess Penn State, which suffered a loss to Ohio State this week, currently ranked No. 4.

Looking ahead, Duke will travel to Raleigh to play against N.C. State on November 9, while Miami will be headed to Georgia Tech on the same date.