GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Duke RB Deon Jackson needs to get attention from both Miami’s defense and coverage teams. The sophomore is coming off a big day in Duke’s loss to Pittsburgh last week, rushing for 162 yards, catching passes for 89 more, and amassing 152 yards on kick returns. He is just the third player to top the 400-yard mark in all-purpose yards in an ACC game, joining Clemson’s Tobias Palmer (496 vs. North Carolina State in 2012) and Wake Forest’s John Leach (411 against Maryland in 1993).
DRAFT SLANT
–SS Jaquan Johnson is ranked No. 1 at his position in NFLdraftscout.com rankings. He is still looking for his first interception after picking off four passes last year, but that hasn’t kept him from being named a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award as college football’s top defensive back. Teammate Michael Jackson Jr. also is one of 14 semifinalists.
ROSTER REPORT:
–WR Brian Hightower returned to practice after missing the last two games to an ankle/foot injury. He has four receptions for 60 yards and had a touchdown catch in the opener. A true freshman, he has appeared in the four games the NCAA is allowing this year without it costing him a year’s eligibility so it will be interesting to see if he plays this week.
–DE Joe Jackson has five sacks this season, making him one of 11 FBS players with at least 20 career sacks.
–QB Malik Rosier had a touchdown pass and ran for a touchdown in last year’s win over Duke. In 2015 he got his first career start when the Hurricanes went to Durham, in place of an injured Brad Kaaya. He was 20-of-29 passing for 272 yards and two touchdowns, but the Hurricanes didn’t get the 30-27 win until an 11-lateral kickoff return for a touchdown as time ran out in the game.
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