10 Things We Learned in Miami's Victory over Duke

The Miami Hurricanes traveled to Wallace-Wade Stadium in their final regular season game to take on the Duke Blue Devils in a meeting of 6-5 teams.

It was Senior Day in Durham, and the Duke seniors put up a valiant fight after falling behind early to the Canes before falling just short in a 52-45 shootout.

Duke Johnson led the Miami offensive attack, setting a career-high mark for rushing yards in a game with 176. Stephen Morris capped his 2012 campaign with another 350-plus yard passing performance—his fourth of the season.

Sean Renfree handled the Miami defense, throwing for 432 yards and four touchdowns. Jamison Crowder and Conner Vernon torched the Hurricanes’ secondary with two touchdown catches each.

Miami’s season ends at 7-5, as it self-imposed a second consecutive postseason ban. Duke, at 6-6, now awaits a bowl selection for the first time since 1994.

1. Sean Renfree Was Impressive

After a slow first quarter, Duke quarterback Sean Renfree picked apart the Hurricanes. The senior threw four touchdown passes in the second half to rally the Blue Devils.

It was the first time this season that he threw for 400-plus yards and the second time Renfree connected with his receivers for four touchdowns.

His final home game at Duke was almost an amazingly memorable day. However, he still has a lot to be proud of as the leader of the first bowl-eligible Blue Devils team in 18 years.

2. Conner Vernon Is Vastly Underrated

Conner Vernon is another Blue Devils senior who had a phenomenal day against the Hurricanes.

Though widely unknown, Vernon is the ACC record holder for receptions and yards, even though he flies under the radar.

The receiver from Miami had 11 receptions for 109 yards and two scores. Nine of his catches resulted in first downs or touchdowns, a very remarkable number.

Following Duke’s bowl game, Vernon will likely turn his attention to preparing for Sunday games in the NFL.

3. Miami Tight Ends Finally Exist

Not a moment too soon, guys.

The University of Miami has been considered “Tight End U” for years by many football fanatics. This team, however, didn’t have a dominant tight end for the majority of 2012.

Clive Walford changed that trend in the final two games of the season, catching seven passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns.

Dyron Dye added a 29-yard catch against Duke—his first reception since Miami’s game versus North Carolina on October 13.

4. Jamison Crowder Is a Playmaker

It’s hard to deny that fact when a player gets 203 yards receiving.

Jamison Crowder caught eight passes, two of which were touchdowns.

His school-record 99-yard touchdown reception cut Miami’s lead to 14 points early in the fourth quarter. This dynamic play immediately followed an overturned Duke Johnson to Clive Walford touchdown on 4th-and-goal.

Crowder, a sophomore, will be a top target for the Blue Devils next season.

5. Stephen Morris Is Undoubtedly the Starter

Finally, a year without a quarterback controversy.

Many Hurricanes fans have clamored for a change under center in recent offseasons. Even this year while Morris was recovering from back surgery, there was some doubt if he would be able to execute.

The quarterback capped a great 2012 campaign with a noteworthy performance. Morris finished the day 15-for-25 with 369 yards and tossed three touchdowns.

Simply put, Morris needs to be the starter in 2013.

6. Duke Johnson Finished a Special Year Strong

Running back Duke Johnson set a school-record for rushing yards by a freshman according to Susan Miller Degnan of the Miami Herald. Johnson gained 947 yards on 139 carries with seven touchdowns.

He finished just 38 yards shy of setting another school-record—this one being all-purpose yards in a season, tweeted Manny Navarro, also of the Miami Herald.

This state champion from Norland High School might be one of the top players in the entire nation next season, as he was one of the best freshmen in 2012.

7. Miami’s Defense Didn’t Finish Well

The Blue Devils lit up the Hurricanes for 583 total yards Saturday afternoon—the fifth-most allowed in Miami history, said Jorge Milian of the Palm Beach Post.

Duke converted on 9 of 24 third and fourth downs, including a Conner Vernon touchdown when Renfree merely threw the ball up for grabs.

Jela Duncan and Josh Snead led the Blue Devils with 64 and 52 yards rushing, respectively. The Blue Devils finished with 151 yards on 32 carries and two touchdowns.

Miami’s defensive front managed little pressure on important plays in the second half.

To their credit, the defense allowed the Hurricanes’ offense to quickly jump out to a 14-0 lead with some early stops.

8. Duke Is Limping into the Postseason

After bursting onto the college football scene as an early surprise team, the Blue Devils lost five of its final six games.

Yes, Duke is headed to the postseason for the first time since ’94, but head coach David Cutcliffe wanted to end the regular season on a high note.

Twenty seniors will play their last game for the Blue and White in December.

9. The Future Is Still Bright for the Blue Devils

Now go ahead and flip the previous slide on its head.

This was the first Duke team to make a bowl game in 18 years, an impressive accomplishment.

There is plenty of experience returning for the Blue Devils in 2013, and Cutcliffe agreed to a contract extension through 2019 earlier this week, according to ESPN’s Heather Dinich.

If Duke can win its bowl game, the returning players can carry the momentum into next season.

10. The Future Is Even Brighter in Miami

The Hurricanes will miss running back Mike James, who finished the day with 67 yards rushing, 97 yards receiving and two touchdowns.

And yeah—That’s about all the team loses.

Give credit to Brandon McGee, Jake Wieclaw, Dalton Botts and numerous other seniors for their efforts, but many young players saw a significant amount of snaps in 2012.

Miami returns 20 of its 22 starters and has a solid recruiting class entering next season.