ACC Scare Averted: No. 20 Miami Runs Away From Duke, 34-16

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Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Jacory Harris threw for 348 yards with two touchdowns, as 21st-ranked Miami-Florida used a big fourth quarter to claim a 34-16 win over Duke in an ACC clash at Land Shark Stadium.

Harris finished 25-of-43 with an interception, and Leonard Hankerson had eight catches for a career-high 143 yards and a score for Miami-Florida (8-3, 5-3 ACC), which suffered a 33-24 setback at North Carolina last Saturday. The Hurricanes have won three of their last four. Damien Berry rushed for 76 yards on 16 touches with a touchdown. Jimmy Graham had five catches for 73 yards.

Thaddeus Lewis completed 20-of-37 throws for 303 yards with a TD and a pick for Duke (5-6, 3-4), which was hammered 49-10 by Georgia Tech last weekend. The Blue Devils, who needed a win to remain in the hunt for a bowl game, have dropped three straight. Donovan Varner had eight grabs for 165 yards and a score, while Will Snyderwine converted 3-of-4 field goals with a long of 49 yards.

With Duke ahead 16-13 in the later stages of the third quarter, the Hurricanes mounted a well-orchestrated 15-play, 90-yard drive that took over seven minutes off the game clock. Berry banged in from two yards out to cap the set, lifting UM into the lead.

Snyderwine's 31-yard effort early in the fourth sailed wide right and Miami quickly capitalized. Harris hit Aldarius Johnson for a 20-yard screen pass and three plays later, connected with Hankerson for a 44-yard strike to stretch the lead to 27-16. Darryl Sharpton gave the 'Canes some more breathing room when he returned an interception 73 yards for a score with a shade over six minutes to play.

After another failed Duke drive, Miami was able to run out the clock and preserve the win.

Snyderwine's 30-yard field goal opened the scoring, giving Duke the lead with just under six minutes to play in the first. Matt Bosher tied things after splitting the uprights from 33-yards out with about 1 1/2 minutes left in the quarter.

Desmond Scott's 47-yard return on the ensuing kickoff set up Synderwine for a 49-yard field goal and a 6-3 lead just 10 seconds into the second.

Miami went ahead 10-6 when Harris' batted pass fell into the hands of Tervaris Johnson for a five-yard touchdown with nearly five minutes left in the half. Duke quickly went back in front 13-10 when Lewis connected with Varner for a 24-yard TD with 2:17 remaining and that score held up heading into the break.

Snyderwine connected on a 26-yard effort on Duke's first drive of the third quarter to go up by six. Bosher got the three right back hitting from 20-yards out after the 'Canes drive stalled inside the five-yard line.

Miami will close out its regular-season schedule next Saturday at USF, while Duke hosts Wake Forest...Scott finished with 105 kick return yards on four touches and added 27 rushing yards on 10 carries...For the all-time series, Miami improved to 6-1 over Duke and it has won the last six encounters since the Blue Devils won the inaugural meeting, 20-7, in 1976.

- Via Sports Network.