CBS4 News Takes Center Stage
Nov 21, 2009 1:20 pm US/Eastern
Sore Thumb Doesn't Slow Harris As Miami Beats Duke
By Solange Reyner
Miami Gardens (CBS4) ―
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MIAMI - OCTOBER 25: Quarterback Jacory Harris #12 of the Miami Hurricanes throws a pass against the Wake Forest Demon Decons at Dolphin Stadium on October 25, 2008 in Miami, Florida. Miami defeated Wake Forest 16-10.
Doug Benc/Getty Images
Jacory Harris wasn't about to let a sore thumb stand in the way of a conference win at home.
Harris threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns, Darryl Sharpton returned his first career interception for a touchdown, and the Hurricanes used three fourth-quarter touchdowns to rally against Duke, 34-16, on Saturday.
Harris, who had his right arm in a sling during the post-game news conference, said the injury to his throwing hand was painful.
He didn't practice for most of the week, had his thumb heavily taped for the game, and couldn't get a good grip on the ball at the start of the game.
The aching was an afterthought as soon as Miami (8-3) stepped onto the field in the second half.
"What really turned everything around was something that happened in the tunnel," Harris said. "We were coming out and Duke was just cheering, singing songs, basically like they've got this game won. Right there, that kind of lit a flame inside my soul. I was like, 'I can't let this happen.'"
Leonard Hankerson, Damien Berry, and Sharpton gave Miami a boost in the final quarter against the Blue Devils, who lost to the Hurricanes for the fifth straight time.
Berry got Miami moving.
He had 78 of his 79 yards rushing in the second half, and carried Miami on a 15 play, 90-yard scoring drive that put the Hurricanes ahead for good, 20-16.
Harris and Hankerson connected for a 44 yard score with 7:37 left, and Sharpton picked off Duke's Thaddeus Lewis on the Blue Devils' ensuing drive to finish it for the Hurricanes, who won eight games for the first time since 2005.
The loss dashed Lewis' hopes for his first postseason game – Duke was bumped knocked (5-6) out of bowl eligibility and haven't played late in the season since 1994.
It was also another close loss against the Hurricanes for Lewis, a senior who grew up in Miami.
"It's frustrating, but it's just another ACC game. I can't make this personal just because I'm from Miami," Lewis said.
"It's frustrating because we had an opportunity to keep bowl eligibility alive. We were right there and we let it get away."
The Blue Devils came into the second half carrying a 13-10 lead. They added a field goal on the first drive in the second half, and led 16-13 going into the fourth.
That's when the Hurricanes started rolling.
Berry had a two-yard touchdown, Duke's Will Snyderwine missed a 31-yard field goal, and Hankerson hauled in the touchdown on the ensuing series to make it 27-16 Miami.
"I think they came in with a fresh back and a got a little boost," Duke coach David Cutcliffe said.
"That always helps when you have that available. I think our wind went out of our sails a little bit. It was difficult for our defense to charge."
The Blue Devils started to mount a comeback, and got to Miami's 35-yard line after defensive end Allen Bailey was called for a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer. Then Lewis made a mistake.
"I didn't see him. I thought I moved him, I knew he was robbing, he disappeared and when I threw the ball he made a heck of a play. I tried to move him off the ball and he made an excellent play - awesome catch," said Lewis of Sharpton's pick.
The takeaway – which Sharpton ran back 73 yards for the score – was the first interception return for a touchdown for the senior.
How they Scored
Fourth Quarter
Hurricanes 34, Duke 16
Darryl Sharpton picks off Thaddeus Lewis and takes it back 73 yards for the score.
The plays: Duke gets good field position after Allen Bailey gets a penalty called on him, but Lewis makes a mistake and Sharpton capitalizes.
Hurricanes 27, Duke 16
Leonard Hankerson hauls in a 44-yard touchdown pass to give the Hurricanes an 11-point lead.
The drive: 5 plays, 87 yards in 2:36.
Hurricanes 20, Duke 16
Damien Berry carries the Hurricanes to the end zone to put Miami ahead.
The plays: It's all Berry here. He has an 18 yard gain to get Miami past midfield, then rushes of 8, 11, 3 and finally the 2-yard touchdown.
The drive: 15 plays, 90 yards in 7:09.
Third Quarter
Duke 16, Hurricanes 13
Matt Bosher kicks another field goal to get Miami close.
The plays: Harris is almost intercepted on third and goal, so Bosher comes in to score for the Hurricanes.
The drive: 12 plays, 54 yards in 4:50.
Duke 16, Hurricanes 10
Will Snyderwine hits a 24-yard field goal to open the second half.
The plays: Duke settles for a field goal after finding its way to the Miami-8.
The drive: 10 plays, 60 yards in 3:55.
Second quarter
Duke 13, Hurricanes 10
Thaddeus Lewis connects with Donovan Varner for a 24-yard score.
The plays: Lewis hits Varner for 21 yards, then the 24-yard td.
The drive: 8 plays, 80 yards in 2:33.
Hurricanes 10, Duke 6
Harris connects with Tervaris Johnson for a 5-yard score.
The plays: Leonard Hankerson hauls in a 52-yard pickup to get Miami on Duke's 2-yard line.
The drive: 12 plays, 80 yards in 4:52.
Duke 6, Hurricanes 3
Will Snyderwine kicks a 49-yarder to put the Blue Devils ahead.
The drive: 5 plays, 14 yards in 1:26.
First Quarter
Hurricanes 3, Duke 3
Matt Bosher hits a 33-yarder.
The plays: Miami settles for a field goal after failing to move the ball on Duke's 33-yard line.
The drive: 5 plays, 17 yards in 2:22.
Duke 3, Hurricanes 0
Will Snyderwine caps a 69-yard drive with a 30-yard field goal.
The drive: 4 plays, 69 yards in 1:33
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