Duke’s Strong Start Slips Away in Miami: Terry Moore’s Postgame Thoughts
Hey Blue Devils fans, Terry Moore here! Today’s game against No. 5 Miami was a rollercoaster, and I wanted to share some thoughts on what went down and where we go from here.
We went into Hard Rock Stadium as underdogs, facing an undefeated Miami team on their turf, and let me tell you—our Blue Devils came ready to battle. We had an incredible start and led 28-17 early in the third quarter. There was fire in our play, and for a while, it felt like we had the momentum we needed to pull off a huge upset.
Let’s talk about our offense. Peyton Jones had an outstanding game with two touchdowns and 152 all-purpose yards. His power and versatility kept Miami on their toes. Maalik Murphy also played lights out, throwing for three touchdowns and a season-high 325 yards. And then there was Sahmir Hagans—man, what a day he had! Nine catches for 139 yards, which set a personal best. The chemistry between Maalik, Sahmir, and Peyton really brought some of the best plays we’ve seen all season.
On defense, we showed a lot of grit. We forced Miami into consecutive three-and-out drives for the first time all season, and that’s something to be proud of. Chandler Rivers picked up another interception—his third straight game with a pick—and we had seven pass breakups along with two takeaways. We pushed back hard and showed resilience, even when the odds were against us.
But let’s be real: Miami is No. 5 for a reason. They stormed back with a 36-point surge in the second half that showed just how strong they are. Their quick scoring drives in the fourth quarter sealed the deal, and we couldn’t keep up. It was tough to see our lead slip away, and I know everyone on the team feels the sting of this one.
So, where do we go from here? We regroup, learn from our mistakes, and get ready for NC State. This game showed our potential, and if we can keep that intensity and clean up a few areas, we’re going to bounce back strong.
We’re all disappointed, but remember: this season isn’t over, and we still have a lot of football left. Thank you to all the fans who support us, through the highs and the lows. We’ll be ready to fight next week.