Sunday, 4 a.m.
Once again, they flirted with disaster. Once again, they were just too good for it.
The Miami Hurricanes, unbeaten and undaunted, struggled early against Duke Saturday, but pulled away for a 53-31 victory. The fifth-ranked Hurricanes also looked vulnerable before wins over California, Louisville and Virginia Tech. But behind quarterback Cam Ward, the Gators improved to 8-0.
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Ward, a leading Heisman candidate, threw for 400 yards and five touchdowns. The Canes outscored Duke 35-10 in the second half.
Receiver Xavier Restrepo became Miami’s all-time leading receiver. He caught eight passes for 146 yards and three touchdowns.
Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy threw for 325 yards. However, he threw three interceptions and fumbled once.
The Hurricanes visit Georgia Tech Saturday.
Georgia 34, Florida 20: Florida is running out of quarterbacks.
The feisty Gators gave No 2-rated Georgia a tougher time than expected, especially considering that they lost quarterback D.J. Lagway in the game. The Gators led 13-6 at the half, but Georgia scored 28 of the game’s final 35 points.
Florida finished the game with Aiden Warner at quarterback.
Florida plays at sixth-rated Texas Saturday at noon.
North Carolina 35, FSU 11: FSU’s forgettable season continued with a lopsided loss to the North Carolina fighting Omarion Hamptons.
Hampton scored five touchdowns to lead the Seminoles to yet another loss Saturday. The Seminoles, 13-0 a year ago, are just 1-8 on the season.
Hampton ran for four touchdowns and caught another one. He ran for 172 yards, It was his seventh straight 100-yard rushing game.
FSU has scored 16 points or less in eight straight games.
FSU plays at Notre Dame on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.