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FOOTBALL

As Duke Is Playing On The Road At 5th Ranked Miami Saturday Manny Diaz Is Opposing His Former Team

Manny Diaz was Head Coach Of Miami for three seasons as well as defensive coordinator for three seasons (2019-21) and three as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach (2016-18). During his time at the helm, he coached the Hurricanes to three consecutive bowl appearances and tied for the second most ACC wins in the league, trailing only Clemson.
 
Miami’s 2021 squad finished the regular season winning five of its last six games, including wins over top-20 opponents in No. 18 NC State and No. 17 Pittsburgh. In addition, Diaz guided third-string freshman quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to ACC Rookie of the Year honors. The 2020 Hurricanes finished 8-3 (7-2 ACC) overall, marking the second time with Diaz on staff as well as the second time in program history Miami won seven ACC games. That team concluded the year 18th in the final College Football Playoff rankings.

As Duke is playing on the road on the road at Miami Saturday at noon Manny Diaz is coaching against is opposing his former team!

Ahead of Manny Diaz opposing his former team he had this to say!

There’s a great saying that ‘No man crosses the same river twice (like) before. He’s not the same man, and it’s not the same river,’”And that’s really the way I look at it. I’ve grown. I’m different as a coach, as a head coach, as a man, than I was when I was at Miami, and certainly the program’s in a different place by every metric from when I was there. So I’m at peace. I moved on.”

According to Stephen Wiseman News & Observer article https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article294670644.html#storylink=cpy

Duke comes into the game with Miami with record of 6-2 overall 2-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference is ninth in the standings because they lost to 22nd ranked SMU in overtime a week ago 28-27 because the pass to Eli Pancol from Maalik Murphy for 2 point conversion failed in overtime

Following Duke’s 2 point conversion failing Duke getting knocked off by SMU 28-27 Duke Head Coach Manny Diaz had this to say!

“For the guys in that locker room,”“it’s a lot of emotions. It’s sad. It’s anger, confusion, whatever you feel, they feel.”

You need a touchdown, a two-point conversion, the way the rules are now, anyway,

before using baseball metaphors to describe college overtimes. “So if you got a chance to win the game in the bottom of the first inning, to me, you do it because the best case scenario for offense in the top of the second inning was the score a touchdown and then go for two. So you have to make a two-point conversion win the game anyhow.”

Following Duke’s 2 point conversion failing Duke getting knocked off by SMU 28-27 Duke wide receiver Eli Pancol who was apart of the 2 point conversion that failed had this to say!

I commend coach Diaz so much for his play-calling,”d. “I thought it was a great play call. I thought we were gonna score and win the game. But SMU is a great team. They watch film, too. They’ve got a good defense, so they covered it up and they made a great play.”

“We have some competitors,”“We have some hard workers, some people who are going to go out there and put their life on the line for this game and for our team. I’m proud of every single person on the offense, defense. I’m proud of Todd Pelino. I’m proud of everybody. We didn’t win. I hate losing but that’s where I’m at right now. Really proud of those guys.”

According to Stephen Wiseman News & Observer article https://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article294259714.html

Miami comes into the game with Duke ranked 5th in the AP Top 25 Poll because unlike Duke they won their game a week ago today when they beat Florida State 36-14 where they scored four touchdowns. There first touchdown came in the first quarter when Mark Fletcher ran for 1 yard Andres Borregales kicked, extra point making score 7-0 Miami. In the 2nd quarter Damien Martinez ran for 18 yard touchdown Andres Boregales kicked, made extra point extending Miami’s lead over Florida State 14-0. In the 4th quarter Miami scored pair of touchdowns Cam Ward caught 7 yard pass from Elijah Arryo two point conversion failed extending Miami’s lead 29-7 before Damien Martinez ran for 12 yard touchdown Andres Boregales kicked, made extra point.

According to espn app

Following Miami’s 36-14 win Miami Head Coach Mario Cristobal had this to say!

It's critically important to go out there and beat this program and be undefeated in the state of Florida,”I think it sends a strong message. All recruits, in-state, out of state, can now clearly see the trajectory of this program versus the trajectory of the other programs.”

According to article by Associated Press https://www.espn.com/college-football/recap/_/gameId/401635596

Kick off is set for 12:00pm from Hard Rock Stadium that is home not only to the Miami Hurricanes though the Miami Dolphins of NFL as well!

The game is going to be televised on ABC with Joe Tessitore, Jesse Palmer , Katie George commentating!