MHMC- Commercial Template Doc Size 11.25” X 14” Image Area 10.375 x 11.75 CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK 11

the start time for the combined pass North Carolina attempts for Spencer vs. football Whipple and Alonzo game on Oct. 23. Highsmith, Jr. this SPORTS 7:30 7 year. FOOTBALL Canes hope to rebound after blowout loss at home Team stays focused as it prepares for Duke

BY LELAN LEDOUX SENIOR SPORTS WRITER A serious rebound is needed from the . The Canes (3-2, 1-1) can no longer afford to look ahead. After falling out of the Top 25, the Hurricanes will have to regroup and travel to face the Duke Blue Devils (1-4, 0-2), Saturday at 1 p.m. on ESPN3.com or on 560 AM. “Anytime you play an ACC opponent it’s going to be a tough game,” head coach said. “It’s always been a struggle to play at Duke for the University of Miami and other teams in the conference. We have to make sure we go out there focused and ready to play, don’t fall into that trap of going out there and just going through the motions.” Shannon thought the Canes just went through the motions against State, as they got pounded, 45-17, Saturday evening. As the players put it, the game was “embarrassing” and the loss is still in their mind but they’re trying their best not to dwell on the past anymore. “It’s always going to burn,” said senior running back Graig Cooper, who never thought about redshirting this season after tearing his ACL last season. “It’s still hurting us but we got to move forward because we still got a long season ahead of us. It starts with Duke.” Miami holds a 6-1 series lead against a Duke team that hasn’t won a bowl game since 1960. South Carolina’s head coach Steve Spurrier was the last coach to bring Duke to a string of consecutive winning seasons, back in the late 1980s. The Blue Devils have played quite well against the Canes the past couple of meetings. ALEX BROADWELL // The Miami Hurricane The last time the Hurricanes played at DEFEAT: Junior Jacory Harris watches the defense take the fi eld in the fourth quarter of the UM vs. FSU game Duke in 2008, junior quarterback Jacory last Saturday. He completed only 19 of 47 pass attempts with an interception and no touchdowns in the entire game. Harris, then a true freshman, led the Hurricanes from a 10-point deficit to win, Tyler Horn said. “They play hard. The past Florida State. He has already been battling an Pittsburgh, he hasn’t missed a practice. Being 49-31. Harris had a career-high five total two years the games have been tight games. injured left shoulder this season. nicked up during the season is nothing new touchdown. We haven’t blown them out by any means. Harris has been a very tough player while to players, especially Harris. He has always Even last year’s game was close as the We cannot overlook a team.” at Miami. He has been the Hurricane leader been able to be full go come game day. The Canes trailed the Blue Devils at halftime at Duke is ranked 15 in the nation with 295 since the Emerald Bowl during the 2008 question becomes how many more injuries Sun Life Stadium. Miami had to score 21 passing yards. season when he played against California can he suffer. fourth-quarter points to defeat Duke, 34-16. “We’re not going to take them lightly,” with an injured arm. Shannon has seen Harris progress with This year Duke is struggling. They have said redshirt junior safety JoJo Nicolas. Last season, Harris injured his thumb his injuries this week. lost four straight games including two losses “They are an ACC team. We just want to stay against North Carolina and required surgery “He’s a little sore,” Shannon said. “But in the ACC and another against defending focused on Duke.” during the off-season and missed all of spring not as sore as he was in the game.” National Champions Alabama. Harris is struggling to stay healthy so far football. “Their record says 1-4 but the film says through five games. According to Shannon, Harris has never missed a game Lelan LeDoux may be contacted at lledoux@ much more differently,” redshirt junior center Harris played with a groin pull against though, and since he injured his shoulder at themiamihurricane.com.

October 14 - October 20, 2010 THE MIAMI HURRICANE SPORTS 11