Running back Duke Johnson was ‘on a mission’ in Miami Hurricanes’ comeback win

“Man, oh man. He ran with a purpose and anger that we haven’t seen from him,” UM coach Al Golden said of Johnson, who finished with 30 carries for 168 yards and added 75 yards in kick returns. “He was clearly on a mission.”

Last week Dallas Crawford came off the bench and had a career day carrying the ball to save Miami. This time Johnson helped the Hurricanes (7-0, 3-0 ACC) avert disaster against an opponent that has beaten just one top-10 team in its history – Tennessee, exactly 67 years ago Saturday – and hadn’t beaten Miami in 69 years. The Demon Deacons (4-4, 2-3 ACC) scored on the game’s opening drive and led until 5:36 of the fourth quarter.

They converted on 5-of-5 third down chances to start the game, jumping out to a 14-3 lead behind Josh Harris’ 12-yard rushing score and a 9-yard touchdown catch by senior wideout Michael Campanaro (10 receptions, 88 yards). Wake was ranked 102nd on third-down conversions, but converted 8-of-16, including two of 10 yards. The Deacs were 2-for-2 on fourth down, including Campanaro’s touchdown catch on fourth-and-1.

It’s the third game in a row Miami has overcome a deficit of 10 points or more. Wake Forest controlled the ball at the outset — Miami ran just three plays in the first quarter — and outgained UM in the first half (226 to 126). After giving up 361 total yards, the Hurricanes are allowing 342.3 per game.

Quarterback Stephen Morris struggled again, completing 17 of 28 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown but missing several easy throws. His receivers, on the other hand, were acrobatic. Freshman Stacy Coley made a 44-yard catch in the fourth quarter after leaping over Wake cornerback Merrill Noel, tipping the ball, falling backward and securing it after it bounced a second time off his chest.

In the third quarter, tight end Clive Walford’s one-handed, 20-yard grab set up a pretty touchdown pass Morris threw to Herb Waters, 35 yards behind coverage, to make it 14-10.

That was the score at the start of the fourth quarter, during which Johnson approached Golden with a request.

“I wanted the ball. He said, ‘We’re going to put the game in your hands,’” Johnson said.

Behind bruising blocks, Johnson carried 13 times for 85 yards on Miami’s final two drives, punching in touchdowns of 4 and 1 yards. The second score put the Canes on top to stay after Wake Forest freshman tailback Dominique Gibson, a Glades Central alum, took a short pass, shook linebacker Tyrone Cornelius and raced 44 yards for his first career touchdown. It put Wake up four points with 4:02 left.

That was how close the Demon Deacons came to upsetting the Hurricanes, who must steady themselves for all the hype of this week’s game at Florida State.

They can do it clear of NCAA penalty, after learning on Tuesday they would not miss another bowl game because of the Nevin Shapiro scandal.

After the decision, Golden insulated himself and his players from the media and other outside distractions. It was still a tall task to get them ready. “I promise you I have never worked harder in my life than the last 72 hours to get them focused for a game,” he said.

Now, after 2 ½ seasons with UM’s off-the-field mistakes hanging over the program, the next game will be about nothing but Seminoles-Hurricanes, both unbeaten in November, in front of a sold-out crowd. Saturday, ESPN announced it will broadcast its popular “College GameDay” show from Tallahasee.

That’s the kind of attention Miami likes.

“There has been more national exposure over the last 28 months than any of us can handle,” Golden said. “If it’s about football, we’re in. We’re all in.”