Does Duke Present the Biggest Test to the No. 7 Miami Hurricanes' Run Defense?

MIAMI, Fla. – As the No. 7 Miami Hurricanes move on from last Saturday's 31-24 loss to Notre Dame at South Bend (IN), the reigning Atlantic Coast Conference champions are traveling to South Florida for a potential preview of what's to come in December at Charlotte (NC).

Duke will kickoff a three-game homestand at Hard Rock Stadium. It marks head coach Manny Diaz's second return since being let go by the Coral Gables program. He arguably has the biggest threat in the ACC in sophomore star running back Nate Sheppard.

“He's very different from the rest [of the running backs faced against],” head coach Mario Cristobal said in Monday’s media availability. “He’s a different level athlete and runner. He runs with very underrated power. He’s one of the best players in college football.”

When quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Cooper Barkate decided to enter the transfer portal, the 20-year-old stayed put and has been carrying the Blue Devils toward contention status in the league. Duke enters the matchup with a 7-2 overall record, 4-2 in ACC play.

Sheppard is currently second in the Football Bowl Subdivision with 1,189 rushing yards while scoring 17 touchdowns on the ground (third-most in FBS). He has more carries (191) then quarterback Walker Eget has completed passes (155). However, Sheppard hasn't faced a rushing defense like the Hurricanes this season.

Defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman prioritizes making opponents one-dimensional. The Hurricanes have the best rushing defense in FBS, allowing just 579 total rushing yards and five touchdowns from the ground this season on 235 carries through nine games.

Sheppard has forced 29 missed tackles, including seven games with at least three. He averages 3.96 yards followed by contact and has 20 breakaways (a rushing gain of at least 15 yards).

However, the Hurricanes don't just have to account for Sheppard from the backfield, but in the passing game as well. He's caught 33 passes on 39 targets for 306 yards while scoring four touchdowns.

In pass snaps, Sheppard is in the slot 4.5 percent of the time compared to the wide at 1.3.

Although the star running back is a threat from all over the field, he primarily causes damage running towards the right end of the field. In that direction, Sheppard has 247 rushing yards on 43 carries while scoring five touchdowns – all the most compared to other routes, according to Pro Football Focus. Plus, 14 first-downs, eight rushes of at least a gain of 10 yards, and 10 forced missed tackles.

The Hurricanes could looks to load up on that side of the field, even with nickelback/safety Omar Thornton.

Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. E.T. and will be televised on ABC.

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