Duke Is Legend

More than once, the familiar chant rang through the stadium.

And every time he heard the Miami Dolphins faithful shouting “Duuuuuke,” Duke Johnson couldn’t help but recall how often he’d heard the same when he played at Hard Rock Stadium as a Miami Hurricane.

“It just reminded me of college,” Johnson said with a grin. “It felt like my college days again.”

In many ways, Johnson’s performance in the Miami Dolphins’ 31-24 win over the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon was reminiscent of the kind of effort Hurricanes fans cheered for years.

The seven-year NFL veteran, who made his first start as a Dolphin on Sunday, finished with 22 carries, 107 yards and two touchdowns. All were career bests.

That he was able to put together a game like that in the same stadium where he starred as a Hurricane and not far from where he grew up only made the day that much sweeter.

“I think for me it means a lot to do it in the area I grew up in, the college field I played on,” said Johnson, who was a standout at nearby Miami Norland High before signing with the Hurricanes in 2012. “I think the most important thing is that I did it and it led to a win. If it had led to a loss, it wouldn’t have mattered as much as it does now.”

Said Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, “He played well. Definitely gave us a spark. Ran it well, ran hard and picked up first downs and tough yardage in a lot of instances when they knew we were running…I thought he definitely gave us a spark.”

Johnson, of course, had plenty of family and friends cheering him on during his big day, though he joked he wasn’t sure quite how large that crowd actually was.

One thing he did know? His cheering section included a group of fans from Charles Hadley Park, where he played youth league football and first learned the importance of making an impact in his community.

“I think the biggest thing I learned from Charles Hadley was support, from top down,” Johnson said. “At the time, no one really thought those kids could make it to where we are now, except for the commissioner of the park. And he pushed us and made sure we were the best people, as well as football players, we could be.”

Johnson carried that mentality with him to Norland, where he became a five-star recruit and the nation’s top running back prospect.

He brought it with him to Miami, too where as a Hurricane, Johnson was a record-breaking force.

His 3,519 career rushing yards at Miami are the most in school history. During his career, he totaled 14 100-yard rushing performances – a record he shares with Clinton Portis.

And in 2014, Johnson had six straight 100-yard games – a feat matched by only two other Hurricanes: Willis McGahee in 2002 and Edgerrin James in 1998.

 

The NFL, of course, eventually came calling, with the Cleveland Browns selecting Johnson in the third round of the 2015 draft. He spent four seasons in Cleveland before joining the Houston Texans for two seasons in 2019.

In October, Johnson’s NFL journey brought him home, initially as a member of the Dolphins’ practice squad. He saw action in Miami’s win over the Jets in November, but was limited to just four carries.

With the Dolphins dealing with COVID-19 issues this week, he was called on to carry a much heavier load on Sunday.

He responded in dominating fashion – and the Dolphins teammates he’s still getting to know thought it was all pretty neat stuff.

Read more at: https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/12/19/football-feature-duke-johnson-comes-home/

Comments

[AeroCane]

Game is cancelled! Bummer as I was looking forward to seeing the young guys and how some of the coaches were going to ‘coach’

[Terrance Sullivan]

Preach Aero

[Sarasota 'cane]

Well the Ravens and the Steelers lost, and the Chargers lost as well which I wasn’t expecting.

I know the Dolphins are gonna “Lucy’s Football” me soon, but I’m conditioned to take it.

🐬🐬Go Dolphins!🐬🐬

[nemo2020]

¡Adios Sol Bol!

[roachcane77]

Bummer.

[Sarasota 'cane]

Wow! I didn’t see that UM pulled out of the Sun Bowl when I was ranting about the Dolphins.

That sucks, but it’s an appropriate bookend to the way the season started and all points in between. 2021 can’t end soon enough.

Go ‘canes!

[HerbieIbis]

Good, now let Mario get down to business, hiring position coaches and coordinators. It's time to get this thing rolling. Would love to see them play one last time but wasting time on some shyt bowl, nah lets move on to bigger and better things and get ready for Jan. 1 and get some big time cruits in here.

[nemo2020]

Here is the GOOD NEWS. We qualified yet again for a crappy bowl game this year. And we FAILED to LOSE the game! That works for me!

Say "goodbye" to the Crappy Bown Game opt outs, the temporary interim coaches, the transfer portal wannabees, and any remaining vestiges of Little Manny's "New Miami".

This season is OVA.

It's a new year. We got a new head coach. And the "powers that be" have a whole new attitude about the UM football program. Forget the bling thing. At The REALLY New Miami, WINNING is the ONLY thing.

Yes, again, "that works for me!"

[AeroCane]

Love it Nemo!

[VA Cane]

While I was looking forward to seeing a team excited to play, I understand the decision. You got to be safe out here. Way too many people do not take this virus seriously...all I know is that 5,419,538 people have died worldwide...damn man...thats evil dictator numbers of death...laid at the foot of the Chicom govt...they knew what the deal was.

I got my shots, will get booster in Feb on time and try to be safe. I encourage all to do the same...standing over the grave of someone one knows is never enjoyable, but sadder when it can be prevented.

All be safe, focus on your family and good health, and Mario getting the ship righted flying high once again!!!

VAC

[CGNC]

VA - yes I was looking forward to the bowl game because I wanted to see TVD again and kind of see what these interim coaches could do. Better safe than sorry though!

[CGNC]

Happy Birthday 86!

[CGNC]

Herbstreit:

From https://247sports.com/Article/Kirk-Herbstreit-recalls-infamous-Miami-Hurricanes-rant-impact-on-Mario-Cristobal-hiring-179170629/

"I don’t ever like to credit for anything, I’ll just tell you I had a lot of conversations after I made those comments and they were heartfelt," Herbstreit said Monday on a Zoom teleconference previewing the College Football Playoff. "I didn’t have an axe to grind. I like Miami. I've always had a spot for their program. What I said came from my heart because I want to see them have a chance to be competitive.

"I got a lot of calls from the athletic director, people on the board … people reached out and thanked me for what I said. If it helped propel change, especially when it comes to funding, then great. Mario did reach out. Him and I talked before his presser. He was on the plane. I’m fired up for him. He’s a great coach. He lived it."

[MLALUMNI970]

Holy Smokes!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOM!! Hope you are well and enjoying your life with Maria, my friend.
Now with no football, we must wait until next year.

[HerbieIbis]

Herbstreit started this and I hope Mario finishes it. Say what u want about Kirk but we owe him.

[MLALUMNI1970]

I have always thought that Kirk Herbstreit was top drawer and loved how he always had thoughts about the U. I saw hm on TV when he talked about the U and the changes that needed to be made. Too bad he wasn’t a paid U consultant, but actually he kind of is!!
Go Canes and Go Kirk!

[VA Cane]

Miami has only had one double-digit win season since 2004.

Damn if that dont say it all....eh CGNC? that is horrible....I am sure TC could add a lot more stats...he is the man..Herbie loves UM...he always has spoken highly of them...I met him when we won the NC in 2002 Rose Bowl..we slid by VT in Bburg...12/1...last game before the RB..my player Morgan Moses' cousin Ernest Wilford dropped the 2 pointer...me and my Dad could have caught it..great classic game...had a nice chat with him on sideline...he said that this 2 year UM team, in his mind had to be considered one of the all time greats...perhaps the greatest...I certainly agreed.

I wanted to see Rapaport in action 1 more time...I hope we can have him 2 more years...REAL DEAL...yea thats what she said Soup!!!!

So we focus now...we will be better next year...its a rush I aint had in a long time for UM...After KD it was hard to really think yea we pick right up where we left off...NOT!!!! Long time...we wont win NC...but people are gonna take notice...no so much for how great we are....but rather how improved we are...one day at a time all!!!!

Soup ya catching me with birthday friend!!!! Happy one to you and Momma....Thanks for keeping it going here at Da Space....yes we all get way out ...but its more calm now...hey maybe we...like UM are growing...improving...just a thought!!!

Be safe all!!!

VAC

[AeroCane]

Nice post VA!

LOL- announcers calling Flores out for calling a TO he shouldn’t have; calling Grier out for using all those high draft choices on OL and they still suck;

[Sarasota 'cane]

7 in a row Aero!

🐬🐬Go Dolphins!🐬🐬

[Sarasota 'cane]

The Dolphins just jumped from the 10 slot into the Wild Card 7 slot!

And I don’t care how they did it!

🐬🐬Go Dolphins!🐬🐬

[AeroCane]

Sota, very nice!
I enjoyed that game!!
I hope we sack Tanny another 8 times but I’d like to see Phillips do something (like get 2 sacks himself)
Then let’s make life miserable for bilicheck and Jones!

[86Cane]

Thanks for ALL of the positive anniversary and birthday wishes!

[86Cane]

I know the Dolphins are gonna “Lucy’s Football” me soon, but I’m conditioned to take it.

🐬🐬Go Dolphins!🐬🐬

Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | December 26, 2021 at 09:33 PM

I agree 100%. After all these years I think ALL Fish fans are conditioned for this!

[86Cane]

Too bad he wasn’t a paid U consultant, but actually he kind of is!!
Go Canes and Go Kirk!

Posted by: MLALUMNI1970 | December 27, 2021 at 06:55 PM

I seriously wonder what Kirk would say off camera and behind the scenes about which up and coming coaches he would recommend hiring at the head coach and coordinator levels in college football.

Now that would be helpful and insightful.

[86Cane]

Mario did reach out. Him and I talked before his presser. He was on the plane. I’m fired up for him. He’s a great coach. He lived it."

Posted by: CGNC | December 27, 2021 at 02:12 PM

Interesting, very interesting.

"He lived it."

Uh, so did Shannon and Richt and well we know how that turned out.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Lol Shannon and Richt aren't comparable at all!

[Terrance Sullivan]

But I totally get your Overall Point Soupster! Yeah I am providing it to Me mode with Mario because so Far he is shown to be great recruiter okay Head Coach! Going to have to significantly improve as Head Coach or he won't be better than Richt! And Richt was at the End when he got here and ran circles around Shannon, Golden, and Diaz which ain't saying much because those Ham and Eggers were bad Head Coaches! Of course I am pissing off the all you have to do is recruit Crowd and Coaching doesn't matter Crowd FYI it's all intertwined because recruits don't want to come to a place where they know the head coach can't Coach and a Clown in over his head example our putrid recruiting class this year! You can fool people initially but over time the resume will speak for itself! The Fact Mario couldn't get Oregon to playoff in Weak Pac 12 despite best Roster and Justin Herbert for 2 years is lol funny and he didn't have Clemson, Alabama, Ohio State. Or Oklahoma in his way because USC and Washington was Down! Hope he proves Soupster and Myself wrong though!

[AeroCane]

Mario will have us in the top 10 recruiting year after year (he is an amazing recruiter and will hire excellent recruiters). IF he hires the right coordinators, we can be really good really quick!
No negative Annie’s allowed!
Remember, I was the guy that hated the Coker, Shannon, golden, richt and manny hires, so trust me when I say ‘Mario, will absolutely get us back to the top’ (maybe not NC every year LOL, but in the top 10 year after year!)

[CGNC]

The Dolphins just jumped from the 10 slot into the Wild Card 7 slot!

And I don’t care how they did it!

🐬🐬Go Dolphins!🐬🐬

Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | December 27, 2021 at 11:29 PM

Yessssssssssss! First time in a long time that I sat and watched a Fins game from start to finish.

Loved it when they all did "the Waddle".

[Terrance Sullivan]

Once again if he doesn't get much better at Coaching he will continue to fall short. This ain't Rocket Science!

[CGNC]

Posted by: AeroCane | December 28, 2021 at 06:36 PM

LOL, we all hated those hires. You had plenty of company. Actually as for Coker I can't remember if I hated it initially but I was really mad when Paul Dee gave him a contract extension in 2005

[Terrance Sullivan]

I didn't hate the Richt Hire now the rest yeah wasn't a Fan! And I ain't over the moon happy about the Mario hire because I believe he is a Mediocre Coach Great Recruiter but Mediocre Coach and that won't get it done against Nick, Dabo, Ryan, Lincoln, Brian, Jimbo, Kirby Tier of Coaches! And for 8 Million a Year Double what Richt was making we better be doing better than Top 10 Finish bullcrap! Like I said Prove Soupster and Myself and others wrong we want to be wrong but show us!

[Terrance Sullivan]

Mario is now the 7th Highest Paid coach in College Football he better produce Big Time!

[Sarasota 'cane]

Damn…RIP John Madden.

2021 can’t end soon enough.

[Terrance Sullivan]

RIP John Madden!

[HerbieIbis]

Dam Tee, putting the heat on Mario, right off da bat. Well, Mario wasn't my first choice either but he can recruit but that being said for him, he better get it right on his 2 coordinators. To The Herb, it's Briles or bust as OC. DC, I have no clue but whom ever it is I hope he can recruit some dam LB's. Some of these position coaches will be tied to some of these top shelf recruits still on the board.
Mario will be alright. Hard to be great every weekend but the good teams find a way to win when they are playing bad.
Bama, OSU and Georgia have at least 65 four and five star players on their roster. It will be hard for them to lose twice in one season with all that artillery. We ain't there yet but if Mario works some magic, will be coming.

[AeroCane]

Per inside the U:

‘We are now up to four five-star prospects scheduled to attend Miami's Elite Prospect Day on Jan 22. after Lehigh (Fla.) five-star running back Richard Young informed InsideTheU that he plans to be in attendance. He joins Tacoma (Wash) Lincoln five-star defensive lineman Jayden Wayne, Plantation American Heritage five-star wide receiver Brandon Inniss, and Orlando Jones five-star edge Malik Bryant as elite prospects expected to attend.’

[Terrance Sullivan]

Good Stuff Aero!

[Sarasota 'cane]

Well the SMU game was canceled so if Jim Leavitt is being considered for UM’s DC job we should know soon. I watched him coach the USF Bull’s and I think he would be a great DC. Leavitt coached with Mario at Oregon and stayed on as Oregon’s DC under Mario when Willie Tagart bolted for FSU so I’m sure he’s on whatever list Mario has for the job.

🙌Go ‘canes!🙌

[86Cane]

And I ain't over the moon happy about the Mario hire because I believe he is a Mediocre Coach Great Recruiter but Mediocre Coach. Like I said Prove Soupster and Myself and others wrong we want to be wrong but show us!

Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | December 28, 2021 at 07:44 PM

What I want to know is what will SHE say the first time he runs the ball into the middle of the defense with 8 men in the box for a 2 yard loss?

[AeroCane]

I’m so ready for his staff to be named! I think he has them, just not announcing until they all are available. I don’t know, just guessing.

[AeroCane]

What I want to know is what will SHE say the first time he runs the ball into the middle of the defense with 8 men in the box for a 2 yard loss?

Posted by: 86Cane

She’ll say ‘wow, he can recruit’
LOL

[HerbieIbis]

Dam that's tight.

[VA Cane]

OK....here goes...Thats what she said!!!!
'

[UMike]

Once again if he doesn't get much better at Coaching he will continue to fall short. This ain't Rocket Science!

Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | December 28, 2021 at 07:26 PM

Tsully... at the moment, Mario's "falling short" success has been better then what we've had. Mario has done more in his few years at Oregon then we have the entire time we've been in the ACC. I agree he still has areas to improve and prove he is a big time coach tho.

[nemo2020]

President Frenk just announced a return to "remote instruction only" untill (at least?) the end on January?

"In addition, indoor activities will be postponed until on-campus instruction begins" . . . ,

Does that mean that our basketball game tonight will be cancelled.
And what about practices and scheduled BB games between now and January 31?
And how will this affect football recruiting?

NOT GOOD!

[nemo2020]

The BB game is on now on ESPNU
We're way ahead of NCST.

[CGNC]

A Umike sighting! Yowza

[Terrance Sullivan]

Eh UMike! Tell me where I Lied on Mario I am Patiently Waiting!

[JCane]

UM offers Jonah La'ulu, a big DL from U Hawaii (transfer portal). More Chud rumors out there on the OC side. Guess we'll find out more in January. Yes, I'll kick back, have a drink, and let Mario figure it out, 86. I promise..