Sports
Duke coach Manny Diaz makes homecoming to Miami vs. No. 5 Canes
Aug 30, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz runs out onto the field before the game against the Elon Phoenix at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images The game between No. 5 Miami and visiting Duke on Saturday afternoon feels a bit personal.
That’s because of the presence of Manny Diaz, a Miami native who is in his first season as the Blue Devils’ head coach.
Diaz was the Hurricanes’ defensive coordinator (2016-18) and their head coach (2019-21). Current Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal got a 10-year, $80 million from Miami after Diaz got fired.
That’s just one of the subplots of this Atlantic Coast Conference game in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Miami (8-0, 4-0), which is off to its best start since going 10-0 to begin 2017, is powered by an explosive offense and enters the game as a big favorite.
The Hurricanes rank No. 1 in the nation in average points scored (46.8) and third-down-conversion percentage (59.8).
Miami quarterback Cam Ward is second nationally in passing touchdowns (24) and third in passing yards per game (343.3).
But it’s not just Ward.
Miami’s Xavier Restrepo ranks second in the ACC in receiving yards (710). For his career, he is second in Hurricanes history with 174 catches and third with 2,427 receiving yards. He moved past ex-NFL stars Reggie Wayne and Michael Irvin, respectively, in those categories. Both career records are in sight.
At running back, Miami relies on starter Mark Fletcher Jr., Damien Martinez and Ajay Allen, who has the speed and moves to break tired defenses.
Last week, in a 36-14 win over Florida State, the 232-pound Martinez bruised his way to 148 rushing yards, a 9.9-yard average and two touchdowns.
“Damien’s a tough dude who’s hard to bring down,” Cristobal said. “You’re not going to arm-tackle him.”
However, Duke’s strength is on defense, where it ranks second in the ACC in average points allowed (18.6). Nationally, the Blue Devils are tied with Alabama for 20th place in that category.
The Blue Devils (6-2, 2-2) also are No. 1 in the nation in fumbles recovered (10).
The other interesting matchup on Saturday is Miami’s vulnerable defense — which has allowed 34 or more points in three of its past four games — against a shaky Duke offense that ranks tied for 14th in the league in scoring (26.0).
Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy spent his first two college seasons with the Texas Longhorns, and he appeared in seven games (two starts) in relief of QB Quinn Ewers, completing 40 of 71 passes for 477 yards and three touchdowns, with three interceptions.
This season, the 6-foot-5 redshirt sophomore has completed 58.6 percent of his passes for 17 TDs, with five interceptions.
Murphy’s top playmakers are running back Star Thomas and a pair of wide receivers who could give Miami trouble: Eli Pancol and Jordan Moore.
Thomas has 785 scrimmage yards and six TDs. Pancol has 36 receptions, 446 yards and six TDs. And Moore has 34 catches, 481 yards and four TDs.
As for Diaz, 50, he isn’t billing it as a “revenge” game
.
“Revenge is a poor motivation,” he said when asked about facing the Hurricanes. “I learned a lot at Miami. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough, but that’s OK.
“I will say that the ACC schedule-makers have a heck of a sense of humor.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
A's place top pitcher J.T. Ginn (blister) on 15-day IL
Jul 18, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics starting pitcher J.T. Ginn (35) throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images The Athletics placed right-hander J.T. Ginn on the 15-day injured list Wednesday due to a blister on his right middle finger.
The move is retroactive to Saturday for Ginn, who leads the team’s starters in wins (eight), ERA (3.46) and strikeouts (100) while making 22 appearances (19 starts) this season.
Ginn, 27, allowed just one hit and struck out seven batters over 6 1/3 scoreless innings in a 15-1 romp over the Washington Nationals in his last trip to the mound.
He is 13-14 with a 4.20 ERA in 53 career games (41 starts) with the Athletics.
Also on Wednesday, the A’s recalled right-hander Mason Barnett from Triple-A Las Vegas.
Barnett, 25, is 1-0 with two saves and a 4.64 ERA in 13 relief appearances with the Athletics this season. He is 3-1 with a 4.34 ERA in 10 games (all starts) with the Aviators.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jasper Philipsen wins Stage 17 of Tour de France
Premier Tech’s Jasper Philipsen reacts after winning stage 17 of the Tour de France. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/Pool Jasper Philipsen won his first Tour de France stage of 2026 and the 11th of his career on Wednesday to extend a win streak by Belgian riders.
Philipsen’s victory in Stage 17 from Chambery to Voiron followed countryman Remco Evenepoel’s back-to-back triumphs in Stages 15 and 16, the longest streak for Belgium since 1981.
Philipsen, 28, completed the flat 174.7-kilometer trek just ahead of Switzerland’s Mauro Schmid and the Netherlands’ Olav Kooij.
Four-time champion Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia maintained the overall leader’s yellow jersey. His lead over Evenepoel is 4 minutes and 32 seconds, with Mexico’s Isaac del Toro in third place.
Stage 18 on Thursday is a mountainous 185.2-kilometer journey from Voiron to Orcieres-Merlette. The 113th edition of the Tour de France concludes on Sunday in Paris.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Inter Miami sign Brazilian superstar M Casemiro
June 29, 2026; Houston, Texas, U.S.; Brazil’s Casemiro celebrates after the match. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Inter Miami announced the signing of Brazilian superstar midfielder Casemiro on Wednesday.
Casemiro, 34, is under contract through 2027 with an option until June 2029 following five years with Premier League side Manchester United. Inter Miami acquired his discovery priority from the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Casemiro just helped Brazil reach the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, increasing his career totals to 91 caps and 10 goals with the national team. It was his third World Cup.
“What motivates me the most, and I think this is true for every player, is winning and continuing to grow. The project the club presented to me, along with the effort everyone made to bring me here, means a lot to me,” Casemiro said.
“I’m incredibly grateful, and I can’t wait to get started so I can repay that trust — not only during the 90 minutes on matchday, but every day in training as well. All I can say is thank you, and I’ll give everything I have to return the affection and confidence the club has shown me.”
Casemiro has recorded 73 goals and 61 assists in 663 club appearances with Brazil’s Sao Paulo, Spain’s Real Madrid, Portugal’s Porto and Manchester United. His 21 club trophies include five UEFA Champions League titles and three La Liga crowns with Real Madrid from 2013-22.
“Casemiro’s arrival reflects the vision and ambition that define Inter Miami,” said managing owner Jorge Mas. “We never settle. We’re always looking to grow, improve, and raise our standards every season. We’ve built a global club with the vision of becoming not only the best club in the United States, but also a benchmark globally.
“Casemiro embodies everything this club stands for: leadership, a winning mentality, and an extraordinary track record at the highest level of the game,” Mas added. “After achieving virtually everything there is to achieve in fútbol, his decision to join Inter Miami shows that he shares our ambition and our commitment to the highest standards as we continue building for the future. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the Inter Miami family.”
Casemiro now joins forces with Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, his former rivals at FC Barcelona.
“I’m very proud to welcome Casemiro and his family to Inter Miami,” said co-owner David Beckham. “He is a person and a player that I have admired for a long time. He is a winner who has achieved so much in the game, and after such an incredible career with Real Madrid and Manchester United, I’m delighted that he’s decided to make Miami his next home.”
Defending MLS Cup champion Inter Miami (15-9-2, 31 points) are in second place in the Eastern Conference as they return from the World Cup break to host the Chicago Fire on Wednesday night.
–Field Level Media
A's place top pitcher J.T. Ginn (blister) on 15-day IL
Jasper Philipsen wins Stage 17 of Tour de France
