By BRYAN STRICKLAND

bstrickland@heraldsun.com; 419-6671

DURHAM -- When Duke quarterback Thad Lewis and wide receivers Donovan Varner and Conner Vernon face Miami in a critical road game Saturday, they hope to make the passing game look as easy as playing catch in the back yard.

They know it won't be easy against Miami's athletic defense, but at least they will be in their back yard.

"It's very exciting for me to go home and play my hometown team, the team that I watched growing up," Varner said. "It would be fun to get a win. I could talk a lot of trash to my friends."

Mix in right guard Brian Moore, and the Blue Devils have four starters on offense from Miami, a school rich in football tradition located on the outskirts of a city rich in football talent.

Duke coach David Cutcliffe, who has been recruiting south Florida for nearly three decades now, said the area produces more pro football players than any other in the country.

"Miami is an interesting place," he said. "I started recruiting down there around 1982, and when I went in the schools, I was just amazed by the schools and the athletes.

"Those kids compete, and they start when they're tiny. I think it prepares those kids well for what they'll face in college football."

Duke's foursome certainly seemed prepared.

Lewis has started since the second game of his true freshman year and holds nearly every Duke career passing record. Varner contributed as a true freshman last year and Vernon is doing the same this year. So far in 2009, they've combined for 90 catches and eight touchdowns. Moore is one of just three redshirt freshmen in the ACC that were listed as starters before the season.

The majority of Miami natives, not surprisingly, grow up "orange and green" as Vernon put it. Not everyone, of course, can play for their hometown team, but that can lead to added motivation when players return to their roots.

"I have a chip on my shoulder about that," Varner said. "It will be an emotional game. I loved watching them growing up and I always wanted to play for them. Unfortunately I didn't get the opportunity, but I'm lucky to be here at Duke.

"They recruited me but didn't offer me, so I took it elsewhere. I'm proud to be here. I'm glad I made this decision."

After the city of Miami's deep pool of talent disperses, it inevitably comes back together again. Take the case of Lewis and Miami quarterback Jacory Harris, who have known each other since their youngest days.

Both are candidates for All-ACC honors, ranking in the top three in passing yards in the conference. Lewis has 16 touchdown passes against just six interceptions; Harris has 19 TDs but also an ACC-high 16 interceptions.

"I grew up with Jacory, playing at the same Optimist (Club) together," Lewis said. "He's doing good. Obviously you want to cut down on your interceptions as a quarterback, but that comes with maturity and experience.

"I'm pretty sure he will cut down on those. Not this week, though. But I always want to see him do good, no matter what. I don't wish interceptions on him, but I'll wish that we can keep getting three-and-outs."



INJURY NOTE

Duke will be without defensive leader Vince Oghobaase for the second straight game and without several key offensive contributors for Saturday's game at Miami (noon, ESPNU), but the Blue Devils could finally get one of their starting linebackers back.

Oghobaase, who hadn't missed a game in his first three seasons, will miss his fourth game of the season, according to Duke's weekly injury report released Thursday. Oghobaase has a leg injury.

On offense, starting left guard Mitchell Lederman has been ruled out for the remainder of the season with a foot injury, and wide receiver Johnny Williams (knee) and running back Re'quan Boyette (leg) have been ruled out for the Miami game.

The only good news on the injury front is that linebacker Abraham Kromah, who has the last five games with a leg injury, is listed as probable.

The probable list also includes wide receiver Austin Kelly, who suffered an upper body injury late in last Saturday's loss to Georgia Tech. It also includes quarterback Thad Lewis, linebacker Vincent Rey and kicker Will Snyderwine for the second consecutive week. All three were able to play last week.

Lewis and Rey have been named game captains along with defensive end Ayanga Okpokowuruk and right guard Brian Moore.