Ward gave Miami (8-0, 4-0 ACC) an early 7-0 lead after completing a 34-yard touchdown to wide receiver Xavier Restrepo.

Ward created something out of nothing in the piece. He dodged the Blue Devils’ pass rush by going into the pocket, then backing away and rolling to his right. He uncorked the football just before it was drilled by a Duke defender.

Duke safety Terry Brown got the ball with one hand and directed it to Restrepo for a touchdown.

Ward added a second passing touchdown later in the first quarter to give the Hurricanes a 14-0 lead.

In September, Ward earned pole position in the Heisman rankings. He has since been passed by Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter, néeHowever, the race could get closer if Ward continues to make plays like his first touchdown against Duke.

Entering Week 10, Ward completed 191 of 281 passes (68%) for an ACC-high 2,746 yards, 24 touchdowns and five interceptions. He had added 42 carries for 186 yards and three rushing touchdowns.

According to ESPN’s Football Power Index, Miami is the favorite to win the ACC (54.7%) and has an 89.1% chance of reaching the 12-team College Football Playoff.