Tag: duke blue devils

Aug 30, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) goes to throw the ball against the Elon Phoenix during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Middle Tennessee standing in way of 4-0 start for Duke

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Duke aims to finish nonconference play with an unblemished record when it visits Middle Tennessee State for a Saturday afternoon clash in Murfreesboro, Tenn.

The Blue Devils (3-0) also eye their second consecutive 4-0 start and momentum heading into a Sept. 28 tilt against rival North Carolina in their Atlantic Coast Conference opener.

But first up are the Blue Raiders (1-2), who, like Duke, are led by a first-year head coach.

Despite this being the second head coaching stints for both Middle Tennessee’s Derek Mason and Duke’s Manny Diaz, they have never faced each other from opposing sidelines. Diaz was an assistant at Middle Tennessee nearly two decades ago, serving as the defensive coordinator there from 2006-09.

While Duke is coming off its third straight win after a 26-21 victory over UConn last weekend, MTSU hopes to bounce back from a 49-21 loss to Western Kentucky that Mason put on himself and no one else.

“At the end of the day, I don’t blame players, I blame me,” Mason said. “My shoulders are big enough. What we will do as a staff and as a team is hold each other accountable. Because that’s where the winning gets done.”

Middle Tennessee’s issues have shown up on defense, where it ranks 129th out of 133 FBS teams with 42 points allowed per game. Even in its lone win against FCS side Tennessee Tech, the Blue Raiders allowed 25 points.

Duke hasn’t had a problem finding the end zone, especially in crucial moments. Each of the Blue Devils’ past two wins — against UConn at home and on the road against Northwestern — required late-game comebacks.

“A lot that we have to improve on, but it’s always more fun to improve when you’re winning than when you’re not winning,” Diaz said. “(Undefeated) and eventually, going into league play where you know you’re going to be in tough games, you know you’re going to be in close games.

“What they have learned through these last couple of weeks is going to really bode well as we get further down into our season.”

The Blue Devils have been powered on offense by Texas transfer Maalik Murphy, who has thrown for 801 yards with eight touchdowns and leads all ACC quarterbacks in pass attempts with 122.

MTSU has a strong passing attack as well, led by Nicholas Vattiato who threw for 456 yards and three TDs against Western Kentucky.

–Field Level Media

Sep 6, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Jordan Moore (8) canít make a catch as Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Evan Smith (12) defends him during the second half at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Jordan Moore, Duke look to keep making plays vs. UConn

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Two basketball heavyweights will square off on the gridiron Saturday evening when UConn visits Duke for a non-conference matchup in Durham, N.C.

This will be just the fourth all-time meeting between the schools’ football teams. The Huskies recorded a 22-20 win in 2004 and a 45-14 victory in 2007 before the Blue Devils responded with a 41-7 decision last season.

Most of the offensive stars for Duke (2-0) have moved on since last year’s matchup, but UConn (1-1) still will have to contend with wide receiver Jordan Moore. He racked up eight catches for 86 yards and a touchdown in the 2023 meeting.

Moore has done plenty of damage this season, as well. He totaled seven catches for 112 yards in the Blue Devils’ season-opening win over Elon and then registered 11 grabs for 121 yards and a score in last weekend’s 26-20 double-overtime victory over Northwestern.

The Blue Devils overcame a foot injury to running back Jaquez Moore against the Wildcats, not to mention a litany of mistakes on the field — including an interception, a blocked punt, a muffed punt and a missed field goal.

“That’s just a testament to our culture,” Jordan Moore said. “The game’s not won in the first quarter. It’s won in the fourth or overtime. We keep fighting, we keep giving body blows, and we have faith that every single one of our teammates will make plays.”

The Huskies are feeling better as well after rolling past FCS foe Merrimack 63-17 last weekend. Joe Fagnano threw for five touchdowns and ran for another score for UConn, which led 56-7 at the break.

Fagnano was playing in place of Nick Evers, who suffered a concussion in UConn’s season-opening 50-7 loss to Maryland. Evers was just 6 of 17 for 73 yards in that contest before giving way to Fagnano.

“Joe was very calm, he read out his progressions, he threw the ball with accuracy, he ran the ball well,” Huskies coach Jim Mora Jr. said. “I was very pleased with his performance. … Nick’s situation will be evaluated daily by our medical staff.”

–Field Level Media

Aug 30, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) goes to throw the ball against the Elon Phoenix during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Duke looks to ignite offense in visit to Northwestern

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Duke and Northwestern did enough in their respective season-opening games to appreciate the results, but there are significant concerns for both teams entering Friday night’s non-conference matchup in Evanston, Ill.

“It’s going to be a line of scrimmage game,” Duke first-year coach Manny Diaz said.

Both teams will address offensive concerns. The Blue Devils (1-0) finally pulled away from Elon for a 26-3 home victory last Friday, while the Wildcats (1-0) eked out a 13-6 decision against visiting Miami (Ohio) on Saturday.

“Excited about the outcome from Saturday, but humble enough to know that we have a lot of work to do,” said Northwestern coach David Braun. “Excited to host Duke.”

Northwestern managed 328 yards of total offense in the opener. On the positive, quarterback Mike Wright did a solid job of getting off passes in a timely manner, and that could be vital against a Duke defense that recorded eight sacks versus Elon.

“That group knows that there’s a lot of continued growth that is necessary,” Braun said of the Northwestern offense.

Duke could be in another scrap without many big-yardage plays.

“Their defense is built to prevent the explosive plays,” Diaz said. “They do a great job of trying to make it difficult, trying to keep the score down.”

Yet the Blue Devils won’t be shy about testing the Northwestern defense.

“We want to be able to take those (downfield) shots and make those shots,” Diaz said.

Duke topped the Wildcats 38-14 last year in Northwestern’s first road game with Braun in charge as an interim coach. This week, it’s Duke making its first trip with a new coach.

In last year’s meeting, the offensive stars for then-No. 21 Duke were running back Jordan Waters and quarterback Riley Leonard, who are playing for North Carolina State and Notre Dame, respectively, this year.

But quarterback Maalik Murphy, a transfer from Texas, won last week in his Duke debut and showcased a sampling that could put the Wildcats on edge.

“They have a quarterback that might have the most live arm that we’ve seen in a long time,” Braun said. “There will be some unique stresses on our defense this week.”

Diaz has a history with Northwestern because he was in the Big Ten as Penn State’s defensive coordinator the past two years.

Duke leads the series with Northwestern 13-10, winning the past five meetings.

–Field Level Media

Jul 24, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy speaks to the media during the ACC Kickoff at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Manny Diaz era begins as Maalik Murphy, Duke face Elon

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New coach, new quarterback and new season for Duke.

The Blue Devils feature many fresh cast members and embark on a quest for a third consecutive winning season by facing visiting Elon on Friday night at Durham, N.C.

Manny Diaz is the first-year coach for Duke, arriving to replace Mike Elko after serving as Penn State’s defensive coordinator. He’s a former head coach at Miami from 2019-21.

“We want to create a high volume of negative plays,” Diaz said. “It’s important to us to lead the nation in tackle-for-losses.”

Duke will have Maalik Murphy, a former Texas starter, as its first-string quarterback.

“It’s kind of relief to me,” Murphy said. “A lot of work put in. I kind of give all thanks to the quarterback room. Those guys pushed me to the best of my ability.”

Murphy joined the program in January after two seasons at Texas, where he started in two of the seven games he played. The Longhorns defeated BYU and Kansas State in the two games Murphy started, but the QB-rich depth chart happens to include Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning.

Murphy beat out a group that included quarterbacks Grayson Loftis and Henry Belin IV, with the latter two each recording wins with Duke as starters. Loftis started the final five games of the 2023 season, with the Blue Devils winning three of those — including the Birmingham Bowl against Troy.

“We felt like there was no losers in the competition,” Diaz said. “We feel really good about our quarterback room, but we felt it was time (to name a starter).”

Elon, coming off a 6-5 season, was picked to finish sixth in the 16-team Coastal Athletic Association, which generally ranks high in the Football Championship Subdivision.

“We know who we’ve got,” Elon coach Tony Trisciani said of the team’s personnel. “The majority of the players have been recruited and developed by us. We know what we’ve got in this building.”

Elon has a quarterback with power-conference ties as well. Matthew Downing is with his fourth school and seventh collegiate season after stops at Georgia, Texas Christian and Louisiana Tech. He was with the Phoenix last year, starting in most of the team’s games and throwing for 19 touchdowns with four interceptions.

Elon’s defense has been a strong area for most recent seasons. Junior safety Caleb Curtain is the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year in the CAA.

“We need to do the same things a lot more consistently,” Curtain said. “A lot more little details we need to pay attention to.”

Elon lost each of its last three season-opening games.

The Phoenix last met Duke 10 years ago, with the Blue Devils winning 52-13 in the season opener.

–Field Level Media

Dec 23, 2023; Birmingham, AL, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Grayson Loftis (12) hands the ball off to Duke Blue Devils running back Jaquez Moore (9) during the first half against the Troy Trojans at Protective Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

Defense carries Duke past Troy in Birmingham Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Todd Pelino kicked three field goals and Duke relied mostly on defense to defeat Troy 17-10 in the Birmingham Bowl on Saturday in Birmingham, Ala., where interim coaches guided both teams.

Troy didn’t score until the second half but made a game of it until a late interception doomed the Trojans’ final chance.

Pelino had second-quarter field goals from 34 and 37 yards, including the latter on the last play of the first half. Combined with Jaylen Coleman’s 1-yard run late in the first quarter and Nicky Dalmolin’s two-point conversion run, the Blue Devils carried a 14-0 lead to halftime.

Quarterback Grayson Loftis finished the game 19-for-29 for 183 yards with an interception for the Blue Devils.

Duke (8-5) received 73 rushing yards from running back Jaquez Moore and 66 yards from running back Jordan Waters.

Troy quarterback Gunnar Watson completed 21 of 36 passes for 230 yards, and running back Kimani Vidal gained 79 yards on 17 carries. The Trojans (11-3), the Sun Belt Conference champions, had a 10-game winning streak end.

Both teams saw their previous coaches depart for other jobs after the regular season. Mike Elko left Duke to go to Texas A&M, while Jon Sumrall departed Troy for the Tulane position.

Trooper Taylor, the running backs coach, was in charge for Duke. Defensive coordinator Greg Gasparato oversaw Troy.

Troy finally got on the board on Scott Taylor Renfroe’s 44-yard field goal with 1:36 remaining in the third quarter. That capped a 10-play, 53-yard drive.

After Pelino’s 45-yarder with 13:29 remaining, the Blue Devils made a fourth-down stop that seemed critical at the time.

But Damaje Yancey’s interception gave the Trojans the ball back. They got going and moved 87 yards in 10 plays to score on Derrick Graham’s 2-yard run with 5:54 left.

Troy forced a Duke punt and started their last possession at its own 11-yard line with 1:40 left. Two plays later, Jeremiah Lewis intercepted Watson as Duke sealed the outcome to push its bowl winning streak to five games.

–Field Level Media

Nov 25, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils linebacker Tre Freeman (12) tacks Pittsburgh Panthers running back C'Bo Flemister (24) during the first half of the game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports

Duke owns second half to get past Pitt 30-19

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Grayson Loftis threw two touchdown passes and Duke went ahead late in the third quarter on the way to a 30-19 victory against visiting Pitt on Saturday afternoon at Durham, N.C.

The outcome clinched Duke’s second consecutive winning regular season under Mike Elko, who is gaining interest from programs with head coach openings.

Jordan Moore and Jalon Calhoun each had TD catches and combined for 15 receptions to help Loftis to 248 passing yards.

The Blue Devils (7-5, 4-4 ACC) won for only the second time in their last six games. They now await a bowl invitation.

Quarterback Nate Yarnell threw for 265 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Pitt (3-9, 2-6), which never won back-to-back games this season.

Duke clinched the outcome on Todd Pelino’s 48-yard field goal with 1:59 left. Pelino also delivered a 25-yard field goal on the opening possession of the second half for a 13-10 lead that came at the end of a 67-yard drive.

Pitt’s Ben Sauls tied it 13-13 from a season-long 47 yards out on Pitt’s first possession of the second half.

Loftis threw 15 yards to Calhoun for the first touchdown of the second half with 3:44 to go in the third quarter, giving Duke a 20-13 lead.

On the last play of the third quarter, Calhoun had a 32-yard pickup on a short pass to become the fourth player in Duke history to reach 3,000 career receiving yards.

Duke extended its lead to 27-13 on Jaquez Moore’s 3-yard run with 11:54 remaining.

On its next possession, Pitt drove inside the Duke 15 until Yarnell was picked off by Jeremiah Lewis. The Panthers got the ball back and Yarnell threw 14 yards to Bub Means for a touchdown at the 5:17 mark, though the score stayed at 27-19 when a two-point conversion pass failed.

The teams traded first-quarter field goals with Pelino good from 47 yards and Sauls connecting from 35 yards.

Pitt went up 10-3 on a 93-yard drive that consisted of 15 plays. Karter Johnson bulled his way to the end zone to complete a 21-yard pass play from Yarnell.

The Blue Devils needed only 25 yards to go back ahead on Loftis’ 10-yard, third-down pass to Jordan Moore. After pinning Pitt inside the 5-yard line, the Panthers managed just a 15-yard punt.

–Field Level Media

Nov 18, 2023; Charlottesville, Virginia, USA; Virginia Cavaliers wide receiver Malik Washington (4) scores a touchdown as Duke Blue Devils safety Jaylen Stinson (2) chases during the first quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Virginia extends home dominance over Duke, 30-27

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Anthony Colandrea threw three touchdown passes, Malik Washington broke two school records and host Virginia held off Duke 30-27 in Atlantic Coast Conference action Saturday in Charlottesville, Va.

The Cavaliers (3-8, 2-5 ACC) ended a three-game skid and gave the Blue Devils (6-5, 3-4) their fourth loss in five games.

Washington caught eight passes for 112 yards and two scores. His first touchdown broke Virginia’s single-season record for receiving yards and his second TD broke the single-season mark for receptions. It was Washington’s sixth straight 100-yard game and ninth of the season.

Washington has 96 catches for 1,311 yards. Olamide Zaccheaus (93 in 2018) and Dontayvion Wicks (1,203 in 2021) held the previous Virginia records.

Colandrea completed 21 of 30 passes for 278 yards and rushed for 66 yards. Malachi Fields added four catches for 74 yards and a TD.

Grayson Loftis threw for 278 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for Duke. Jaquez Moore ran for 100 yards and a touchdown and Jordan Moore gained 117 yards on nine receptions.

It was Virginia’s sixth straight win at home against Duke, which hasn’t won at Scott Stadium since 2013.

It was also the first ACC home victory for second-year coach Tony Elliott and ended an emotional week that marked the one-year anniversary of the shooting deaths of football players Devin Chandler, D’Sean Perry and Lavel Davis Jr.

It was 10-10 at halftime. Virginia struck first on Washington’s 34-yard TD in the first quarter. Duke responded with Jalon Calhoun’s 7-yard contested catch in the end zone in the second quarter.

The Cavaliers found the end zone on their first two second-half possessions. Colandrea’s 29-yard TD to Fields made it 17-10. After an interception by Caleb Hardy, Colandrea found Washington from 7 yards out for a 24-10 lead.

Duke converted a fourth down from its own 31-yard line before Moore broke off a 58-yard touchdown run to pull within 27-20 with 9:03 to play.

Virginia then used a “tush push” to convert a fourth down at midfield and Will Bettridge’s third field goal, from 30 yards, made it 30-20 with 3:48 left.

The Blue Devils trimmed it to 30-27 on Loftis’ 2-yard TD pass to Mehki Wall with 1:13 remaining but they were not able to recover the ensuing onside kick and Virginia ran out the clock.

–Field Level Media

Oct 28, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye (10) runs the ball against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the second half at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Drake Maye, No. 24 North Carolina dial up to take down Duke

Posted on | by Field Level Media

No. 24 North Carolina has one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in the country. Duke appears in a different situation entering the annual Atlantic Coast Conference date with its neighbor.

The teams meet in the Tar Heels’ home finale Saturday night when the Blue Devils try to get back to their winning ways in Chapel Hill, N.C.

The winner of the game will stay in the mix for a spot in the ACC championship game. This is the third-to-last game of the regular season.

North Carolina (7-2, 3-2 ACC) has lost its last two conference games, while Duke (6-3, 3-2) snapped a two-game slide by topping Wake Forest last week.

This might be the final home game for Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye, who’s expected to enter the 2024 NFL Draft.

Coach Mack Brown said Maye will have the option to go through Senior Day activities.

“It’s not my place to tell him to,” Brown said. “He’s very emotional, and he just wants to win. And you all have seen him, he’s so humble that he doesn’t want attention brought to himself. I think it would be cool for him to walk out there, for everybody to say thank you.”

On Tuesday, Maye said he wouldn’t participate in those ceremonies to avoid being a distraction to the senior football players.

Three different starting quarterbacks have directed Duke victories this season. Most recently, that was freshman Grayson Loftis against the Demon Deacons.

So unless Riley Leonard and Henry Belin IV unexpectedly return from injuries, Loftis will make his second career start — and his first on the road.

“It’s trying to find the things that you know he’s going to be able to go out there and execute,” Duke coach Mike Elko said. “You just don’t want to expose him in really awkward, difficult situations and force him to try to make plays or challenge him to make plays that are difficult. That’s what you’re trying to do as a play caller.”

Duke’s defense rates tops in the ACC in some categories, while North Carolina’s offense is a high-powered unit.

“They’re certainly dangerous and they certainly can hurt us, but we also have a lot of confidence in who we are,” Elko said.

Brown is in his second stint as North Carolina’s coach. He has been in charge in 12 consecutive North Carolina victories in the series, last falling to the Blue Devils in 1989.

“And two of our games (recently with Duke) have come down to the last play of the game,” Brown said. “So this is a great game, a great rivalry. So along with Senior Day, homecoming, a packed house, night game, it should be a tremendous setting for this weekend.”

Last year, the Tar Heels scored the winning points on Maye’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Antoine Green with 16 seconds remaining. The teams combined for 1,078 yards of total offense in last year’s meeting, which had seven lead changes.

Duke and North Carolina have competed for the Victory Bell in football since 1948.

“Everybody knows what this game means and what this game is about around here,” Elko said. “It’s an opportunity for our seniors to go and compete and try to get the bell and bring the bell back here to Durham and so that’s not something that we take lightly. We understand how important that is to our fans, our alumni, and all the people associated with Duke football.”

–Field Level Media

The Duke Blue Devils lead the Florida State Seminoles 20-17 at the half on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.

No. 4 Florida State rallies from early hole to beat No. 16 Duke

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jordan Travis spearheaded two drives that resulted in fourth-quarter touchdowns as fourth-ranked Florida State overcame No. 16 Duke 38-20 Saturday night in Tallahassee, Fla.

Travis ran 2 yards to complete a 96-yard drive early in the fourth quarter and then threw 21 yards to Lawrance Toafili less than five minutes later in the Atlantic Coast Conference showdown.

The Seminoles (7-0, 5-0 ACC) are the only ACC team without a league loss.

Duke (5-2, 2-1) lead at intermission but couldn’t get going in the second half. Quarterback Riley Leonard, who was injured in the waning seconds three weeks earlier in a loss to Notre Dame, was back in a starting role, but he didn’t have his normal impact and was replaced in the fourth quarter after he was shaken up.

Leonard, who has been one of the nation’s top dual-threat quarterbacks, ended up 7-for-16 for 69 yards with an interception. He carried once for 13 yards.

Travis was 27-for-36 passing for 268 passing yards with two scores and an interception. He also gained a team-high 62 yards on the ground on 10 carries.

Duke’s Jaquez Moore gained 110 yards on 16 carries, but had only 10 yards in the second half.

Florida State trailed 20-17 when it finally got rolling. Travis threw or ran for 80 of the 96 yards on the long go-ahead drive. He was good for 73 of the 74 yards on the next drive, capped by 21-yard touchdown pass to Toafili with 8:18 left.

Rodney Hill ran 9 yards for the final touchdown with 4:15 left.

Duke led 10-0 barely more than eight minutes into the game. Moore opened the scoring on a 42-yard run. Following Florida State’s second failed fourth-down play, Todd Pelino kicked a 45-yard field goal.

Then the Seminoles drove 85 yards on 13 plays to score on Travis’ 7-yard pass to Caziah Holmes with 13 seconds to play in the opening quarter.

The momentum shifted back and fourth in the second quarter. Duke’s Chandler Rivers intercepted Travis on a tipped pass and made a 13-yard return for a touchdown. But Florida State’s Deuce Spann answered with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Pelino’s 33-yard field goal made it 20-17 at halftime.

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard (13) runs a keeper during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Duke QB Riley Leonard game-time call vs. Florida State

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Duke quarterback Riley Leonard is considered to be a game-time decision for Saturday’s contest at No. 4 Florida State, ESPN reported.

Leonard, who is expected to participate in pregame drills on Saturday, is nursing a high ankle sprain suffered in the Blue Devils’ 21-14 loss to Notre Dame on Sept. 30.

Redshirt freshman Henry Belin IV would receive his second straight start for No. 16 Duke (5-1, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) if Leonard is unable to play against the Seminoles (6-0, 4-0).

Belin completed just 4 of 12 passes for 107 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in the Blue Devils’ 24-3 victory over North Carolina State on Oct. 13.

Leonard has completed 79 of 125 passes for 912 yards, three touchdowns and one interception this season. He also has rushed for 326 yards and four scores.

–Field Level Media