Connette Highlights Duke Scrimmage

Brandon ConnetteDURHAM, N.C. – Redshirt junior quarterback Brandon Connette completed 14-of-21 passes for 152 yards and one touchdown while rushing for a game-high 67 yards and another score to highlight Duke’s 100-snap scrimmage on Monday evening in Wallace Wade Stadium.

“What we did was look at a lot of different personnel groupings,” said head coach David Cutcliffe. “We took portions of our starters and mixed in twos and mixed in freshmen. We wanted to see how people responded, best versus best. All the way through the scrimmage we did that, blending in our youngest players. We have over a hundred snaps to evaluate on tape. It was good and hot. It was in the nineties. It was a good test all around. For the most part, we came out healthy.”

Connette, who darted 47 yards to set up his own four-yard touchdown run, compiled 219 yards of total offense and hooked up with wideout Anthony Nash for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Fellow redshirt junior quarterback Anthony Boone was 12-of-25 through the air for 139 yards with two interceptions while freshman Parker Boehme hit on eight-of-nine throws for 84 yards including a 22-yard scoring toss to Ryan Smith.

Smith finished the night with a game-high five receptions for 84 yards while Nash had four catches for 41 yards. Max McCaffrey added four receptions for 42 yards. Freshman running back Joseph Ajeigbe gained 49 yards on eight attempts.

“I think everybody saw Ryan Smith,” Cutcliffe said. “He has short-area quickness that’s incredible. He’s going to make plays.”

Defensively, redshirt freshman Devon Edwards and freshman Breon Borders registered interceptions while redshirt freshman Michael Westray recovered one fumble. Redshirt freshman defensive end Allen Jackson posted two tackles for loss including one quarterback sack.

The Blue Devils kick off the 2013 season at home against N.C. Central on Saturday, August 31 at 4 p.m. in Wallace Wade Stadium. Tickets are available now at www.GoDuke.com/tickets.