BLACKSBURG, Va.– The Duke football team fell to 23rd-ranked Virginia Tech, 44-7, Saturday afternoon in front of 66,233 sun-splashed fans at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Va.
The Hokies improve to 6-2 overall and 4-0 in ACC action while the Blue Devils fall to 1-6 overall and 0-4 in the league.
Virginia Tech quarterback Tyrod Taylor completed 13-of-17 pass attempts for 280 yards and 280 touchdowns to lead the Hokies, who claimed a 7-0 lead just over seven minutes into the first period when Taylor found tight end Andre Smith for a 14-yard scoring toss to cap a five-play, 57-yard drive. Following Duke’s next possession, Virginia Tech’s Jayron Hosley returned a Duke punt 61 yards to set up a one-yard touchdown run by Ryan Williams to give the Hokies a 14-0 advantage with 1:30 remaining in the opening quarter.
After Holsey intercepted a pass by Duke quarterback Brandon Connette, the Hokies marched 24 yards in six plays to take a 21-0 lead on a two-yard touchdown plunge by Darren Evans. The teams went to intermission with the score 27-0 after Chris Hazley booted a pair of field goals in the final 2:37 of the half.
Taylor threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to flanker Dyrell Roberts on Virginia Tech’s first possession of the third quarter, extending the home team’s lead to 34-0. Duke responded with a nine-play, 56-yard drive that resulted in a six-yard touchdown run by running back Jay Hollingsworth. The drive, which was set up by Desmond Scott’s 36-yard kickoff return, was keyed by Connette’s 19-yard run that gave Duke a first-and-goal from the Hokie six yard line.
On the Hokies’ next possession, Taylor found David Wilson down the sideline for a 65-yard touchdown pass to make the score 41-7 with 5:08 left in the third quarter. Hazley’s third field goal of the day – this one from 22 yards away – pushed the margin to 37 points late in the third period.
Virginia Tech scored on eight of its first nine offensive possessions to secure its sixth consecutive victory of the season.
For the Blue Devils, quarterback Sean Renfree hit on 12-of-32 passes for 116 yards while Connette paced the ground attack with 43 yards on eight carries. Wideout Conner Vernon finished with six receptions for 44 yards.
Duke steps out of conference action next week by travelling to Annapolis, Md., to meet the U.S. Naval Academy. Kick-off is set for 3:30 p.m. and the game will be televised live by CBS College Sports.
Dawkins throws down a dunk on his way to 20 points Sarturday evening as Duke defeats St. Aug's 141-68
DURHAM - The Duke Blue Devils looked like a bunch of roadrunners on Saturday evening on their way to a whopping 141-68 exhibition victory over the defending CIAA Champions, St. Augustine's. No matter who Duke went to on a ten player deep bench they didn't lose a thing no matter who was on the court.
Kyle Singler led Duke with 31 points and 8 boards, while six of his teammates scored in double figures. "I thought Kyle played great tonight. He's been shooting the ball like that," said Krzyzewski in his post game press conference.
Dawkins dropped 20, Irving 17, Curry and Smith had 15 apiece while Kelly added 12. Duke shot 65.7% from the field and the most impressive stat were their 39-0 edge in fast break points. Duke held a 34-13 edge in points off turnovers as well.
Duke doubled St. Augustine's in the paint 40-20 and six Blue Devils had multiple three point buckets and that will obviously be a major strength of this seasons team.
"This is a good shooting team and we want a lot of possessions because we can space the court. The thing we have to do is play defense and rebound and if we do that we can be very, very good," said Krzyzewski.
BDN Sidebar - Duke will have 12 days before they take to the court again against Cal Poly-Pomona in their final exhibition game and they open the season on November 14th for real against Princeton in the O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic. Duke scrimmaged with ACC officials this past week and Coach praised the guards assist-turnover ratio, but mentioned that the bigs were not as effective. Coach told me that the big men needed to be effective with fewer shots this season during Operation Basketball and he had to like Mason Plumlees total of 6-6 from the field to go with a 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks which epitomizes what he is looking for. Check back in for more on Sunday and bookmark Blue Devil Nation for some of the best Duke Hoops coverage you'll find.
DURHAM - Duke dropped a 28-13 decision to Miami on Saturday afternoon in Wallace Wade Stadium and once again turnovers killed any chance for victory. The Blue Devils lost the ball 7 times, 5 on interceptions. Coach Cutcliffe addressed the media after the game and here are his comments.
Duke (1-4) begins the second half of their season at 1:00 on Saturday in Wallace Wade Stadium, where they will take on the Miami Hurricanes (3-2). With basketball season kicking off Friday night, the Blue Devil Nation will be out in force in Durham this weekend. BDN previews Saturday’s matchup with the Canes and what it will take for a Blue Devil victory.
Duke in Week 5
The Blue Devils’ last game was two weeks ago in College Park, where they fell to the Terrapins, 21-16. The Blue Devils outplayed the Terrapins for much of the game, but the key factors in the loss were red zone offense, turnovers, and special teams. Duke traveled to the red zone 4 times in the first half, coming away with only 9 points, and a 9-7 halftime lead. An 84-yard kick return for a touchdown and a 71-yard touchdown pass put the Blue Devils in a second half hole once again. The offense rallied, but came up short, ultimately failing to overcome their 2-0 turnover deficit. During the bye week, the Blue Devils underwent a thorough self-examination, and expect to see some personnel and schematic changes as they take the field on Saturday.
Miami in Week 6
The Hurricanes put forth their worst effort of the season last Saturday evening, falling at home to the rival Florida State Seminoles 45-17. The Canes were dominated from the start, and found themselves in a 21-0 hole early in the second quarter. The team failed to consistently match the Seminoles intensity and physical play, which resulted in many fans and analysts questioning their coaching and leadership. The previously-dominant Hurricanes’ defense gave up an astonishing 471 total yards, including 298 on the ground. Jacory Harris finished the day just 19/47 for 225 yards and an interception. Damien Berry paced the ground game with 101 yards on 20 carries and a touchdown.
Analysis
Miami is a team of big, physical athletes that will challenge the Blue Devils in all areas of the game. Duke should be near full strength after a week off, and the Hurricanes expect Jacory Harris to play, despite a recent groin pull. The Hurricanes enter the game at the top of the ACC in total defense, giving up just over 300 total yards per game, and also first in pass defense, giving up just 143 yards through the air per game. The defense is effective in bringing pressure, already totaling 11 sacks and 11 turnovers on the season. Perhaps the most telling statistic is tackles for loss, where the Hurricanes lead the NCAA with 48 total tackles for loss. The Hurricanes will get after the Blue Devils from all angles, led by LBs Sean Spence and Colin McCarthy. On the defensive front, the pass rush will be led by Olivier Vernon and Andrew Smith, each with 3 solo sacks on the year. The Hurricanes’ secondary is fast and physical and has already grabbed 7 interceptions on the year.
Offensively, Miami has several weapons, most notably RB Damien Berry and WR Leonard Hankerson. Berry is averaging 4.9 yards per carry, while Hankerson enters the game 2nd in the ACC in receiving at 92 yards per game and 6 touchdowns. RB Graig Cooper is healthy again after a week 1 injury and will bolster the Canes’ rushing attack. The slowly improving Blue Devil defense will have to contain these explosive weapons to keep the Hurricanes out of the end zone. Jacory Harris enters the game averaging 220 yards passing and a total of 10 touchdowns. That being said, Harris has continued to be plagued by poor throws and interceptions. If Duke can apply pressure and good coverage, they should be able to force Harris into turnovers and keep themselves in the game. Miami also enters the game last in the ACC in penalties, averaging 68.6 yards per game, which could help sustain Blue Devil drives and stall the Hurricanes. The advantage should go to Duke in the kicking game, where Will Snyderwine is 9/10 on the year, while Miami’ s Matt Bosher enters the game just 5/8.
The keys to the game are fairly obvious for the Blue Devils:
TURNOVERS: Both QBs have been plagued by interceptions this year, and the team that takes care of the football will win this game.
BIG PLAYS: Duke has been burned by several big plays, including 2 in their last contest against Maryland. Miami has the athletes capable of torching the Blue Devils if given the chance.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Miami features two explosive returners in Travis Benjamin and Lamar Miller. Both have already returned kicks for touchdowns this year, and will be looking to do so again if the Blue Devils have any lapses in coverage.
BDN Prediction
The Blue Devils have given the Hurricanes a scare in recent years, forcing Miami to win the last two contests in the 4th quarter. Those Duke teams showed a mental toughness we have yet to see from the 2010 Blue Devils, but a victory over a top 25 caliber opponent would be just the boost this team needs. Duke’s overall effort has improved in recent weeks, particularly on defense, and will have to take another big step forward on Saturday to compete with “The U.”
BDN staff consensus pick - Miami 40 Duke 23
Kelly played in the N.C> Pro Am this summer - BDN Photo/Rick Crank
DURHAM - Duke sophomore Ryan Kelly talks about his off season weight gain and the return of Nolan Smith and Kyle Singler to this seasons team in BDN's latest audio interview.
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