Duke Looking To Snap Their Four -Game Losing Skid As They Visit Virginia Tech
After dropping their fourth straight game at Brooks Field @ Wallace Wade a week ago to Pittsburgh Duke now goes on the road as they head to Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech who is ranked thirteenth in this weeks AP Top 25 College Football Rankings.
Now in its 105th season of football, Duke travels to face No. 13 Virginia Tech at 7:20 p.m., on Saturday, October 28
• Duke is 4-4 overall and 1-4 in the ACC following last week’s 24-17 loss to Pittsburgh ... Coming off a 52-7 win over North Carolina, Virginia Tech is 6-1 overall and 2-1 in league play
• Virginia Tech leads the all-time series over Duke, 15-9 ... The Hokies won last year’s meeting, 24-21, in Durham ... The series dates back to 1937 with a 25-0 win for Duke in Greensboro ... Duke and Virginia Tech engaged in the longest game in ACC history (4 OT) in 2015
• The Blue Devils travel to Blacksburg this week aiming to secure their third consecutive victory in Lane Stadium ... In its last two visits, Duke posted wins over the Hokies by scores of 13-10 in 2013 and 45-43 in four overtimes in 2015 ... Prior to Duke’s two straight wins in consecutive trips to Blacksburg, the last team to win twice in a row in Lane Stadium was Virginia in 1992 and 1994 "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22680&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674711&DB_OEM_ID=4200
• Duke and Virginia Tech have split the last four meetings with a combined four-game scoring difference of nine points
• Duke holds an all-time record of 28-138-6 against nationally-ranked opponents (AP poll) ... The Blue Devils have secured at least one victory over a ranked foe in each of the past four seasons and are 5-6 in their last 11 games as an unranked squad against a ranked team dating back to 2013 "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22680&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674711&DB_OEM_ID=4200
• Dating back to the 2013 season, the Blue Devils are 32-20 (.615) in their last 52 regular season games
• Duke enters the Virginia Tech game having won 15 of its last 24 (.625) road games dating back to 2013
• Duke has lost three consecutive games by seven points each, versus Virginia (28-21), Florida State (17-10) and Pittsburgh (24-17) ... The last time the Blue Devils lost three straight contests by seven or fewer points came in 1987 with defeats in consecutive outings against Rutgers (7-0), Clemson (17-10) and Maryland (23-22)
• QB Daniel Jones has thrown six TD passes of 20+ yards this season to six different receivers: TE Davis Koppenhaver (28 yards vs. North Carolina), WR Johnathan Lloyd (24 yards vs. N.C. Central), WR T.J. Rahming (39 yards vs. Pitt), WR Chris Taylor (52 yards vs. Northwestern), RB Shaun Wilson (58 yards vs. Pitt) and WR Aaron Young (54 yards vs. N.C. Central)
• Over his last 11 games dating back to last season, WR T.J. Rahming has 72 receptions for 900 yards, including six 100-yard outings: against North Carolina (8-100 in 2016), Pittsburgh (10-116 in 2016 & 8-142 in 2017), Miami (10-117 in 2016), Northwestern (12-127 in 2017) and Florida State (8-111 in 2017) "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22680&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674711&DB_OEM_ID=4200
• Duke is tied for the ACC lead while ranking tied for fourth nationally in interceptions with 12, trailing only South Florida (16), Northern Illinois (13) and California (13) ... CB Mark Gilbert leads the Blue Devils with four interceptions and his 0.50 interceptions per game average ranks tied second in the ACC and tied for 12th nationally
40+ & 500+ — Pass receptions and receiving yards for the third consecutive season for WR T.J. Rahming ... In 32 career games, Rahming has 157 catches for 1,880 yards
140.6 — All-purpose yards per game average for RB Shaun Wilson to rank third in the ACC
3 — Team-leading TD receptions for TE Davis Koppenhaver this season
5 — Total Blue Devils with at least 6.5 stops for lost yardage on the season: Joe Giles-Harris (13.5), Tre Hornbuckle (8.5), Mike Ramsay (8.0), Ben Humphreys (8.0) & Victor Dimukeje (6.5)
6 — Duke record scoring runs of 50+ yards for RB Shaun Wilson ... The previous school standard of four was held by George Clark (1944-47) and Jay Wilkinson (1961-63)
+3 — Turnover margin for Duke this season after posting a -4 ledger last season
23.0 — Career TFL in 20 games for LB Joe Giles-Harris
4 — Duke all-time record of career interception returns for TDs for CB Bryon Fields Jr. ... The scores came against Tulane (2014), Pittsburgh (2016), N.C. Central (2017) & North Carolina (2017) "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22680&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674711&DB_OEM_ID=4200
4 — Seasons with 3+ rushing TDs for RB Shaun Wilson, matching the school record previously set by Tom Davis (1941-42-43-44), George Clark (1944-45-46-47) and Jela Duncan (2012-13-15-16)
50-6 — Duke’s record under David Cutcliffe when leading or tied after three quarters of action
14.35 — Recorded time for S Jeremy McDuffie in the 110-meter hurdles to earn all-league honors at the 2017 ACC Track & Field Championship meet ... McDuffie also garnered All-ACC accolades in the triple jump
20 & 10 — Daniel Jones is one of three QBs in Duke history to post 20+ passing TDs and 10+ rushing TDs in a career, joining Leo Hart (23 & 13; 1968-70) and Anthony Boone (38 & 16; 2011-14) ... In 20 career games, Jones has 24 passing TDs and 10 rushing TDs
2 — Players in Duke history — Brandon Connette & Daniel Jones — to record 300+ passing yards and 100+ rushing yards in a single game
Connette vs. Pitt (2013): 323 & 101
Jones vs. Northwestern (2017): 305 & 108 "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22680&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674711&DB_OEM_ID=4200
As for Duke's last game they lost to Pittsburgh,
After having a great start to the season the last four games for Duke have resulted in losses including Saturday when they hosted Pittsburgh at Brooks Field@ Wallace Wade.
Pittsburgh outscored Duke 10-0 in the fourth quarter and held off a late Blue Devil drive to come away with the 24-17 victory this afternoon at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Blue Devils held a 17-14 lead going into the final session, but couldn’t hold off the Panthers in the final period. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674173&DB_OEM_ID=4200
Duke falls to 4-4 overall and 1-4 in ACC play, while Pittsburgh improves to 3-5 overall and 1-3 against conference foes. The Blue Devils hit the road to Virginia Tech before their bye week Nov. 4."according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674173&DB_OEM_ID=4200
Blue Devil quarterback Daniel Jones finished the afternoon 15-of-33 for 272 yards and two touchdowns. Shaun Wilson led the running game with 42 yards on 11 carries and had one touchdown reception. Duke struggled offensively at times and amassed 359 yards of offense, 216 of which came in the second half. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674173&DB_OEM_ID=4200
The Blue Devils put together an outstanding final drive in efforts to tie the game before Pittsburgh’s defense took advantage of a tipped pass and intercepted the ball to ice the victory with 45 seconds remaining. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674173&DB_OEM_ID=4200
Darrin Hall was the story of the game for the Panthers, running 24 times for 254 yards, 171 of which came on two of his touchdown runs. He scored all three touchdowns for Pittsburgh. Quarterback Ben DiNucci threw just 18 times, completing eight for 149 yards. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674173&DB_OEM_ID=4200
The first half was a defensive battle with the two teams combining for only 10 points despite the 351 yards of combined offense. Pittsburgh opened the scoring on the first play of its second drive as Darrin Hall raced 79 yards up the middle for the 7-0 lead. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674173&DB_OEM_ID=4200
Duke, after making its way to the 6-yard line, on the ensuing drive ended up settling for a 25-yard Austin Parkerfield goal to head into the locker room trailing 7-3. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674173&DB_OEM_ID=4200
The Blue Devil defense was outstanding after Pitt’s initial score, forcing a pair of missed field goals and keeping the Panthers off the scoreboard. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674173&DB_OEM_ID=4200
Ben Humphrey’s led the defensive charge overall in the game with 11 tackles, eight solo efforts and one sack. Jeremy McDuffie and Joe Giles -Harrisall had eight apiece. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674173&DB_OEM_ID=4200
The second half was a different story offensively with the Blue Devils and Panthers combining for 268 yards and 21 points in third quarter alone and 493 yards and 31 points in the second half overall. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674173&DB_OEM_ID=4200
Duke used a 59-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Wilson and a 39-yard strike by Jones to Rahming to jump in front of Pittsburgh 17-7 late in the third quarter. The touchdown was Rahming’s first of the season, while the 59-yard catch and run was the longest of Wilson’s career. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674173&DB_OEM_ID=4200
Duke’s defense continued to come up with crucial plays, one of which was a Giles-Harris fourth-down stop to give the Blue Devils the ball back on offense at their own 43-yard line and set up the Rahming touchdown for the 17-7 lead. Giles-Harris was credited with eight tackles, four solo stops and three tackles for loss. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674173&DB_OEM_ID=4200
Pittsburgh’s Hall answered right away with a 92-yard run up the right sideline to make it 17-14 after three quarters. Hall put the Panthers in front for good in the fourth quarter with a four-yard scamper into the end zone after a 49-yard simultaneous catch went to Pittsburgh and set up a first down from the 11-yard line. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674173&DB_OEM_ID=4200
The Panthers, holding Duke to just 84 yards in the fourth quarter, tacked on a 45-yard field goal from Alex Kessmann with 1:41 remaining to make it a 24-17 game and force the Blue Devils to travel the length of the field to tie the game, which ultimately ended in an interception. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674173&DB_OEM_ID=4200
As for Virginia Tech's last game, they routed North Carolina.
Virginia Tech quarterback Josh Jackson threw three touchdown passes and the Hokies’ defense added two scores to carry the No. 14 Hokies to a 59-7 victory over North Carolina in an ACC game played Saturday at Lane Stadium. "according to http://www.hokiesports.com/football/recaps/20171021aab.html
With the win, Tech moved to 6-1 overall, 2-1 in the ACC and beat the Tar Heels for the 11th time in 14 games since joining the ACC. North Carolina (1-7, 0-5 ACC) lost its fifth straight game. "according to http://www.hokiesports.com/football/recaps/20171021aab.html
Tech looked rested and focused coming off a bye week and played that way, scoring in all three phases of the game in the first half and bolting out to a 35-0 halftime lead. Tech scored twice on defense, getting the first score of the game on a 12-yard fumble return for a touchdown from defensive tackle Ricky Walker in what served as a foreshadowing of things to come for the Tar Heels. "according to http://www.hokiesports.com/football/recaps/20171021aab.html
The Hokies added a 91-yard punt return for a touchdown by Greg Stroman – his second punt return for a score this season – and a 69-yard interception return for a touchdown from defensive back Reggie Floyd. "according to http://www.hokiesports.com/football/recaps/20171021aab.html
Jackson threw scoring tosses of 4, 8 and 8 yards, and he finished with 132 yards passing on an afternoon in which he only played a little more than two quarters. The Hokies finished with 383 yards of offense. "according to http://www.hokiesports.com/football/recaps/20171021aab.html
North Carolina only ventured into Virginia Tech territory three times, turned the ball over three times, and finished with 172 yards. "according to http://www.hokiesports.com/football/recaps/20171021aab.html
GAME NOTES
• Cam Phillips became Tech’s all-time leader in receptions after catching five passes for 49 yards and a touchdown against the Tar Heels. The five catches give him 212 in his career, enabling him to pass Isaiah Ford (210) into first place on the list. "according to http://www.hokiesports.com/football/recaps/20171021aab.html
• Jackson’s three touchdown passes give him 16 on the season. He ranks second in the ACC in touchdown passes behind Louisville’s Lamar Jackson (17). "according to http://www.hokiesports.com/football/recaps/20171021aab.html
• Tech’s 59 points were its most ever in an ACC game. The Hokies scored in a Thursday night win over Maryland in 2004. "according to http://www.hokiesports.com/football/recaps/20171021aab.html
• Tech’s 59 points were the most it has scored in a conference game since putting up 62 in a 1999 win over Temple. "according to http://www.hokiesports.com/football/recaps/20171021aab.html
• Tech last scored in all three phases of the game in a 2015 win at Purdue. The Hokies last scored two touchdowns on defense in the same game in 2008 loss at Boston College."according to http://www.hokiesports.com/football/recaps/20171021aab.html
Kick-off is set for 7:20pm. The game will be televised on the ACC Network. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22680&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211674711&DB_OEM_ID=4200