Duke Opens The Season With Alabama In Atlanta

Duke’s 2019 season gets underway in Atlanta on Saturday but they’re in for a tough test against number two Alabama of the South Eastern Conference at the Chick Fil-A Kick-Off Game at Mercedes Benz Stadium that is home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons who is a member of the NFC South.

The last time Duke and Alabama met was September 18th 2010 when Nick Saban and Alabama came to Durham and dismantled David Cutcliffe and Duke.

The Duke Blue Devils faced off against the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday Sept. 18, in front of a capacity crowd of 39,042 at Wallace Wade Stadium, marking the highest attendance since 1991. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=204996770

Alabama (3-0, 0-0 SEC) was led by quarterback Greg McElroy with 258 passing yards and three touchdowns and running back Mark Ingram, who rushed for 151 yards on nine carries. The Crimson Tide offense racked up 626 yards on offense, jumping out to a 28-0 lead en route to the 62-13 victory. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=204996770

Duke (1-2, 0-1 ACC) quarterback Sean Renfree threw for 144 yards and a touchdown in the loss, while running back Josh Snead ran for 83 yards on the day. Snead finished the day with 187 all-purpose yards, ranking him eighth all-time among Duke freshmen. Receivers Donovan Varner and Austin Kelly combined for 11 catches and 101 yards to pace the Blue Devils. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=204996770

Blue Devil freshman linebacker Kelby Brown made his collegiate debut, making an immediate impact with a sack, 1.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. Junior Lee Butler made a highlight reel interception in the second quarter as Duke forced two turnovers for the third consecutive game. The interception was the second of Butler's career. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=204996770

On the opening drive, Alabama rolled down the field as McElroy connected with wide receiver Darius Hanks for a nine-yard pass into the end zone. The Crimson Tide made it 14-0 with McElroy completing an 18-yard pass to wide receiver Julio Jones. Ingram added two more touchdowns for the Tide to push the Crimson Tide's lead to 28-0. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=204996770

The Blue Devils put their first points on the board late in the first quarter on a 22-yard field goal by redshirt junior Will Snyderwine, but trailed 28-3 at the end of the period. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=204996770

Alabama added to its lead six minutes into the second quarter as McElroy hit Preston Dial for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Duke responded with a seven-play drive capped by Snyderwine's  42-yard field goal with six minutes remaining in the first half, bringing the score to 35-6. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=204996770

On the ensuing, Alabama running back Trent Richardson returned the ball for a 91-yard kick-off return. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=204996770

Duke answered on its next drive, registering its first touchdown of the afternoon and the first against the Crimson Tide by a team this season. Led by five completions by Renfree for 50 yards and highlighted by a 19-yard pass to Varner that pushed Duke into Alabama territory. Eleven plays and 46 yards later, Renfree connected with Kelly for an 11-yard strike. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=204996770

Alabama added a 44-yard field goal to enter halftime with a 45-13 advantage. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=204996770

The Crimson Tide added two touchdowns and a field goal in the second half as Duke was unable to narrow the deficit any further. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=204996770

The Blue Devil defense was led by Matt Daniels and Kenny Anunike with six tackles apiece. Daniels posted 1.5 tackles for loss and forced the fumble recovered by Brown in the third quarter.”according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=204996770

As for how each team finished 2018,

Duke finished with an overall record of 8-5 and went to the Walk-On’s Independence Bowl where they defeated Temple.

Redshirt junior quarterback Daniel Jones threw for 423 yards and five touchdowns, senior wide receiver T.J. Rahming caught 12 passes for 240 yards and two scores, and Duke blew past Temple, 56-27, in the Walk-On's Independence Bowl on Thursday. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211785096

Duke (8-5) snapped a two-game losing streak by putting on an offensive show. The Blue Devils scored touchdowns on seven straight drives, flipping a 27-14 deficit in the second quarter to a 56-27 lead by midway through the fourth quarter. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211785096

Jones' five touchdown passes and 423 yards passing both set Independence Bowl records as did Duke's 56 points. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211785096

The Blue Devils, who won their third consecutive bowl game, now own four seasons with eight or more wins in the last six years, the most successful stretch for the program since four in six from 1938-43. “according http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211785096

Head coach David Cutcliffe won his fourth Independence Bowl. He led Ole Miss to victories in Shreveport in 1998, 1999 and 2002 and is enshrined in the bowl's Hall of Honor. Cutcliffe won his third bowl game with the Blue Devils, the most for any Duke head coach in program history. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211785096

Temple (8-5) lost for just the second time in its past eight games. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211785096

The Owls took a 13-7 lead in the first half after Delvon Randall's 52-yard interception return for a touchdown. It was the 10th game this season in which they scored a non-offensive touchdown. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211785096

Temple pushed ahead 27-14 late in the second quarter, but Duke responded with 22-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Rahming to pull within 27-21 by halftime. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211785096

Temple's Anthony Russo completed 25 of 46 passes for 228 yards, one touchdown and one interception. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211785096

Meanwhile Alabama finished the 2018 season with an overall record of 14-1 and unlike Duke lost their postseason game to Clemson who is ranked number one to open the 2019 season who like Duke is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference but they’re in different divisions as Duke is in the Coastal Division while Clemson is in the Atlantic Division. “according to http://theacc.com/standings.aspx?standings=35&path=football

The No. 1 Alabama football team fell against No. 2 Clemson, 44-16, in the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship Game in Levi's Stadium Monday night in Santa Clara, Calif. The Crimson Tide ends the season at 14-1, while the Tigers finish at 15-0. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/1/7/no-1-alabama-falls-to-no-2-clemson-in-2019-college-football-playoff-national-championship-game-44-16.aspx

Sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa finished the game 22-of-34 for 295 yards to go along with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Sophomore wide out Jerry Jeudy ended the contest with five catches for 139 yards and a score. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/1/7/no-1-alabama-falls-to-no-2-clemson-in-2019-college-football-playoff-national-championship-game-44-16.aspx

On defense, sophomore defensive back Xavier McKinney had seven tackles and a pass breakup, while junior linebacker Mack Wilson and senior defensive end Isaiah Buggs each had six tackles. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/1/7/no-1-alabama-falls-to-no-2-clemson-in-2019-college-football-playoff-national-championship-game-44-16.aspx

Alabama opened on defense, forcing Clemson into a three-and-out. On the Tide's third offensive play, Tagovailoa was picked off by A.J. Terrell who took the ball 44 yards for a touchdown. Clemson led 7-0 with 13:20 on the first quarter clock. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/1/7/no-1-alabama-falls-to-no-2-clemson-in-2019-college-football-playoff-national-championship-game-44-16.aspx

Tagovailoa quickly bounced back with a 62-yard touchdown strike to Jeudy to cap a three-play, 75-yard scoring drive. Redshirt freshman Joseph Bulovas' extra point tied the game at 7-7 with 12:05 remaining in the opening quarter. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/1/7/no-1-alabama-falls-to-no-2-clemson-in-2019-college-football-playoff-national-championship-game-44-16.aspx

A minute and a half later the Tigers found the end zone after connecting for a 62-yard pitch-and-catch of their own before finishing off the drive with a 17-yard rush from Travis Etienne to take the 14-7 with 10:35 on the clock. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/1/7/no-1-alabama-falls-to-no-2-clemson-in-2019-college-football-playoff-national-championship-game-44-16.aspx

Alabama battled back by going on a methodical 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, with Tagovailoa finding senior tight end Hale Hentges wide open in the back of the end zone for the one-yard score. Bulovas' extra point was no good, giving the Tigers a 14-13 advantage with 6:23 to go in the first.”according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/1/7/no-1-alabama-falls-to-no-2-clemson-in-2019-college-football-playoff-

Following a Clemson three-and-out, the Tide took the 16-14 lead with 14:18 remaining in the second quarter after Bulovas converted a 25-yard field goal to cap an 11-play, 45-yard drive. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/1/7/no-1-alabama-falls-to-no-2-clemson-in-2019-college-football-playoff-national-championship-game-44-16.aspx

The Tigers answered by driving 65 yards in 11 plays, capped by an Etienne one-yard run to put Clemson up 21-16 with 11:38 to go before halftime. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/1/7/no-1-alabama-falls-to-no-2-clemson-in-2019-college-football-playoff-national-championship-game-44-16.aspx

The Tigers got the ball back after Tagovailoa's second interception was returned 46 yards to the UA 47-yard line. Eight plays later, the Tigers found the end zone for the fourth time in the half when quarterback Trevor Lawrence linked up with Etienne from five yards out to go up 28-16 with 4:38 left before the halftime break. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/1/7/no-1-alabama-falls-to-no-2-clemson-in-2019-college-football-playoff-national-championship-game-44-16.aspx

The Tigers extended their lead to 31-16 and carried the lead into the half after a 36-yard field goal with 45 seconds to go. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/1/7/no-1-alabama-falls-to-no-2-clemson-in-2019-college-football-playoff-national-championship-game-44-16.aspx

In the first half, Alabama outgained Clemson 266-224 while controlling the ball for 19:26 of the first 30 minutes of action. “according https://rolltide.com/news/2019/1/7/no-1-alabama-falls-to-no-2-clemson-in-2019-college-football-playoff-national-championship-game-44-16.aspx

Alabama drove the ball down the field to begin the second half but came up empty after a fake field goal attempt failed. On the ensuing Clemson drive, the Tigers connected for a 74-yard touchdown throw to go up 37-16 with 8:26 left in the third quarter. Later in the third, CU went on a 12-play, 89-yard drive capped by a five-yard throw-and-catch to push the lead to 44-16 with 21 seconds in the quarter. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/1/7/no-1-alabama-falls-to-no-2-clemson-in-2019-college-football-playoff-national-championship-game-44-16.aspx

The two sides traded possessions in the final quarter, with no further scoring. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/1/7/no-1-alabama-falls-to-no-2-clemson-in-2019-college-football-playoff-national-championship-game-44-16.aspx

Kick-off is set for 3:30pm from Mercedes Benz Stadium. The game will be televised on ABC.